The Palazzo dei Normanni, also known as the Palazzo Reale – the Royal Palace is the ancient residence of the kings of Sicily, lying in the historic centre of Palermo. The Palace is remarkable in itself as a monument to the Arab-Norman architecture, in addition, inside it is located the Palatine chapel is exquisite and luxuriously decorated with the personal chapel of the kings.

A long time ago on the site of the present Palazzo stood buildings that belonged to the Phoenicians. Later they were replaced by ancient Roman building. When the Arabs conquered Sicily in the 9th century, they built on the site of ancient ruins of the fortress, called the Palace of the emirs, - here was carried out monitoring of the inhabitants of Palermo. At the end of the 11th century over the island passed to the Normans, and at the direction of Duke Robert of Viscera in the Palace of the emirs was a government house. All buildings were connected to each other by means of arches and were surrounded by gardens, broken best gardeners medieval. And nephew of Guacara Roger II turned the former fortress into a luxurious Palace. It was under him in 1132 was equipped with the famous Palatine chapel and built four towers of Pisa, Red, Greek and Goare. Son of Roger king William I of Evil built another tower – Kirimi. Unfortunately, to this day preserved only leaning, dedicated to the Holy Ninfa. In the late 18th century it housed an astronomical Observatory.

On the whole century Palazzo dei Normanni flourished and even became the Imperial residence of Hohenstaufen. However, after losing Palermo their capital status and until the 16th century the Palace again became a regular fortress. In those years, was lost much of the decor of the Palace and furnishings.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, when the Palazzo was the residence of the Spanish viceroys of Sicily, it has undergone several reconstructions, during which was significantly expanded. Created a new front façade overlooking Piazza Victoria, designed the Fountain courtyard and the courtyard Macheda, named in honor of one of the viceroys. In 1735 the yard Macheda with the help of a majestic staircase connected to the Royal chambers on the third floor. Today the Palazzo dei Normanni is the meeting place of the Parliament of the Autonomous region of Sicily. And the Palatina chapel is without doubt the best example of area-the Norman-Byzantine style, was turned into a Museum where visitors can admire the magnificent Golden mosaics, painted wooden ceilings and marble inlays.