Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel
Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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The Palatine Chapel is the royal chapel of the Norman Palace in Palermo, Sicily. This building is a mixture of Byzantine, Norman and Fatimid architectural styles, showing the tricultural state of Sicily during the 12th century after Roger I and Robert Guiscard conquered the island.
attractions: Palermo Cathedral, Quattro Canti, Norman Palace, Mercado del Capo, Fontana Pretoria, Chiesa del Gesù di Casa Professa, Church of St. Mary of the Admiral, Q-Tuppo, Church of Saint John of the Hermits, Chiesa di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria, restaurants: Taverna Dei Canti, Ciurma Palermo Maqueda, Ke Palle, Pizzeria Frida, Bisso Bistrot, BIGA Genio e Farina, Testagrossa Ristorante, Pasticceria Cappello, Trattoria Ai Cascinari, Moltivolti
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Description
The Palatine Chapel is the royal chapel of the Norman Palace in Palermo, Sicily. This building is a mixture of Byzantine, Norman and Fatimid architectural styles, showing the tricultural state of Sicily during the 12th century after Roger I and Robert Guiscard conquered the island.
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I am visiting it for the second time and for the second time I am impressed by the Palatine Chapel. One of the most impressive churches I have ever seen. We visited it at the end of December, there were not many tourists and we were able to enjoy the beauty of the mosaics and ceilings. The building is a mixture of Byzantine, Norman and Fatimid architectural styles, showing the tricultural state of Sicily in the 12th century. It took eight years to build, with the mosaics only partially completed by 1143. The sanctuary, dedicated to Saint Peter, resembles a domed basilica. It has three apses, as was common in Byzantine architecture, with six pointed arches (three on each side of the central nave) resting on recycled classical columns. The vaulted ceiling of the nave and the rectilinear shape of the chapel are impressive. The mosaics are fascinating with their brilliance and uniqueness. Unique!
Sonya MitevaSonya Miteva
30
The seat of Sicilian government. Also home to a lavishly decorated chapel. The tickets - access times are limited (purchased from the kiosk on the main approach to the building) were 19 Euro per person (2022, including access to the main building and gardens, art exhibition and basement area). Cheaper ticket options are available with less access. The basement area reveals the historic excavations of the city gate foundations, viewable via the glass floor. The ground floor contains the art exhibition, the first floor houses the chapel and the second floor a further photographic exhibition (women in Afghanistan under the Taliban). If there is a queue for the chapel, going straight to the third floor and returning later is an option. The gardens are small but well maintained and a cafe serves drinks.
John DoeJohn Doe
00
I don’t know if there is a Customer Journey Manager but if there is one, I have a lot to say to themi! 1) you have to buy tickets at a kiosk far away from the entrance, why? You queue there, then you have to queue again at the entrance. 2) while queuing with my ticket and the queue being stopped for several minutes, some ppl are just getting in without tickets and being given a to ticket without exchange of money at the entrance… so they get free entrance? 3) you have to go through the shop to get to the start of the visit… barely no way. to really see it after security check and the crowd in the shop 4) there is a Thesaurus exhibition, no sign explaning it at all, and there is a film about the chapel in the same room, even though there is no relation. 5) going down to the wall downstairs, big sign just in front of the stairs, impossible to read it properly without getting people annoyed by you standing at the end of the stairs. 6) toilets are not free and are outside in a random place. with the price of the tickets (super expensive!) toilets should be free. 7) there was another exhibition. i was told I need an additional ticket for that. but they are not selling the tickets there. am I supposed to leave the building, go back to the little kiosk outside in the park and queue again?? 8) the royal gardens, not worth it. i went to look at the cafe there. both employees were on their phones and didnˆt bother getting their faces away from their phone when I entered. 9) most employees are very rude except for the one guy at the entrance to the chapel. 10) have some seats here and there for people who needs to sit and can not stand for long period of times… 11) the price is too excessive and no one tells you that the apartments are closed until you bought the ticket, is inside and are looking for the entrance. no information anywhere. 12) audioguide might be a good idea and a room with close ups of the mosaics with explanation of what they represent.
Clémence ProsenClémence Prosen
30
As I’m sure you’ve read already the Royal Apartments are closed most days and are not included in the 15,5€ ticket anyway. But this information is not at all explicit when buying the tickets or online. So basically you can see the church and a room with a temporary exhibition and the royal gardens. Too expensive to be honest. When we got there at 8:35 we could not even enter the church, another thing no one tells you when buying tickets. There seems to be messes in the church free and during those no one can get in. The staff does not speak English very well and yeah not exactly charming either. The royal gardens… what can I say… basic , small garden nothing of relevance to see in there if I’m being very honest. Looks much a like the exterior free garden outside the palace. So if you want to pay and see the church go ahead but I’m telling you right now it’s not the most beautiful church in the world by far. And if you want to see the royal apartments ( which is what you would expect when buying tickets to a royal palace) make sure they are open on the day you visit and remember you need to pay for a more expensive ticket.
Miguel SoaresMiguel Soares
20
Tourist trap - wouldn’t recommend but go to the Mass and see the chapel for free instead, not worth €15.50 entrance fee. Staff very unhelpful, disinterested and don’t explain anything. The chapel really is beautiful but takes 10 mins to walk around and gardens and exhibition were underwhelming and boring (unless you like looking at bits of broken crockery). Royal apartments were closed (we didn’t see the sign informing us of this until the way out). Cafe was expensive - 20% service charge and we refused to pay to use the toilets - this is a basic human right, although toilets seem to be very scarce in Italy in general. Also a very long walk to the toilets - not ideal if you are disabled or elderly, although there are ramps for wheelchair access (but up hill on the way back). Very glad there was no queue to get in - if there is I wouldn’t bother going. Highlight was seeing a stray cat on the way out 😂.
Onstagers EdinburghOnstagers Edinburgh
00
This does not always feature on top lists for Palermo which makes no sense. There is so much to see here in what is also a working government building. In a city with many churches the Palantine Chapel is still a stand out. Next up are the Royal apartments which are interesting and beautiful. The garden is a welcome change of pace but I would give the cafe a miss. Then there are the art galleries. When we visited this includes Steve McCurry "Freedom" which is very powerful, there will be something for everyone though. Tips: Not everything is always open so make sure in advance. We went on a Friday when everything was open but I don't know if that is always the case. On Thursday hardly anything was. It gets very busy with many groups including schools so definitely try to get there when it opens.
Vince VinnypVince Vinnyp
40
Nearby Attractions Of Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel
Palermo Cathedral
Quattro Canti
Norman Palace
Mercado del Capo
Fontana Pretoria
Chiesa del Gesù di Casa Professa
Church of St. Mary of the Admiral
Q-Tuppo
Church of Saint John of the Hermits
Chiesa di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria

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Pasticceria Cappello
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