Zisa Palace
Stand in the Sala della Fontana and watch what the Norman kings built in 1165: water rises beneath a gold-ground mosaic panel, slides down a marble slab cut with chevron grooves, crosses the floor in a channel, and empties into a basin outside. The whole room is a cooling machine, and it still works.
The Zisa — from the Arabic al-azīza, the magnificent — was conceived as part of a sprawling royal hunting estate called Genoardo, the Earthly Paradise. Arab craftsmen built it for William I; his son William II finished it in 1189. Today it houses Palermo's Museum of Islamic Art, and the building itself is the best exhibit in it.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who come back tend to linger at the entrance arch before going in — the fresco known as the Devils of the Zisa is there, and local legend insists the figures shift to foil anyone who tries to count them. Whether or not you believe it, you will lose count. Also: arrive when the doors open to catch the morning light on the muqarnas ceiling.
The story behind Zisa Palace
William I commissioned the palace around 1165, but died before it was finished; William II completed it in 1189. It was the centerpiece of Genoardo, a vast royal pleasure complex that also included the Cuba Sottana, the Cuba Soprana, and the Uscibene palace — none of which survive in any recognisable form around it.
After centuries of private ownership — Giovanni de Sandoval acquired it in 1635, and the Notarbartolo di Sciara family used it as a residence until the 1950s — the Region of Sicily purchased the building in 1955. Restorer Giuseppe Caronia oversaw a careful rehabilitation that concluded with a full reopening in June 1991. In July 2015, UNESCO inscribed it as part of the Arab-Norman Palermo World Heritage Site.
Good to know
Bus lines 106 or 110 from Piazza Politeama get you here; the closest train stop is Orleans/Palazzo Reale. Allow at least ninety minutes. The ground floor and garden are wheelchair accessible; the upper floors involve steep, narrow stairs. A ticket office, bookshop, and restrooms are on site.
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What travellers say about Zisa Palace
We really enjoyed our visit to the Zisa Palace in Palermo. Even though parts of the palace were under restoration during our visit, it was still absolutely worth seeing. The palace itself is beautiful and has such a unique atmosphere, with fascinating architecture and history. One thing we especially appreciated was how cool and refreshing it felt inside. If you’re visiting Palermo during the hot summer months, it’s a perfect place to escape the heat for a while and enjoy a quieter, more relaxing experience. Don’t let the ongoing restoration put you off, the charm of this place definitely shines through, and we’re happy we included it in our itinerary.
For the price, The guys sitting looking after the rooms should be respectful enough to say hi and keep their volume down while watching cartoons. They don’t even aknowledge you and make everything feel not serious. The museum is Ok but could be a skip if ur short on time
It is a beautiful building from the outside but from the inside is is mediocre except the room downstairs which is quite beautiful. Also all fountains in the big garden were not working. It was not worth the entrance fee.
Really old palace that hasn’t been restored. It’s an impressive building but only if you’re already in the area.
A world treasure not to be missed. This is an Arab Norman Palace from the 12th century, perfectly restored and absolutely amazing. I came out here twice because the first time it was closed and I’m really grateful that I made the effort. It may be closed on Mondays. I got in on Tuesday.
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