Giardino Garibaldi

Green spaces are rare in Palermo, but Piazza Marina is home to one of the city’s most charming: the Giardino Garibaldi. Created in the 19th century by the architect Basile, the garden blends a touch of romance with a slightly wild atmosphere.

Inside, you’ll find palm trees, magnolias, giant banyans, and above all its star resident: a massive ficus planted in 1845, originally from Australia. With its sprawling roots and tangled branches, it’s considered one of the largest trees in Europe. The numbers speak for themselves: about 25 meters high, 21 meters across, and shading more than 1,200 square meters.In other words, a natural sunshade for the summer! But the Giardino Garibaldi isn’t a perfectly ordered garden: here, nature has kept a bit of freedom, which gives the place an authentic feel, very different from the neat English-style parks.

As you stroll, you’ll also come across the statue of Garibaldi, the national hero of Italian unification, along with busts of famous Sicilians. It’s hard to imagine that Piazza Marina once hosted trials and executions during the Inquisition. Today, the garden is free to enter and has become a peaceful retreat for locals and visitors alike, right in the middle of the old town.