Palazzo dei Normanni
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Main façade of the Norman Palace, facing Piazza del Parlamento.
Official nameRoyal Palace
LocationPalermo, Sicily, Italy
Part ofArab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale
CriteriaCultural: (ii), (iv)
Reference1487-001
Inscription2015 (39th Session)
Coordinates38°06′39″N 13°21′11″E / 38.11083°N 13.35306°E / 38.11083; 13.35306
Palazzo dei Normanni is located in Sicily
Palazzo dei Normanni
Location of Palazzo dei Normanni in Sicily
Palazzo dei Normanni is located in Italy
Palazzo dei Normanni
Palazzo dei Normanni (Italy)

The Palazzo dei Normanni (Sicilian: Palazzu dî Nurmanni, Palazzu Riali; 'Norman Palace') is also called Royal Palace of Palermo. It was the seat of the Kings of Sicily with the Hauteville dynasty and served afterwards as the main seat of power for the subsequent rulers of Sicily. Since 1946 it has been the seat of the Sicilian Regional Assembly. The building is the oldest royal residence in Europe; and was the private residence of the rulers of the Kingdom of Sicily and the imperial seat of Frederick II and Conrad IV.

History

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Norman Palace, was built on the highest point of the city, above a Punic structure discovered in 1984 beneath the Duke of Montalto Halls. During Arab rule, the earliest nucleus of the building arose between the rivers Kemonia and Papireto, designed with defensive features typical of fortresses. It was known as "Qsar," a term of Arabic origin denoting not just a castle but a military stronghold.[1]

Following the Norman conquest in 1072, the palace underwent extensive reconstruction and expansion, transforming from a fortress into a royal residence and administrative hub. In 1130, after the coronation of Roger II of Altavilla—the first Norman king of Sicily—the Palatine Chapel was constructed, becoming a symbol of cultural and religious synthesis.[1][2]

The palace's core was marked by four towers and included facilities such as workshops and textile laboratories (tiraz). It served as the seat of successive Norman courts, including those of Roger II, William I (known as "the Mean"), and William II ("the Good"), who oversaw a remarkable confluence of diverse cultures.[1]

Frederick II of Swabia, grandson of Roger II and son of Henry VI of Hohenstaufen and Constance of Altavilla, continued this legacy. Though he governed Palermo only in his youth, he played a pivotal role in its administration and in fostering cultural life, notably supporting the Sicilian School of poetry.[1]

After a period of decline during the Angevin and Aragonese rule, the palace was revitalized under the Spanish viceroys in the late 16th century. This phase saw the addition of new architectural elements with both representative and military functions, including the Fountain Courtyard (1584) and the Maqueda Courtyard (1600).[1]

During the Bourbon period, the palace saw further development, particularly in the decoration of the Hercules Hall. Today, the Royal Palace serves as the seat of the Sicilian Regional Assembly.[1]

Cappella Palatina

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The palace contains the Cappella Palatina,[3] by far the best example of the so-called Norman–Arab–Byzantine style that prevailed in the 12th-century Sicily. The wonderful mosaics, the wooden roof, elaborately fretted and painted, and the marble incrustation of the lower part of the walls and the floor are very fine.[4] Of the palace itself the greater part was rebuilt and added in Aragonese times, but there are some other parts of Roger's work left, specially the hall called Sala Normanna.[4]

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  • Seat of the Sicilian Regional Assembly
    Seat of the Sicilian Regional Assembly
  • A side view of the Palace
    A side view of the Palace
  • Side wall of the Palace
    Side wall of the Palace
  • Norman wing
    Norman wing
  • Detail
    Detail
  • The Gallery of the Palace in 1686
    The Gallery of the Palace in 1686
  • Cappella Palatina
    Cappella Palatina

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "The Royal Palace of Palermo". Federico II Foundation. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  2. ^ "Palermo Buildings and Monuments". Nozio. Retrieved 7 December 2017. The palace houses the spectacular Cappella Palatina inside, which was also built by the Normans
  3. ^ "Palazzo dei Normanni". Trip Historic. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  4. ^ a b Freeman, Edward Augustus; Ashby, Thomas (1911). "Palermo" . In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 20 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 599.
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