Palazzo Duchi di Santo Stefano
Palazzo Duchi di Santo Stefano
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4.0
53 reviews
Excellent
21
Very good
23
Average
7
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Peter H
Hove, UK90 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
When you've walked the length of the main street in Taormina, tasted the delectable cannoli Siciliani and shopped until you're fit to drop, take the short route downhill just inside the Porta Catania (Catania Gate) to the Fondazione G. Mazzullo where peace and quiet reign in a small but well-manicured garden featuring some of the great works of the sculptor and artist, Giuseppe Mazzullo (born in Graniti on 15 Feb. 1913; died in Taormina on 25 August 1988). Not only are some of his works on the walls and on plinths in this garden but also inside the Palazzo itself to which, when civil ceremonies are not being held within, entrance is free. His art may be found in Venice and elsewhere abroad also, so take a stroll amongst these lovely works. This is an unsung corner of Taormina that deserves far greater recognition. I hope a few photos I took there will whet your appetite for art.
Written 14 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ian
Dorset, UK131 contributions
Sept 2019
Tiny place of the main walkway of Taormina town. The gardens were well kept and looking lovely, some interesting pieces of sculpture and you can see more inside and learn more with the help of a very friendly lady who works there .
Written 10 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liminlady
Sarasota, Florida155 contributions
Nov 2018 • Friends
This 14-15th century structure exhibits moorish influences as well as Roman
It is now a private venue but the exterior is well worth the short walk from the main area of Taormina
Interesting sculptures and gardens abound
We had a lovely view of it in the evening from our restaurant
It is now a private venue but the exterior is well worth the short walk from the main area of Taormina
Interesting sculptures and gardens abound
We had a lovely view of it in the evening from our restaurant
Written 19 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
denise l
Bexhill-on-Sea, UK591 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
Coming over from England for my son's wedding, none of us knew what to expect from the Palazzo.
However, it was full of character, a medieval building. A red carpet into the venue with flowers draped up the banister stairs and on the chairs so it was pretty.
This is much nicer than the usual Register Office wedding and gave many photo opportunities in the building and outside in the grounds.
However, it was full of character, a medieval building. A red carpet into the venue with flowers draped up the banister stairs and on the chairs so it was pretty.
This is much nicer than the usual Register Office wedding and gave many photo opportunities in the building and outside in the grounds.
Written 21 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jan g
Lancashire, UK131 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
A most delightful venue for a wedding. Red carpet right from the gate, through the courtyard which is graced by interesting sculptures, lemon and orange trees and a fabulous jacaranda tree. Inside the Palazzo is perfect for the ceremony - intimate and authentically Sicilian, and so romantic.
Written 3 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erica G
Adelaide, Australia47 contributions
Sept 2016 • Friends
Slightly off the beaten track of Taormina's main street, this is a beautiful villa set in beautiful gardens. Definitely worth a look.
Written 25 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anda D
Bucharest486 contributions
Jan 2016 • Family
The palace is a beautiful construction - inside very few old sculptures and upstairs a modern painting gallery - not impressive
Written 16 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
saronic
Zurich, Switzerland28,818 contributions
May 2019
Not far from the Piazza del Duomo is a monument, which is worthwile having a look at, even only from the outside, because of its mixture of beautifully crafted architectonical elements - in Gothic, Norman and Arab style. The Palazzo Duchi di Santo Stefano. The owners - till the mid-20th century, when the community of Taormina took over - were the family of Spanish origin 'De Spuches', who also had the title of 'Dukes di Santo Stefano'.
There is a not too well kept garden around it and the inside can only be visited, when in summer a cultural event takes place.
There is a not too well kept garden around it and the inside can only be visited, when in summer a cultural event takes place.
Written 25 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ViaBen
Greater London, UK901 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
The palazzo was built between the XIV and XV centuries at the western limit of Taormina and is part of the town fortifications.
Gothic and imposing, it now hosts the Fondazione Mazzullo that is dedicated to Sicilian sculptor and artist Giueppe Mazzullo. Quite a few of his (forgettable) sculptures are displayed on the first floor of the palace and in the shabbily maintained gardens. No information at all about anything around the place.
My impression was of an unloved and unkempt place - with some TLC this could really be beautiful.
Gothic and imposing, it now hosts the Fondazione Mazzullo that is dedicated to Sicilian sculptor and artist Giueppe Mazzullo. Quite a few of his (forgettable) sculptures are displayed on the first floor of the palace and in the shabbily maintained gardens. No information at all about anything around the place.
My impression was of an unloved and unkempt place - with some TLC this could really be beautiful.
Written 24 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JGandIG
Wigan, UK268 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
Close to Porta Catania. Viewed it from the outside on two sides. Lovely architecture. Worth having a look at it.
Written 25 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How far is this venue from hotel isobella?
Written 2 September 2018
How can I book a civil wedding here without goi g through wedding planners? I can’t find an email address or booking form on the internet anywhere.
Written 8 November 2017
Any luck? as i would also love to book here for our wedding?
Written 23 September 2018
lauratarney
Cardiff, United Kingdom
Can someone tell me how to book this venue for a civil ceremony without going through a wedding planner please?
Written 2 October 2017
Hi Laura
Did you find out how to contact them. I am in Australia and have the same problem. If you have any information can you let me know and I will let you know a,so if I find put anything.
Cheers Moria
Written 9 November 2017
lauratarney
Cardiff, United Kingdom
Hi,
Can someone tell me please how to book this venue for a civil ceremony?
Thanks
Written 2 October 2017
You don’t need a wedding planner, if your only having a small so. Just common sense and a little info. I’ve also heard the hotels will help out with it all also. You’ll save heaps and can spend that on something nice to celebrate.
I couldn’t paste links (system won’t let it) but the email for Palazza duchi can be found if you google Statocivile Taormina. It’s the ufficio statocivile commune Taormina one.
Get on google translate and ask them to send you the link to the booking form and link to the payment details.
Wikihow has an excellent site “getting married in Italy” with good info about the process and documents needed. Australian Embassy site has clear info also even if your not Australian it is very helpful in the explanation of the process.
I also found the translated copy of italian civil vows. Can be found if you do a google search for “Italian civil wedding vows translation” it’s on a site called “myitalianweddding”
You don’t need an offical interpreter (there is no such qualification) just someone who speaks good english and Italian and who translate at the wedding (which takes about half hour) and 3 days before at the office when you submit your documents. Potentially a hotel staff member could do this or air bnb host, or they could possibly recommend someone who you could pay a small fee to.
Good luck!!
Written 13 November 2017
13-28 September there is an exhibition Yaik Pen'Du. h 10-13; 16-21.
Written 24 September 2016
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