THE ROOM: the neoclassical entrance hall branches off onto a double flight of stairs decorated with four carved canopic vases in pietra pece, the same local stone used for the flooring. Traces of the original Pompeiian-style faux marble paintwork recall the elegance of the Belle Époque.

TRADITIONS: the entrance hall now houses an authentic landau carriage from the nineteenth century. It was used above all for long journeys and fitted with adjustable glass windows. The carriage was drawn by two or four horses and made from high-quality materials, including fine wood and leather upholstery, combining durability with elegance. Around it, large trunks and chests form the travel kit of a bygone age. Some are personalised with initials and numbered in sequence; other still bear railway travel labels. Inside, they would have held everything from clothing, blankets and linens to tableware and other essentials. Of particular interest here are two original forerunners of the modern-day travelling necessaire. Often made from precious materials such as silver, leather and ivory, these cases contained a variety of essential tools and accessories for personal care and beauty. In the nineteenth century, ladies would never travel without mirrors, small combs, perfume and cosmetic bottles, and sometimes even small needlework and mending kits. Gentlemen, meanwhile, might carry candles, writing sets, small bottles of liquor, boxes for seeds and flowers, letters and other precious travel souvenirs. These nécessaires were genuine objects of fine design, often decorated with elaborate engravings or coloured enamels, and served as clear markers of social status.

AND CUSTOMS: the household coachman, known in Sicilian as u gnuri, was a traditional figure in Sicilian culture. He played an important role in social life, as he was someone who knew not only the roads, but also local traditions and customs. He might be described as a ‘man of standing’: influential and respected within the community, someone to be treated with deference, sometimes even out of fear of the consequences. Within his own sphere, he held certain decision-making power and exercised an almost authoritative severity, while remaining devoted to the family he served. Simply put, he was a man who knew exactly what he was about…