Guided itineraries

In 2015, UNESCO declared the Norman Palace (Palazzo dei Normanni) and Palermo Cathedral a World Heritage Site. In total, seven monuments in the city received this prestigious recognition. All of them were built during the Middle Ages, a period of great splendor for Sicily. It was an era in which visionary rulers, the Normans, turned the island’s multicultural society into a strength. From this encounter emerged the Arab-Norman style, a unique architectural language found nowhere else in the world, whose exceptional value has been officially recognized by UNESCO. This heritage is celebrated in the UNESCO itinerary “Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale.”

The Norman Palace and Palermo Cathedral are two outstanding examples of this legacy.

The Norman Palace conceals a true treasure within: the Palatine Chapel, a church decorated by Byzantine mosaicists and Muslim craftsmen. It stands as an extraordinary example of religious tolerance and cultural coexistence. While waiting to visit it with us, you can immerse yourself in the splendor of its mosaics through a virtual tour.

Palermo Cathedral, on the other hand, preserves remarkable medieval evidence, including the ancient crypt and the tomb of Frederick II of Swabia. This enlightened emperor inherited and carried forward the cultural legacy of the Norman kings.

Our itinerary begins at the Norman Palace. In addition to the Palatine Chapel, we will also visit the Royal Gardens, immersing ourselves in the lush vegetation that characterizes Palermo: native plants alongside tropical and subtropical species. This extraordinary botanical variety thrives thanks to the city’s mild climate for much of the year.

Walking along the oldest street in Palermo, we will reach the Cathedral. At the end of the visit, if you wish, you may climb to the church rooftops, where you will enjoy breathtaking views over the historic center, from the mountains of the Conca d’Oro all the way to the sea.