History

Palazzo Ajutamicristo takes its name after Guglielmo Ajutamicristo, baron of Misilmeri and Calatafimi, who had it built for his family between 1495-1501.

A banker of Pisan origin, he had grown wealthy over a few decades trading in Sicilian cheese and cereals. Tired of his castle in Misilmeri, he had long wanted to build a "Domus Magna", which would reflect his wealth and which would serve as an ornament for the city of Palermo.

The opportunity arose when the distinguished architect Matteo Carnilivari came to Palermo. He was entrusted with the building of the Palazzo on the road to Termini Gate (amongst other important buildings, such as Palazzo Abatellis, which is nowadays the Regional Art Gallery). Because of the expense, the initially grandiose plans had to be modified and the Palazzo was only partially completed.

At that time Palazzo Ajutamicristo was the favourite place of abode for many notable figures. In 1500, Queen Giovanna, the wife of King Don Ferrante of Naples stayed there; in 1535 it hosted the Emperor Charles V, as Palermo's Royal Palace was not considered sufficiently grand; in 1544 the King of Tunisia, Muley Hassan, stayed there, shortly before being blinded by his son Ajaja; in 1576 King Philip's brother, Don Juan of Austria, who had been victorious at Lepanto (where admiral Marcantonio Calefati had served at the head of the pisan fleet) was also hosted there.

In 1588 Margherita Ajutamicristo rented the Palazzo to Francesco Moncada, first prince of Paternò, for an annual sum of 390 ounces. Soon afterwards he was to become the owner.

In XIX century the Moncada family sold the ownership of the palace to Baron Calefati di Canalotti and the Tasca d'Almerita family; the Calefati house still holds to this day its share of the property, while the other half was purchased by the local authority Regione Siciliana.