Chiaramonte-Steri Palace (Palazzo Chiaramonte-Steri)

The basics

The fortress-like Chiaramonte-Steri Palace was built in 1307 as the home of the powerful Chiaramonte family in a Norman Gothic style that became the model for Chiaramontan architecture. Notable interior decorations were added a century later, including the Great Hall's wooden ceiling. In the 1600s, the palace became the headquarters of the Aragonese/Spanish viceroys of Sicily and held Spanish Inquisition prisoners. The graffiti they scratched into the walls of their tiny cells is still visible.

Things to know before you go

• The Inquisition museum may not be appropriate for younger children. Instead, head directly upstairs to the Sala Magna, art gallery, and scenic views.
• The palace is now home to the rectorate of the University of Palermo and can only be visited as part of a guided tour; inquire at the entrance.
• Be sure to bring a camera to capture the views from the upper floors of the palace over Palermo’s old town and the coastline.
• The palace is partially accessible to wheelchair users.

How to get there

Palazzo Chiaramonte-Steri is set on Piazza Marina in the city’s historic Kalsa district within walking distance from the port, Centrale train station, and Piazza Pretoria. You can reach Sicily from mainland Italy by ferry, train, or plane.

When to get there

Sicily can be uncomfortably hot in summer, so avoid the midday heat by ducking into the palace for a visit. To see the city at its festive best, tour during the annual U Fistinu festival in July and enjoy processions, fireworks, street food, and music.

The Lighter Side of Palazzo Chiaramonte-Steri

The lower-level prison cells in Palazzo Chiaramonte-Steri can be rather macabre. To reset, head upstairs to the sunlit art gallery to admire the colorful The Vucciria by 20th-century Palermitano painter Renato Guttuso. This scene is a lively depiction of one of the city’s most famous historic markets located not far from the palace.