Palma was founded in 1637 by the twins Carlo and Giulio Tomasi — ancestors of Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa — and "The Leopard" still breathes in these stones: the Tomasi ducal palace, the Benedictine monastery where the novel's "blessed Corbera" withdrew, the mother church atop its theatrical staircase. The prince's readers come here looking for Donnafugata, and find something of it.
Around, the Agrigento countryside of almonds and wheat descends toward Marina di Palma. A real town, not a film set: which is exactly what makes it memorable.
The Palma di Montechiaro guide
Near Palma di Montechiaro
The closest destinations covered by our editors, with straight-line distance.
