Villa del Pigno

The History of Villa del Pigno - Home of the Florio Institute for the Blind in Palermo

From Origins to Foundation
The roots of the Institute for the Blind date back to 1655, when the Jesuit Father Francesco Drago founded a Confraternity for the blind in Palermo.
After a pause due to the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1767, the work resumed in 1805.
The real turning point came in 1871 with the creation of the Municipal School for the blind, promoted by Councilor Antonino Morvillo.
The Intervention of Ignazio Florio
In 1881, Councilor Camillo Finocchiaro Aprile established a Promoting Committee, which in 1891 welcomed Commendatore Ignazio Florio Jr. as its President.
Florio immediately distinguished himself with a personal offer of 200,000 lire and the promise to donate a building he owned: a complex around Villa del Pigno, previously adapted by his family for industrial purposes.
On July 15, 1891, the Ignazio Florio School, Educatorio, and Hospice for the Blind was thus founded.
After a renovation overseen by the architect La Manna, which included the construction of a second floor, the institute opened its doors to its first 22 boarders on October 22, 1892.
The Union with the Salamone Foundation
In 1894, the institute's history intertwined with that of Francesca Salamone of Mistretta. In her will, she stipulated that her assets be used to found an "Institute for poor blind women".
Given the identical goals, it was decided to merge the two works.
By Royal Decree on October 29, 1898, the Institute for the Blind – United Works of Ignazio Florio and F. & A. Salamone was officially born.
Evolution and Training
Recognized as an "Institution of Instruction and Education" in 1926, the institute continuously expanded its offerings.
In addition to kindergarten, elementary, and middle school, crucial vocational courses for the era were established, such as carpentry, music, wicker weaving, and sewing.
Educational assistance was provided by the Daughters of Saint Anne from 1892 to 1974.
Throughout the 20th century, the institute continued to evolve, introducing courses for telephone switchboard operators (1957), transforming the vocational school into a State Middle School (1962), and establishing specialization courses for teaching staff, constantly adapting to new typhlopedagogical practices.