The Cathedral of Palermo, dedicated to Maria Santissima Vergine Assunta, stands in an area close to the ancient Punic-Roman walls, on the site of the first Phoenician settlement. Transformed into a mosque at the time of Islamic domination, the basilica returned to Christianism in 1072, with the help of Roberto and Ruggero d’Altavilla.
Archbishop Gualtiero was responsible for the reconstruction of the Norman building, formed by scholars between 1169 -1185. The building has a three-naves on which a large sanctuary is built. Outside, the southern side of the building is distinguished by a large Gothic-Catalan-style portico (front porch) erected around 1465.
The south-western facade, dates back to the XIV-XV century, while the group of neo-Gothic bell towers soaring above the bell tower were built between 1840 and 1844 according to the architectural lines and decorations of the corner towers of the Cathedral, built in the 14th century.
The decorative system with Islamic-style ornamental motifs covers the external walls of the cathedral and the apses are originally from the 12th century. The church is now divided into three naves by pillars that support barrel vaults, and has a dome at the point of intersection between the transept and the central nave, built following extensive renovations performed by the royal architect Ferdinando Fuga between 1781 and 1801.
In the first two chapels of the southern nave are located the tombs of the Norman-Swabian emperors and royalty of Sicily: Constance II of Aragon, wife of Frederick II; Henry VI; Federico II; Peter II of Aragon; Ruggero II. Some rooms behind the right side of the transept have hosted the Treasure of the Cathedral since 2006 where, among other valuable works, the crown of Constance of Aragon is preserved, a splendid example of medieval jewelry with enamels, embroidery, gems and pearls.
From the left side of the cathedral there is an entrance to the crypt that, according to some scholars, dates back to the VI century. The crypt was later modified by the Normans, when they built a new temple. Divided into two naves with cross vaults supported by fourteen columns, almost all in Egyptian granite, in this place there are 23 tombs from the Roman and medieval ages which host, mostly, the remains of the archbishops of this cathedral.
The Cathedral is truly a monumental building worth visiting and we would strongly advise our visitors not to bypass it.
Working hours of the Cathedral of Palermo
The Cathedral is open from Monday to Saturday from 7:00am to 7:00pm
On Sundays from 08:00am to 1:00pm and from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Monumental area within the Cathedral of Palermo
Monumental area (the royal tombs, script and the rooftops of the Cathedral) are open from Monday to Saturday from 09:00am to 1:30 pm (last admission at 1:00pm).
Closed on Sundays.
Ticket price for the Cathedral of Palermo and monumental area
The entrance to the Cathedral of Palermo is FREE OF CHARGE
Ticket price for the monumental area- the royal tombs, script and the rooftops of the Cathedral
Regular ticket price € 7,00
Reduced ticket price € 3,00 (teenagers between 11 to 17 years old)
Monumental area without rooftops of the Cathedral
Regular ticket price € 3,00
Reduced ticket price € 0,50 – for kids between 6 to 10 years
Reduced ticket price € 1,00 - teenagers between 11 to 17 years old
Reduced ticket price € 2,50 – for people over 65 years
