Palazzo della Zisa is one of the most beautiful legacies of the Norman-Arab presence in Sicily.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015, the building dates to the 12th century and is named after an Arab term meaning “the glorious” or “the splendid”.
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Opening days
Monday to Friday
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Opening times
9.00 - 17.00
last entrance allowed 30 minutes before closing time -
Closing
Saturday and Sunday
- Web Zisa Palace
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Feature List
- Info line
- Downloadable Audioguide
VISITING ZISA PALACE
Built outside Palermo’s old city walls by skilled Muslim workers, the Zisa Palace was used to host the Norman kings during the summer. It is rectangular in design and has three floors. The rooms on the ground floor were used for courtly functions like parties, ceremonies and balls, while the rooms on the first and second floor were residential apartments.
Entering the “Zisa” means immersing yourself in the magical atmosphere of a place that combines fine Norman art and architecture with decorations and engineering of Arab origin.
In the sala della Fontana you'll be fascinated by the fresco of a series of mythological characters, known as diavoli, who according to an ancient legend are there to guard the treasure hidden inside the castle.
The Palace is also home to a beautiful Islamic art museum where you can admire works from Sicily and the Mediterranean area produced between the 9th and 12th centuries.
Palazzo della Zisa is a little gem that is worth a trip to Palermo on its own. You will be fascinated by its history and architecture, so what are you waiting for?
Services
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Visits
scheduled for individuals
available in Italian, English -
Visits
for groups by reservation
available in Italian, English -
Didactics for schools
by reservation
available in Italian, English -
Audioguide
service temporarily suspended
available in Italian, English, French, German, Spanish - Bookshop
Where
Piazza Zisa, Palermo
Transportation
By bus: from Palermo train station, take bus line 101 to Piazza Politeama, then 106 to Piazza del Principe di Camporeale.
By train: the closest train station is Orleans/Palazzo Reale.
By car: from Palermo Central Station, head to Piazza Indipendenza, continue in the direction of Via Dante, walk all the way to Piazza Principe di Camporeale, from there take Via dei Normanni until you reach your destination.
Visiting Rules
- temperature measurement
- hand sanitization
- safety distance
- forbidden assemblages
- Wear a mask for the entire visit route required
- follow mandatory signs
