Palaces of Palermo (Self Guided), Palermo

Sicily is a reef of survival in all the tsunamis of war and invasions that have washed over the island since ancient times. Successive invasions have ebbed away, leaving behind architecture, culture and DNA.

In the ninth century, on the highest point in the center of the old city, on top of Punic ruins, the Emir of Palermo built his Castle. Pieces of the Punic settlement and the Arab castle can be found under the foundations of the Norman Palace.

The Normans conquered Sicily in 1072, shortly after they had vanquished Saxon England. They established the County of Sicily with Palermo as the capital. They then gave the castle a complete do-over. It was to be the Royal Residence of the Norman kings.

The palace became a complex of buildings connected by arcades. The compound was established as a residence and administrative center wrapped in gardens. In 1132 King Roger II added the fabulous Palatine Chapel, the crown jewel of the Palace. It was consecrated in 1140. He wanted a family chapel.

In reality, the chapel is a three-story basilica. Dedicated to Saint Paul, it is a splendid example of the Arab-Norman-Byzantine architectural styles of 12th century Sicily. The dome, transept and apse are covered with Byzantine mosaics portraying "Christ Pantocrator", the Evangelists and scenes from the bible.

The Angevins, the Aragonese and the Swabians came and went. Spanish viceroys used the Palace as a military HQ. The Bourbons created the Red Room, the Yellow Room and the Green Room and redid the Hall of Hercules, known for its frescoes of Hercules. Then there are the Hall of the Viceroy, the Hall of the Winds and the Hall of Pompeii.

The Maqueda Courtyard and the Courtyard of the Fountain within the Palace are courtyards with three levels of Renaissance loggias and staircases. Of the original four towers, only two, the Pisan Tower and the Treasure Tower, remain.

The Palace is located at the Parlemento Square. The visitor entrance is at the Independence Square.

Why You Should Visit:
If you take in nothing else in Palermo, this is a must. Everything Sicilian is here, past and future.

The Archbishop's Palace was commissioned by Archbishop Beccadelli Simone di Bologna and built in the 15th century. The palace is attached to the cathedral by an arch and an ostentatious Gothic tower. Throughout the centuries, the palace has housed various archbishops.

Today, the palace is home to the Diocesan Museum of Palermo. The museum is housed in 15 rooms and features a variety of religious art.

Visitors will find an 1171 Madonna of the Pearl from Santa Maria del Cancelliere church in Room II. This room also holds various 13th and 14th-century artworks.

Room III houses a variety of crosses. Rooms IV, V, and VI house excavations from the Archaic age, Byzantine period, and medieval era. These excavations are from the Archepiscopal Palace.

In Room VII, visitors will find 15th-century sculptures, such as the marble Madonna by artist Domenico Gagini.

Room VIII contains sculptures from Palermo Cathedral. These 16th-century sculptures were mostly marble bas-reliefs by Antonello Gagini and his students. Room IX displays 17th and 18th century locally crafted sculptures.

Visitors will find paintings by Mario Di Laurito, Pietro Novelli, and assorted 18th-century works in the remaining rooms.

Construction on Palazzo Asmundo began in 1615 and wasn't completed until 1767. The palace has belonged to several different families over the centuries. The Joppolo family sheltered Maria Cristina in the palace. Maria Cristina, daughter of Ferdinand III of Sicily, sought refuge here together with her husband Carlo, Duke of Genoa and Sardinia. Today, a plaque commemorates this event.

In 1764, Giuseppe Asmundo commissioned artist Gioacchino Martorana to paint beautiful frescoes throughout the palace.

Another plaque commemorates the births of painter Anna Turrisi Colonna and her sister Giuseppina in 1821 and 1822.

Today, the palace is home to a museum that features several collections and exhibits. For example, visitors will find a collection of 19th-century porcelain. Visitors will also find a variety of weapons on display and can admire a collection of military postcards. Another exhibit focuses on geographical maps dating from the 16th to the 19th century.

A collection of seals is also on display. Heraldic seals have been used for millennia to identify individuals and families. In addition, these seals were used to authenticate a letter. The earliest seals on display are from the 17th century.

In the courtyard, visitors will see a unique collection of horse-drawn carriages and sedan chairs.

The palace has a small cafe so guests can relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

The Palace of the Eagles is also known as the Praetorian Palace. It houses the mayor's offices and the municipality offices. The palace was built between 1463 and 1478. In 1553, the facade was renovated, and the palace was expanded. Additional renovations took place in the 1600s and 1800s. As a result, the palace now has a Renaissance-Revival-Neoclassical style.

Above the main entrance door, visitors will find a wonderful marble relief depicting an eagle. On the main facade's cornice, visitors will notice the statue of Saint Rosalia.

Carlo d'Aprile crafted this impressive statue in 1661. The clock under the statue came from Paris in 1864 and is flanked by lions. The facade also features four angels decorated with four eagles.

The palace's interior houses several important artworks. Richly decorated portals feature Latin quotes. Several statues are also on display, including the small Genius of Palermo statue, which dates to the 15th century.

The ornate Baroque portal on the ground floor was built in 1691. Several of Napoleon's weapons are on display. In addition, the entire palace is filled with elaborate frescoes, reliefs, and intricately painted ceilings.

The Palazzo Mirto dates back to the 17th century. The Filangeri family owned the palace for over 400 years before donating it to the city in 1982. This fabulous palace features original artwork and gives visitors insights into the lives of a wealthy Palermo family. The Filangeri family were part of the Sicilian nobility, and the palace represents an extravagant lifestyle from the past.

The 21 rooms all feature original furnishings. Visitors can admire the swaths of velvet and silk wallpaper that cover the walls. Decorations include frescoes, tapestries, and chandeliers. In addition, the floors are covered in majolica tiles, mosaics, and colored marble.

Visitors will enjoy the ballroom, enormous library, and the Chinese Salon. The Chinese Salon has silk wallpaper and black lacquer. In addition, a ceiling painting features European artists looking down at the room. The Smoking Salon's walls are decorated with colorful Cordovan leather. The Lounge of Diana features a swiveling Apollo statue that leads to a hidden passage.

A terrace on the second floor features an enclosed garden. The palace has English tour booklets available.

Construction on Palazzo Chiaramonte-Steri was completed in the 14th century. It was the home of Manfredi III Chiaramonte, a powerful Sicilian lord. He commissioned the Grand Hall with its impressive painted wooden ceiling. The palace's architectural style is known as Chiaramonte Gothic, which has also been described as Romanesque-Gothic.

In 1392, Andrea Chiaramonte was executed, and the family was disgraced. In the early 1500s, the palace housed Siciliy's Aragonese-Spanish viceroys.

Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Sicily, ceded the Maltese Islands to the Order of the Hospital from here in 1530. After that, the palace housed the Royal Customs.

From 1600 to 1782, the Holy Inquisition was held in the palace. The palace is now a museum, and guests can see the paintings and inscriptions that prisoners left on cell walls. In addition, the museum houses the famous Vucciria painting by Guttuso.

Palazzo Butera is an impressive waterside palace. Girolamo Branciforti commissioned the home in 1701. The palace welcomed Charles de Bourbon, who was crowned King of Sicily in Palmero in 1735. The terrace was built in 1750. In 1760 the Prince of Butera bought the palace next door and joined them. This addition doubles the size of the palace. The entire palace was renovated and Gioacchino Martorana and Gaspare Fumagalli painted beautiful ceiling frescoes.

In 2016, Francesa and Massimo Valsecchi bought the palace and have been restoring it. Today, it is a museum. The rooms feature ceiling paintings, frescoes, and artworks from throughout the centuries.

The Valsecchi's are moving their art collection from England to display it in the Palazzo Butera. Visitors can tour the palace, see exhibitions, and explore the courtyards and the terrace.