Palazzo dei Normanni
The Palazzo dei Normanni, also called Royal Palace of Palermo, is a palace in Palermo, Sicily, Italy. It was the seat of the Kings of Sicily with the Hauteville dynasty and served afterwards as the main seat of power for the subsequent rulers of Sicily. Since 1946 it has been the seat of the Sicilian Regional Assembly. The building is the oldest royal residence in Europe; and was the private residence of the rulers of the Kingdom of Sicily and the imperial seat of Frederick II and Conrad IV.
History
Norman Palace, was built on the highest point of the city, above a Punic structure discovered in 1984 beneath the Duke of Montalto Halls. During Arab rule, the earliest nucleus of the building arose between the rivers Kemonia and Papireto, designed with defensive features typical of fortresses. This building was also used during the Roman Byzantine era.Following the Norman conquest in 1072, the Normans built a new building consisting of a castle, with the function of royal residence and administrative hub. In 1130, after the coronation of Roger II of Altavilla—the first Norman king of Sicily—the Palatine Chapel was constructed, becoming a symbol of norman cultural and christian religious.
The palace's core was marked by four towers and included facilities such as workshops and textile laboratories. It served as the seat of successive Norman courts, including those of Roger II, William I, and William II, who oversaw a remarkable confluence of diverse cultures.
Frederick II, grandson of Roger II and son of Henry VI of Hohenstaufen and Constance of Altavilla, continued this legacy. He played a pivotal role in its administration and in fostering cultural life, notably supporting the Sicilian School of poetry.
After a period of decline during the Angevin and Aragonese rule, the palace was revitalized under the Spanish viceroys in the late 16th century. This phase saw the addition of new architectural elements with both representative and military functions, including the Fountain Courtyard and the Maqueda Courtyard.
During the Bourbon period, the palace saw further development, particularly in the decoration of the Hercules Hall. Today, the Royal Palace serves as the seat of the Sicilian Regional Assembly.