Il Palazzo comunale di Castellana Grotte, uno dei più belli del comprensorio, sorse originariamente, come convento dei Frati Francescani. Entrandovi, sulla sinistra, si nota un bel chiostro che risale alla fine del ‘500. Dell’antico convento sopravvivono ancora alcune celle, attualmente adibite ad uffici pubblici. Il Palazzo, così come lo conosciamo oggi, fu modificato agli inizi del ’900. I locali a pian terreno con le volte a botte rimasero intatti, mentre i muri esterni furono demoliti e ricostruiti con nobili sembianze.
Il palazzo, così come lo conosciamo oggi, fu restaurato agli inizi del ’900. I locali al pian terreno, con le volte a botte, rimasero intatti, mentre i muri esterni furono demoliti e ricostruiti con nobili sembianze. Lasciando invariata la planimetria, fu rifatto lo scalone di accesso al primo piano, vennero cambiati i gradini, fu sistemata l’elegante balaustra ed aggiunte le colonne che sostengono i due archi decorativi. Durante i lavori furono ricavati due grandi ambienti con le volte affrescate: uno è oggi la Sala Consiliare e l’altro la Sala delle Cerimonie la cui volta, decorata da Alfio Tomaselli, offre ai visitatori uno scorcio di Italia risorgimentale.
Il Palazzo ospita una quadreria permanente di ottanta tele di Sergio Nicolò de Bellis. Nato nel 1898, l’artista si formò all’Accademia di Brera ed espose alle prime Biennali di Venezia. Due sue opere sono attualmente esposte alla Galleria d’Arte Moderna di Milano.

The Town Hall of Castellana Grotte, arguably one of the most beautiful in the area, was originally built as a Convent for the Franciscan friars. Upon entering the building, on the left, one will notice the cloister that dates back the late 16th century. Interestingly, some cells of the ancient convent still exist nowadays, even though they now serve as public offices.
The palace, as we know it today, was renovated in the early 1900’s. The palace, as we know it today, was renovated in the early 1900’s. The rooms on the ground floor, with their vaulted ceilings, have remained intact, whilst the outer walls were demolished and rebuilt to give it a noble appearance, similar to the other city buildings.
The planimetry has remained unchanged, whilst the main staircase leading up to the first floor was rebuilt: the steps were changed, the elegant balustrade was restored and the two columns that support the two decorative arches were added.
As part of the renovation, two large rooms with decorated ceilings have been obtained. One is now used as Council Chamber and the other as Hall of Ceremonies. In this last one the vault, decorated by Alfio Tomaselli, offers visitors a glimpse of the Italian Risorgimento.
The building houses a permanent display of eighty paintings by Sergio Nicolò de Bellis, from Castellana Grotte. He was born in 1898 and trained at the Brera Academy. He exhibited at the first Biennale Exhibition in Venice. Two of his works are currently exposed at the Modern Art Gallery in Milan.