Palazzo dei Normanni

Overview

The Palazzo dei Normanni (Palace of the Normans) is the oldest royal residence in Europe, sitting on the highest point of Palermo's ancient core. Originally built in the 9th century as an Arab emir's fortress, it was expanded by the Norman kings into a sumptuous palace and today serves as the seat of the Sicilian Regional Assembly.

Highlights

• Cappella Palatina: The palace's crowning jewel, a chapel entirely covered in gold-ground Byzantine mosaics.
• Sala di Re Ruggero: King Roger's room, decorated with secular mosaic scenes of hunting and exotic animals.
• Royal Apartments: Restored halls showing the evolution from Arab to Norman to Spanish Bourbon rule.

History

The site was first fortified by the Phoenicians. The Arabs built a qasr (castle) here in the 9th century, and the Norman ruler Roger II transformed it into a royal palace around 1130. The Spanish viceroys added the southern façade in the 16th century.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Buy tickets online to skip queues, especially in summer.
• Tip 2: The Cappella Palatina can close during parliamentary sessions — check the schedule.
• Duration: 1.5–2 hours.