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Did you know that in Sicily, just a short distance from Partinico in the province of Palermo, you could be catapulted into beautiful Barcelona? If you are planning a visit to Sicily, we suggest you drop by this “Sicilian Barcelona”. We are talking about Borgo Parrini, a small village or rather a hamlet of Partinico (PA), in which there are pretty houses inspired by the art of the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudì, famous for his most ambitious work, the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

How did this little artistic village come about? The origins of Borgo Parrini date back to the period between the 16th and 17th centuries, when the Jesuit Fathers of the Novitiate of Palermo decided to buy some agricultural land near the Partinico area. The name of the small village comes from the Jesuit Fathers: Parrini, in fact, in Sicilian dialect means ‘Priests’, so it would literally be the Village of Priests.

In 1700 the Jesuits built the Church of Maria SS del Rosario, which became the centre of the small village. In the surrounding area, the Jesuit fathers built towers, mills, warehouses and houses for the settlers. At the end of 1760, the French prince Henri D’Orleans took over the land, establishing a flourishing farm, where grapes were grown to produce fine wine that was then exported between France and Germany.

After the war, the inhabitants moved to the big cities, leaving the village in a state of neglect.

After becoming a ‘ghost town’, it was recovered by a few citizens who decided to take care of what remained, with the help of the local painter and entrepreneur Giuseppe Gaglio, who decided to revalue some of the village’s properties by drawing inspiration from the art of the architect Gaudi.

In a short space of time, the village has come back to life with vibrant colours, designs, mosaics and completely renovated cobbled streets. The houses, for example, have been repainted in vibrant colours such as yellow and blue, bringing to mind the colours of the warm Sicilian sun and the beautiful sea.

Borgo Parrini is a magical place, a little gem that over the years, thanks mainly to social media, has attracted numerous tourists and onlookers from all over the world, becoming one of the “most Instagrammable places in Italy”. This is all thanks to its small streets surrounded by brightly coloured buildings, embellished with wonderful mosaics and murals, such as the famous “Frida alla luna” by artist Peppe Vaccaro. The walls are also adorned with aphorisms by famous people from the literary world and prominent figures such as Nelson Mandela, Pope John Paul II, Gandhi and even the painter Antoni Gaudi.

The small village can be visited all year round and in any season. During the Christmas period it becomes even more magical, as it hosts an unmissable live nativity scene and it is possible to stay in some of the colourful houses.

Borgo Parrini is a perfect destination to include in an on-the-road trip, especially with the arrival of fine spring days. It can be easily reached by car from Palermo airport: just rent a car with SRC – Sicily Rent Car, such as a Renault Clio or Citroen C3, and continue on the motorway towards Partinico. At the entrance to the village you will find a large car park, easily identifiable, where you can leave your car and walk around the village in complete tranquillity.

What to eat at Borgo Parrini?

For those who wish to stop at Borgo Parrini for lunch, dinner or a quick snack, there are three restaurants – pizzerias (Nu Parrinaro, A Stidda and La Borgatella), a bakery (Antico Panificio da “Za Santa”), an open-air cafeteria and a literary café.

You can enjoy typical Sicilian dishes and some local specialities such as pane cunzatu, a typical sandwich stuffed with tomatoes, anchovies, caciocavallo cheese, oil and a sprinkling of oregano, salt and pepper to add flavour.

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit one of the most curious and lively places in western Sicily: just rent a car with SRC – Sicily Rent Car and set off to discover the fascinating Borgo Parrini. Do not hesitate to contact us for info and reservations, just send an email to booking@sicilyrentcar.it, call +39 091203374 or come and visit us in one of our rental points in Palermo, Catania, Cinisi, Trapani, Comiso, Milazzo and Pisa.