Parco della Favorita
The Parco della Favorita is a large park in Palermo . It is located north of the city center at the foot of Monte Pellegrino .
The 400 hectare park was created by King Ferdinand III. (Ferdinand IV of Naples, from 1815 Ferdinand I of the two Sicilies). When he had to flee the French troops from Naples to Palermo in 1798, he purchased the property and built his residence in exile here. A small palace, the Palazzina Cinese with oriental stylistic elements, and several farm buildings were built. An avenue led from the park entrance to the palace. On both sides of the avenue, narrow, labyrinthine paths bordered by high hedges were laid out.
Today the extensive park is open to the public. The Palazzina Cinese and the Museo Etnografico Siciliano Giuseppe Pitrè , a folklore museum that was set up in 1909 in one of the farm buildings of the Palazzina Cinese, are worth seeing . Another main attraction, in addition to public tennis and soccer fields, is a harness racing track, where international horse races regularly take place. There is also an equestrian facility, where the Medicavalli international jumping tournament takes place every year in October . At the south end of the park is also the Stadio Renzo Barbera of the football club US Palermo .
Palazzina Cinese
Driveway to the Palazzina Cinese
Remnants of the hedges in the avenue
Access gate to the Favorita
Open space in the park with Monte Pellegrino in the background
Coordinates: 38 ° 9 ′ 44 ″ N , 13 ° 20 ′ 16 ″ E
