Palazzo Corvaja
Stand in the courtyard of Palazzo Corvaja and you're looking at roughly eleven centuries of Sicilian history compressed into a single building. The oldest part — a cubic Arab tower built somewhere between 902 and 1079 — was designed to echo the proportions of the Kaaba in Mecca, which tells you something about who was building in Sicily and what they held sacred.
The palace grew outward from that tower across the medieval centuries, each addition speaking a different architectural dialect. The facade of Taormina stone carries mullioned windows with pointed arches and Corinthian capitals. Inside, the courtyard walls are carved with reliefs depicting The Creation, and a staircase in Syracuse stone leads up to the room where, in 1411, Queen Bianca of Navarra presided over an assembly of the Sicilian Parliament.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who come back tend to linger in the courtyard longer than they planned, reading the relief carvings slowly. The museum's €3 admission is easy to overlook from the tourist-office entrance — go through and up; the painted Sicilian carts and puppet figures on the upper floors reward the detour.
The story behind Palazzo Corvaja
The Arab tower at the core of the building went up on the ruins of a Roman forum — Taormina's layers running deep even then. Toward the end of the 13th century the tower was incorporated into a larger structure, with a left wing added off the entrance portal. The right wing followed in the early 1400s, purpose-built to house the Sicilian Parliament; the first session met here in 1411.
The Corvaja family, among the oldest in Taormina, held the palazzo from 1538 until 1945, by which point it had fallen into serious neglect. The postwar restoration was directed by Neapolitan architect Armando Dillon between 1945 and 1948. A further wing added in 1960 now houses the tourist office. Since 1997 the upper floors have operated as the Sicilian Museum of Art and Popular Traditions.
Good to know
The palace sits on Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II where Corso Umberto meets Santa Caterina — hard to miss. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 am–1 pm and 4–8 pm; closed Mondays. Palace entry is free; the museum costs €3. Allow an hour minimum, more if the museum pulls you in.
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What travellers say about Palazzo Corvaja
This palace dates from medieval times. The architecture presents different elements and styles. It was the prinary residence of the Corvaja family up until 1975. Now this historic monument houses a museum with exhibits from history and the tourist information office. From Taormina you get a good view of Mount Etna. Follow the IG link in profile for more travel and food and drink tips, ideas and reviews!
We planned to visit at the end of our otherwise very enjoyable day in Taormina. Checked the opening days and times online. Arrived at 4pm to find the doors closed. No information at the entrance, no apology if there was a problem. Nothing. For those of us who are in Sicily to visit important sites and learn rather than just wander round the shops, this is so frustrating.
Corvaja Palace, which is located in Piazza Badia at right angles to the church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, The origins of the palazzo incorporate an early Norman fortress dating from the 12th-14th century, which in turn was constructed on Roman foundations. It was subsequently added to over various periods up until the 15th century. Its main body is an Norman-style tower, and it has an inner courtyard where the Gothic influence can be seen in the arched windows and doorways. A 13th century staircase leads up to the first floor and an ornamental balcony which overlooks the courtyard. In 1410, Corvaja Palace housed the Sicilian Parliament.[1] It was renovated in 1945 by Armando Dillo, and as of 2009 it is the seat for the Azienda Autonoma Soggiorno e Turismo.
The ancient streets of the old city look very organic, it is pleasant to walk along them.
Would absolutely recommend a holiday in Taormina, Sicily. A fabulous place with lots to see.
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