Castello di Maredolce
Arab-Norman residence of the 10th–12th century in Brancaccio (Palermo), built beside an ancient artificial lake, with a porticoed courtyard and the chapel of Saints Philip and James.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Castello di Maredolce, also known as Palazzo della Favara, is an Arab-Norman residence in the Brancaccio district of Palermo, datable between the 10th and the 12th century. The name Maredolce refers to the ancient artificial lake, fed by the springs of Monte Grifone, which surrounded the palace on three sides and held an island of about two hectares. The name Favara derives from the Arabic al-Fawwara, “spring of water”. Sources attribute the construction to the emir Muhammad ibn Khafaja, on a model inspired by Kairouan.
The Normans rebuilt and enlarged the building, which became a residence of King Roger II, and added the chapel of Saints Philip and James, with a single nave and a dome of oriental taste. The palace has a square and compact plan, with a wide porticoed courtyard of North African derivation. From 1328 the building was a hospital of the Teutonic Knights and then a privately owned farm estate; the lake dried up in the 16th century and the area was reduced to cultivated land.
After the Second World War the complex was abandoned and fell into decay, partly because of illegal building. The Sicilian Region expropriated it in 1992 and began restoration in 2007. The castle is today partly visitable, while the surrounding park recalls the ancient Islamic garden with citrus trees, orchards and watercourses.
Highlights
- Porticoed courtyard of North African inspiration
- Chapel of Saints Philip and James with an oriental dome
- Trace of the ancient artificial lake of Maredolce
- Park recalling the medieval Islamic garden
- Residence of Roger II
- Operated by
- Soprintendenza per i Beni culturali e ambientali di Palermo (Regione Siciliana)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 3,436
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €2 |
|---|
Full-price ticket €2, according to the Municipality of Palermo’s tourist listing.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The Municipality of Palermo’s listing indicates the site as accessible to visitors with visual impairments and not accessible to visitors with other disabilities.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
