Palazzo dei Normanni e Cappella Palatina, A mosaic of cultures in glittering gold

Palace of the Normans, Piazza Indipendenza, 1, 90129 Palermo, Italy

There is a tower-like gate on the left side of the palace

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Introduction

The Norman Palace, built in the 11th century by the Normans on ancient Carthaginian and Roman ruins, has a simple style. Throughout history, Sicilian rulers have used it as a palace. The Palatine Chapel on the second floor of the palace was built in 1130, the year of Roger II's coronation. The mosaic tiles inside the chapel are stunning with their inlaid gold leaf stained glass, making the entire church dazzlingly decorated with many stories from the Bible. The wooden niches on the ceiling are a masterpiece of honeycomb carving. Currently, the third floor of the palace is the office of the Palermo Parliament.

Address

Palace of the Normans, Piazza Indipendenza, 1, 90129 Palermo, Italy

Opening hours

Monday to Saturday from 8:15 am to 5:40 pm, with ticket sales ending at 5:00 pm. On Sundays and holidays, the palace is open from 8:15 am to 1:00 pm, with ticket sales ending at 12:15 pm. The Palace is closed to visitors during Palermo's council meetings.

Website http://www.federicosecondo.org/