Visit the Palais des Normands: tickets, prices, schedules

A good in the past to discover a symbol of Arab-normand art, is it tempting you? Direction Palermo, to visit the Palais des Normands, also called "Royal Palace".

If you are on your way to Palermo, don’t miss the uncontournable capital of this bouillonnante: the Palais des Normands. Located in the Old Town, on Independence Square, this sublime building is one of the oldest royal residences in Europe. Once known as the Royal Palace, it is today the seat of the Sicily Regional Assembly.

During your visit, you will discover a mixture of amazing influences, combining Arab and Norman art, testimony of a rich past. Not to mention the jewel it contains: the sublime Palatine chapel.

Looking for a ticket to visit the Palais des Normands? Tips, rates, schedules... You will find in this article all the information necessary for the proper conduct of your visit.

History of the Palais des Normands

The palace of the Normans is located at the site of a strong punic of the seventh century BC. After the Romans and the Byzantines, it is the turn of the Arabs to take hold of it in the ninth century. They then make it a Qsar, the residence of their Emirs.

In 1072, the Normans enlarged it, embellished it and transformed it into a royal residence, symbolizing their power. It is also to the Normans that we owe the sublime Palatine chapel that the palace contains.

During the second half of the 16th century, Angevins and Aragonese left the palace a bit, until the arrival of the Spanish viceroys. Again, the palace is the theatre of important works, including the construction of ramparts that surround it entirely.

It was in 1947 that the Palais des Normands became what it is today: the seat of the Sicilian Regional Assembly.

Our tips to visit the Palais des Normands

The best time to visit the Norman Palace

Le Palais des Normands is open every day of the week. However, be aware that on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, royal apartments are closed to the public for parliamentary activities.

As for the Palatine chapel , it remains open to visitors every day, except when religious services are celebrated there, so very often on Sundays.

And on Saturday remains, as often for monuments and tourist activities, a day with high affluence. Thus, the Mondays and Fridays are the safest days to discover the building at best, preferably early morning .

The duration of a visit

You can plan a good hour to visit the Palais des Normands. With new sanitary regulations, booking is now mandatory and the regulated tourist flow. For this, it is important to 15 minutes before time indicated on the booking and booking voucher respect visiting time .

Health measures

• Each visitor will be subject to one measure of body temperature before accessing the Palace. Access will be denied to anyone with a temperature equal to or greater than 37.5 degrees;
• One. remediation tunnel has been established, and must be borrowed to return to the palace;
• The wearing the mask is mandatory throughout the visit;
• Distributors Disinfectant gel are located throughout the course;
• The access is provided for up to 200 visitors in the palace enclosure. The tourist flows will therefore be regulated with admissions every 15 minutes.

What do you see during your visit to the Palais des Normands?

Your ticket to the Norman Palace in your pocket, you are ready for the visit. Here are the places to be missed:

Royal apartments

Alone or accompanied by a guide, slip into the privacy of the monarchs of the time. Discover King Roger's bedroom, covered with mosaics and frescoes of the 12th century, representing hunting scenes and animal motifs.

The Salon d’Hercule

Your ticket to the Palais des Normands will allow you to go through the Winds Hall and the Guards Hall, to arrive at the Hercules lounge. He owes his name to the paintings that adorned him, representing several scenes of life of the Greek hero. It is in this room that the Sicilian Regional Assembly meets.

La salle des vice-rois

In this piece there are 21 portraits belonging to the viceroys, lieutenants and presidents of the kingdom of Sicily. Among them, Domenico Caracciolo di Villamaina, who abolished the court of inquisition in 1782. But still Francesco D’Aquino, Prince of Caramanico, during the mandate of which in 1790 the astronomical observatory of the royal palace was created.

The fire hall

Commanded by Leopoldo di Borbone, lieutenant of Sicily from 1830 to 1835, the fire hall was decorated in a neoclassical style. Thus, mythological representations inspired by archaeological discoveries of Herculanum and Pompei , climb on a blue green background.

The Pisan Tower

In addition to King Roger's room, the Pisane Tower holds in its heart the sublime Treasury Room. You can see amphora and coins embedded in the walls. Also, at the top of the tower is the Astronomical Observatory, since 1791. It is here and thanks to the powerful telescope that Cérès, the largest asteroid in the solar system, was discovered.

La Chapelle palatine

Built during the 12th century on the orders of King Roger II, it is dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. This is certainly the most impressive part of the Norman palace. Located on the first floor of the palace, you will access it by taking a large staircase.

You will discover here a place where the Roman, Byzantine and Arab influences are mixed, for an incredible result. If you’re going to visit the Norman Palace, you’ll realize it’s the highlight of the show!

Temporary exhibition

Your ticket to the Norman Palace gives you access to temporary exhibitions. They are always entirely dedicated to art, and walk every year in the Duc de Montalto room of the palace.

See also:

• main façade of the palacedating from the 17th century;
• courtyard Maqueda and its large patio composed of a triple gallery;
• ♪ vestiges dating from the punic period, located in the basement of the building;
• Small Roger Room, certainly the most beautiful of the palace, with a magnificent Norman decoration remained intact ;
• Chinesewhere men and women dressed in the traditional style of the country, as well as some mountain landscapes, are painted on a blue background;
• ♪ Royal gardens, located inside the Bastione di San Pietro, which was part of the defensive reorganization project of the town of Palermo in 1560.

How much does a ticket cost to the Palais des Normands?

Post for temporary exhibition alone:

• Adult rate: 7,00€ ;
• Free for children up to 14 years old.

Ticket for the Palais Normand: from Friday to Monday and holidays

Includes: the entrance of the Palatine Chapel, Royal Apartments, Roger Room, Neo-Gothic Chapel, Pisan Tower, Royal Gardens and Exhibition.

Rates:

• Adult rate: 18€ ;
• Holding teachers and young people aged 18 to 25: 16€ ;
• Persons over 65 years of age: 14,50€ ;
• Children aged 14-17: 10€.

Norman Palace Ticket: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

Includes: the entrance of the palatine chapel, royal gardens and the exhibition.

Rates:

• Adult rate: 13,50€ ;
• Relevant teachers, young people 18 to 25 years of age and persons over 65 years of age: 11,50€ ;
• Children aged 14-17: 7€.

Free:

• Accompaniment of students teachers during educational visits;
• Children and adolescents up to 13 years of age, if accompanied by adults and not on educational visits;
• Teachers and students regularly enrolled in courses in historical, artistic and literary subjects;
• Journalists, ICOM members and employees of the Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage;
• Visitors with disabilities and their accompanying guests.

How do I book a ticket for the Palais des Normands online?

With the new sanitary rules, it is now mandatory to book your ticket online . To do this, go directly to the official website of the Palais des Normands, by clicking on "Online Ticketing" and then "Online Reservation" or by logging in to the website "www.vivaticket.it".

Note that it is possible to purchase an online ticket up to 20 minutes before the last authorized ticket on the same day. Also, a reservation support service is provided during the opening days and hours at the Palazzo Reale ticket office. You can also choose to go through a reservation platform specializing in tours and activities.

Are there guided tours of the Palais des Normands?

At the moment, guided tours are not available. However, it will be possible for you to rent audioguides . The rental must take place at the time of booking the ticket online.

Are there visits combined with other monuments of Palermo?

You will find some combined tickets with the palace of the Normans and other sites of Palermo, with some tourist operators. For example, some guided tours of the city include a ticket to the Palais des Normands.

Opening hours

• Monday to Thursday: from 8:30 to 14:30;
• Friday: from 9am to 4pm;
• Saturday: from 8:30 to 16:30;
• Sunday: from 8:30 to 9:30 and from 11:30 to 14:00.

How do I access the Palais des Normands?

To reach the Palais des Normands, head to the following address: Piazza Indipendenza, 1, 90129 Palermo PA, Italy .

• By metro: the stop Palazzo Reale-Orleans deposit you in front of the Palace;
• By bus: many bus lines stop near the Palace, like the 104, 108, 118, 105, 110 or the line 304 Capolinea.

Where to park near the Norman Palace Museum?

Know that there is no no parking near the museum, and parking in the old town is very complicated. As a result, choose to walk to the historic centre, for a lot more charm and less stress!

Where to stay near the Norman Palace?

The Palais des Normands is located on Independence Square, in the district of La Old Town Palermo. This vibrating district, in addition to the Palais des Normands, is home to most of the city's most beautiful sights. It is therefore the ideal neighbourhood where to stay, especially if you love animation and authenticity.

Near the Palace are many small hotels comfortable, but also warm apartments Airbnb for prices between 50 and 100€ at night.

Don’t wait anymore, bring your ticket to the Palais des Normands, and go to meet this marvel!