Palazzo Chiaramonte-Steri Tours
The imposing Palazzo Chiaramonte-Steri sits at one side of the Piazza Marina, today home to the administrative offices of the University of Palermo, was once a fortified private home.
The palace was built in 1307 as the private home of the Chiaramonte family. The most notable interior decorations, however, were added later in the 14th century. In particular, the Grand Hall has a huge painted wooden ceiling. The scenes captured by artists include some Biblical stories, some from mythology, and others.
After the palace was no longer a private home, it was used as a prison by the Spanish Inquisition (there are small cells with anguished graffiti on the walls), and later as Palermo’s courthouse. Today, part of the palace is where the city’s university is headquartered, though much of the building is also a popular attraction for visitors.
Practical Info
In addition to the gruesome sights in the palace related to the Spanish Inquisition, there is also an art collection worth seeing. The best-known piece in the collection is a painting called, “La Vucciria,” after the bustling Palermo market, by Sicilian painter Renato Guttuso.
Address: Piazza Marina 61, Palermo, Sicily 90133, Italy
Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-7pm
Admission: €8 adults, €5 adults over 65/children ages 10-17, children under 10 FREE
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Palermo City Hop-on Hop-off Tour
- See the highlights of Palermo with a hop-on hop-off bus tour, exploring at your own pace. Get a view of the city’s top attractions from the top of a double-decker bus, including sights like the Quattro Canti, Vucciria Market and the Teatro Massimo – one of Italy's most famous opera houses. Enjoy audio commentary during the tour.
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