Cattedrale di Palermo
Cattedrale di Palermo
4.5
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Churches & Cathedrals
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About
This cathedral was started in 1185 by the norman archbishop Gualtiero Offamilio. You can visit the Royal and Imperial tomb of Frederik the II, the urn with the relics of the patron Saint of Palermo Santa Rosalia, plus a treasury with a precious medieval crown and a crypt from the VII century. The church is free to enter, there is a ticket to access the monumental area composed by royal tombs, treasury, crypt and the roof.
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4.5
8,425 reviews
Excellent
4,930
Very good
2,682
Average
697
Poor
74
Terrible
43
Brun066
Florence, Italy11,880 contributions
Apr 2023
… together with the churches of Cefalù and Monreale, and the Palazzo dei Normanni.
However, while Cefalù and Monreale, due to their marginalization (the first) or their initial function (which later ceased to exist) as a counter-power with respect to the Palermo Church (the second), have admirably preserved in the guise that the XII century gave them, the Palermo Cathedral has a fate more similar to that of the Palazzo dei Normanni: the original appearance is minor compared to the contributions of subsequent eras.
It can be said that the original layout of the Norman cathedral remains only in the apse, which has intertwined two-tone arches, with a beautiful chromatic effect, reminiscent of the apse of Monreale.
Other parts, although not original, nonetheless remain very valuable: first of all the famous portico of the southern facade, built in the Catalan Gothic style of the fifteenth century, and which bears the eighteenth-century bas-reliefs of the successive coronations as king of Sicily of Vittorio Amedeo II of Savoy and of Charles III of Bourbon.
The architecture of the interior is instead substantially disappointing, due to the renovations of the 18th century, which canceled not only the original elements, but also the marble tribune of the main apse, a famous Renaissance work by Antonello Gagini (16th century). In my opinion, it's legitimate to read these transformations as a symbol of the progressive provincialization of Sicily from the 12th to the 18th century.
Inside the cathedral, however, some elements redeem the sense of disappointment. In the first place the tombs of the kings of Sicily from the 12th to the 15th century, of the Norman, Swabian and Aragonese dynasties (and of some princes of royal blood), hieratic in their porphyry like Egyptian dynastic tombs. Then the chapel of Santa Rosalia, the "treasure" and the crypt, which contribute to making this church - despite the alterations - a place not to be missed.
However, while Cefalù and Monreale, due to their marginalization (the first) or their initial function (which later ceased to exist) as a counter-power with respect to the Palermo Church (the second), have admirably preserved in the guise that the XII century gave them, the Palermo Cathedral has a fate more similar to that of the Palazzo dei Normanni: the original appearance is minor compared to the contributions of subsequent eras.
It can be said that the original layout of the Norman cathedral remains only in the apse, which has intertwined two-tone arches, with a beautiful chromatic effect, reminiscent of the apse of Monreale.
Other parts, although not original, nonetheless remain very valuable: first of all the famous portico of the southern facade, built in the Catalan Gothic style of the fifteenth century, and which bears the eighteenth-century bas-reliefs of the successive coronations as king of Sicily of Vittorio Amedeo II of Savoy and of Charles III of Bourbon.
The architecture of the interior is instead substantially disappointing, due to the renovations of the 18th century, which canceled not only the original elements, but also the marble tribune of the main apse, a famous Renaissance work by Antonello Gagini (16th century). In my opinion, it's legitimate to read these transformations as a symbol of the progressive provincialization of Sicily from the 12th to the 18th century.
Inside the cathedral, however, some elements redeem the sense of disappointment. In the first place the tombs of the kings of Sicily from the 12th to the 15th century, of the Norman, Swabian and Aragonese dynasties (and of some princes of royal blood), hieratic in their porphyry like Egyptian dynastic tombs. Then the chapel of Santa Rosalia, the "treasure" and the crypt, which contribute to making this church - despite the alterations - a place not to be missed.
Written 6 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leif B
Pietarsaari, Finland2,775 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
I was on a guided tour in Palermo and then I visited this impressive cathedral and I had also opportunity to visit the Royal Tombs of Roger II and his daughter Catherine. Impressive tomb of an important ruler of Sicilia. Outside the cathedral is very special with the arcades to the Archbishops' Palace.
Written 23 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kay S
2 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
I wanted to commend Trip Advisor for refunding my money for the walking tour that did not happen. When I complained n explained the no show guide experience, they promised me my full price of the tour would be refunded. My good experience with Trip Advisor/Viatour continues
Written 6 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ausway
Sydney, Australia110 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We came we saw we were in awe. Visiting Palermo Cathedral is a must see in Palermo.
It is very beautiful with wonderful high ceilings and ornate chapels. Visit before you go to the Palantine and Monreale.
It is very beautiful with wonderful high ceilings and ornate chapels. Visit before you go to the Palantine and Monreale.
Written 5 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joanne
Lake Mary, FL1,729 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
You can pick various places to visit inside, but its worth it to buy the all-inclusive for about 15E and visit everything. The first highlight is the roof. You have to walk up a narrow round turret like in a castle - it not for anyone with mobility problems. The view of Palermo is awesome and worth taking a lot of pictures. You have to wait for one group to come down before the guide lets another group up. Inside, there is a very small crypt that is not worth much (you can enter it as you come down from the roof). The main crypt is awesome - first you enter a treasure room with valuable items. Then down to the crypt with lots of caskets that are hundreds and thousands of years old. Some signs in English, but mostly Italian.
Written 4 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Southside Travels
Glasgow, UK1,910 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Impressive Cathedral!!
The Cathedral is Impressive both inside and out .. There is some ongoing restoration work at the moment with scaffolding up..so you can't see it in it's full glory.
We just had a wander about inside which is free. But you can pay various fees to access different areas of the Cathedral.
Well worth a visit !!
The Cathedral is Impressive both inside and out .. There is some ongoing restoration work at the moment with scaffolding up..so you can't see it in it's full glory.
We just had a wander about inside which is free. But you can pay various fees to access different areas of the Cathedral.
Well worth a visit !!
Written 2 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Timothy M
Eureka, MO236 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
This is an architectural wonder built on a site where Christians worshiped since the 3rd and 4th centuries. This building dates to the12th century.It has been added to and changed several times over the centuries. See the altar made of silver and you can go up to the roof and get a view of it's Polermo surroundings.
Written 19 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew P
London, UK3,999 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
When you get to the cathedral, you can often see people walking in the garden in front. There are different types of tickets to buy, i would recommend the crypt as part of your tour. Very interesting things to see and read.
Written 3 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Outofdodge_10
Santa Fe, NM1,328 contributions
Oct 2022
The Cattedrale di Palermo (Cathedral of Palermo), as many buildings and sites in Sicily has had many incarnations. It was a Byzantine (eastern half of the Roman Empire - Constantinople, now Istanbul) basilica that was transformed into a mosque in the 9th century by the Saracens Then into a church in 1185. A Gothic portal was added in later centuries, as well as other additions. All of the contributions make this Cattedrale an exceptionally beautiful building. As always, I recommend looking up the rich history before visiting. There is a small, but beautiful square in which to meander.
Written 23 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Periscope
Lindesnes Municipality, Norway6,728 contributions
Mar 2023
Dont ever leave Palermo without visiting the Cattedrale. Spend the extra euros and effort to visit the roof. The view are incredible. You may enter the Cattedrale without paying any entry, but that leaves you with the church-room.
Written 19 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
È possibile accedere con un cane di piccola taglia?
Si per chi dovesse essere utile mi hanno detto di sì in braccio direttamente da chi si occupa della cattedrale
Quelia34
Montpellier, France34 contributions
Bonjour, combien de temps dure la visite svp? Merci
Isabelle D
104 contributions
Si vous faites la visite totale:cripte, trésor, toit et édifice plus le musée il faut compter 1h30 au moins.
Nancy P
1 contribution
Quanti gradini ci sono per salire sui tetti?
Alessandra1965
Prato, Italy241 contributions
tanti almeno una sessantina e sono stretti e scivolosi...bisogna avere delle ottime ginocchia
DefaultName2020349
Gap, France13 contributions
Bonjour
La cathédrale se visite t-elle le Dimanche ?
Merci
Emmanuel
Clamart, France338 contributions
Oui.
Visitée hier dimanche 11 août 2019.
Sofia V
Castelo Branco, Castelo Branco, Portugal3 contributions
hello, we are going to palermo for only a day and want to go to mondelo beach so we don't have much time to visit the city. if having to choose, is it better catedrale di palermo or norman palace? we are also on a low budget so really need to choose just one!
Jan N
Wijchen, The Netherlands1,044 contributions
If you have to choose; Norman Palace, there is only one, cathedrals there are many all over the world. BR. Jan
sergio cicchitti
Buenos Aires, Argentina24 contributions
es necesario sacar la entrada por internet o se puede adquirir en la boletería? estaremos en palermo para fines de abril
Doris B
Lyss, Switzerland282 contributions
Sie können die Kathedrale frei besichtigen. Wenn Sie noch die Gräber vom Friedrich II besichtigen wollen, dann müssen Sie zusätzlich zahlen. Der Zugang zu Kathedrale ist ohne Gebühr.
Chiara S
2,401 contributions
Buongiorno c'è un parking adiacente alla cattedrale?quanto tempo occorre per visitarla 'eventualmente mi suggerite un'itinerario vicino da poter fare 8no tour de force?
marco460
Pescara, Italy411 contributions
Parking nelle vicinanze non so, siamo nel centro storico di Palermo, consigliabile girare a piedi.
Percorso turistico nelle vicinanze:
tutta Via Vittorio Emanuele da Porta Marina a Porta Nuova, con piccole deviazioni e brevi soste a:
- Piazza della Marina,
- Porto turistico (Via Cala),
- incrocio con Via Roma (sguardo a destra e a sinistra, da tenere per un prossimo itinerario);
- incrocio con Via Maqueda (l'altro asse della vecchia città romana) detto dei "4 canti" --> deviazione imposta per piazza Pretoria (20m, Fontana Pretoria) e piazza Bellini (altri 50 m) con visita alla chiesa della Martorana e di San Cataldo;
- ritorno ai 4 canti;
- proseguire verso la Cattedrale (sguardo da fuori, poco tempo per la visita)
- Proseguire per la Villa Boxano (parco che fronteggia il palazzo dei Normanni (che custodisce la cappella Palatina e che di per sé merita una visita (vedi altra ia recensione)
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Cattedrale di Palermo
Frequently Asked Questions about Cattedrale di Palermo
- We recommend booking Cattedrale di Palermo tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 70 Cattedrale di Palermo tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Cattedrale di Palermo:
- (0.03 km) Cathedral House Design
- (0.04 km) Casa Lilian Cattedrale
- (0.05 km) I Vicini della Cattedrale
- (0.05 km) Rifinito Appartamento di fronte alla Cattedrale
- (0.06 km) Charming room overlooking the cathedral and terrace.
- Restaurants near Cattedrale di Palermo:
- (0.04 km) Bar Duomo
- (0.04 km) Il Chioschetto
- (0.05 km) Bar Marocco
- (0.07 km) MEC Restaurant
- (0.10 km) La Galleria
- Attractions near Cattedrale di Palermo:
- (0.04 km) Palermo Tour Sharing
- (0.04 km) Chiesa Maria Santissima di Piedigrotta
- (0.04 km) Cassaro Alto
- (0.05 km) Teatro dei Pupi - Famiglia Argento
- (0.06 km) Chiesa del Santissimo Salvatore