It is presently a museum displaying Whitaker's natural history and archaeological collections, as well as his artwork.

It was designed by the architect Ignazio Greco and represents a synthesis of Neo-Renaissance and Eclecticism styles.

The state rooms were frescoed with a rich floral trompe-l’oeil decoration by Ettore De Maria Bergler.

Other smaller rooms have Flemish tapestries with scenes from the Aeneid and frescoes by Rocco Lentini and stuccoes by Salvatore Valenti.

The Whitaker family knew artists like Richard Wagner and the imperial dynasties of Great Britain, Germany and Russia.