Palermo Trip Overview
When in Palermo don’t miss the opportunity to visit this unique summer palace built for the Norman King WIlliam I by craftsmen of Arabian origin. Inspired by the royal buildings of North Africa and Egypt, the Zisa Palace represents the prime example of strong connections between Sicily and the Islamic cultural world of the Mediterranean. Since 2015, the Zisa has been included in the “Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale” UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Additional Info
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Starts: Palermo, Italy
Trip Category: Sightseeing Tickets & Passes >> Sightseeing Passes
Explore Palermo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Palermo, Province of Palermo, Italy
When in Palermo don’t miss the opportunity to visit this unique summer palace built for the Norman King WIlliam I by craftsmen of Arabian origin. Inspired by the royal buildings of North Africa and Egypt, the Zisa Palace represents the prime example of strong connections between Sicily and the Islamic cultural world of the Mediterranean. Since 2015, the Zisa has been included in the “Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale” UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visit: Il Castello della Zisa, Piazza Guglielmo il Buono, 90100, Palermo, Sicily Italy
The Zisa, built in the 12th century, was conceived during the Norman domination in Sicily, during the reign of William I, but it was finished only under William II. The palace was built in the Arab way by Arabian craftsmen, as was the case for the construction of other royal residences. The architects were inspired by the royal buildings of North Africa and Egypt, making the Zisa into a prime example for the strong connections between Sicily and the Islamic cultural world of the Mediterranean.
Since 2015, the Zisa has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as one of the sites of “ Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale,” a series of buildings that bears witness to a time characterized by the fruitful coexistence of people of different origins (Muslim, Byzantine, Latin, Jewish, Lombard, and French).
