With its sun-drenched sands and Mediterranean waters, Sicily has been a favoured destination of travellers for centuries. History is alive on this island, from ancient accounts of the Greeks, Romans, Arabs and Normans; to the journals of wealthy young European men embarking on the Grand Tour. This book captures the sun-steeped aesthetic of the island, while detailing the restoration of one of its finest attractions: the Di Lorenzo del Castelluccio palace. Marquis de Castelluccio was one of the last servals or leopards of Sicily
wealthy aristocrats who flooded the island with luxury. Following his death, his home fell to ruin. A half-century later, Jean-Louis Remilleux fell in love with this dilapidated 18th-century palace and made it his mission to restore it. Unveiled for the first time in this beautifully illustrated book, the Di Lorenzo del Castelluccio palazzo is one of the finest testaments to Sicilian architecture and art. Today, lush green palm trees welcome you to the palace’s imposing front facade. Frescoes, arabesques, masks, imitation marble, ceilings and wainscoting have all restored to their former glory, over decades of elaborate work. This book charts the restoration process and celebrates the astonishing end results. It contains an album’s worth of photographs that capture the beauty of this palace beneath the Mediterranean sun.
AUTHOR: Jean-Louis Remilleux is the television producer behind Secrets d'Histoire , a popular French show that delves into mythical characters from history. He has authored several interview books with figures such as Jacques Verges and Michel Serrault. In addition to the Di Lorenzo del Castelluccio palace, his passion for art and history has led him to restore the castle of Groussay, in Montfort l'Amaury, and the castle of Digoine, in Burgundy. He is an Honorary Citizen of Noto, where the Di Lorenzo del Castelluccio palace is located. SELLING POINTS: . A photographic exploration of a Baroque masterpiece, now returned to its former glory . The stunning restoration of the beautiful Di Lorenzo del Castelluccio palace in Sicily . Wonderfully evocative and full of beautiful imagery. A treat for lovers of Lampedusa’s The Leopard . An inspiring insight into palatial interiors and gardens