Il Castello della Zisa
Il Castello della Zisa
3.5
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This 12th-century palace features elaborate arches along the front façade and the “Fountain Room,” which is the castle’s main reception area that reaches two-stories in height.
Duration: < 1 hour
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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3.5
630 reviews
Excellent
171
Very good
185
Average
134
Poor
77
Terrible
63
TJAOAK
Oakland, CA23 contributions
May 2024 • Family
Even if I lived in Palermo I would probably not ever visit Zisa Palace. I can't recall what misinformation I read that led me to believe that it would be worthwhile but I want to forewarn others to avoid the same fate. Only art historians researching EVERY example of Arab-Norman architecture need to visit. The one solace I take is my €6 entrance fee will go towards the eventual reconstruction of this building. Next time I'm in Palermo I'll skip the visit and give them a donation online.
Written 10 May 2024
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.
Dennis W
3 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
The few original columns and fixtures, along with the fountain room were the only things really worth seeing. The artefacts housed in the building are mostly ordinary pottery and screens with the exception of a tombstone with writing in multiple languages.
All the signs are in Italian and to the average person with little beforehand knowledge of Palermo's history, there's little to appreciate here. I think at the moment with the fountain room being closed off, this building isn't worth the €7 entry fee.
All the signs are in Italian and to the average person with little beforehand knowledge of Palermo's history, there's little to appreciate here. I think at the moment with the fountain room being closed off, this building isn't worth the €7 entry fee.
Written 8 August 2024
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.
Ahj
Audley, UK9 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
No information was in English, we had no idea what we were looking at. A staff member followed us at a distance which made is feel watched and uncomfortable.
At six euros a ticket, it's a complete waste, and can very much be admired from the outside.
At six euros a ticket, it's a complete waste, and can very much be admired from the outside.
Written 17 July 2020
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.
Emer
4 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
The fountain room was under construction which we were not told. The rest had been reconstructed to be a modern building that looked more like an empty art gallery. No context regarding any of the rooms. Boring. The best bit were the cute cats outside. The bathroom was gross.
The ticket we bought on trip adviser was for 18.30 pm and we were told on arrival that the palace closes at 18.30!!
The ticket we bought on trip adviser was for 18.30 pm and we were told on arrival that the palace closes at 18.30!!
Written 23 August 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.
DustinWil
Auckland, New Zealand12 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
The Zisa is a very interesting example of Norman-Arab architecture and decoration. But it has had to be extensively restored, plus the “fountain room” on the ground floor is closed for restoration and without that the visit is rather ho-hum. Also it’s a shame the gardens in front of the structure, relandscaped several years ago, have been let go.
Written 15 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.
Dr. Bob
Holiday, FL797 contributions
Sept 2013 • Friends
For the architecturally sophisticated, this Norman structure, incorporating Fatimid elements, and named La Zisa (from the Arabic for "the splendid") will be of interest, but for the ordinary visitor the complete absence of signage and labels, the overwhelming number of custodians who remind one that photography is not permitted, and the maze-like warren of corridors and rooms may be a bit overwhelmingly boring. Nevertheless one might want to make the trip to see the mosaics on the ground floor, the grand room on the upper floor, and the remarkable hexagonal tomb stone (perhaps from a sarcophagus) commemorating Anna, mother of Grisanto, a Norman cleric, in four languages--Latin, Greek, Arabic, and Hebrew. The laconic paper label does not do justice to this significant object which most guide books pass over it in silence.
Written 23 September 2013
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.
Twobusinapod
London, UK26 contributions
Jun 2012 • Couples
First of all, the museum was closed so although we were very interested in the history of the building, but were unable to discover any of it. We then decided to walk around the gardens instead and were very disappointed by what we saw - very poorly maintained, in urgent need of some loving care. The fountains were not on at the time, which took away from any of the water features that were there - not a fan of stone features. Absolute trek to walk to from the city centre and unfortunately not worth it.
Such a shame that the site looked so beautiful in pictures. Lovely Norman architecture with extensive gardens totally let down by a lack of financing.
Also - struggled to find a way in and out. Wanted to vault the gate out but it was too high. Very shady entrance, dodgy youth in dark corners.
Such a shame that the site looked so beautiful in pictures. Lovely Norman architecture with extensive gardens totally let down by a lack of financing.
Also - struggled to find a way in and out. Wanted to vault the gate out but it was too high. Very shady entrance, dodgy youth in dark corners.
Written 18 November 2012
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.
Graham C
Edinburgh, UK102 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
A little of the beaten track, this building tells a remarkable story of how the Normans quickly adapted to a Mediterranean lifestyle of wine and dancers.
The building itself was cleverly designed to be comfortable in the hottest weather, using many of the features that you may recognise from the Arab buildings of Seville and Granada.
An understated masterpiece, don’t miss the mosaics!
The building itself was cleverly designed to be comfortable in the hottest weather, using many of the features that you may recognise from the Arab buildings of Seville and Granada.
An understated masterpiece, don’t miss the mosaics!
Written 11 October 2018
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.
Peter C
43 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
Saw this on Trip Advisor and decided to take a look - pleasantly surprised given some earlier reviews. The castle has been sympathetically restored, so you can get a great idea of what it would have been like in its heyday. Remnants of Arab ceilings, some mosaics in the entrance hall, and some excellent examples of early Arabic metalwork - would definitely recommend, but would also agree with earlier reviewers, this needs more multi-lingual info to really do it justice.
Written 9 July 2016
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.
permia
Ireland64,692 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
The first vistas are marvellous. It splendidly stands uncrowded against the background hills. Even though the Normans built it, its design is Arabic.
Scarce water being sacred in Arab life and culture is reflected in the wonderful approach with the series of water elements leading to the castle. Inside it features again with the decorative fountain funnelling water to an outside pool where fish were kept.
The Zisa tour is interesting with some fine rooms over two levels. There are numerous attractive decorative features. The stonework is exceptional and it includes lovely honeycombed aspects.
Scarce water being sacred in Arab life and culture is reflected in the wonderful approach with the series of water elements leading to the castle. Inside it features again with the decorative fountain funnelling water to an outside pool where fish were kept.
The Zisa tour is interesting with some fine rooms over two levels. There are numerous attractive decorative features. The stonework is exceptional and it includes lovely honeycombed aspects.
Written 3 December 2014
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.
Is this the palace that Queen Joanna of England sister of Richard I was held hostage in by Tancred before King Richard set uer at liberty?
Written 16 September 2019
Hi. As you’ve probably read in my summation, there was very little English translation on the displays. What there was usually described the items that were in the display cases. Having a quick look in Wikipedia it looks like it might be the same Palace as Queen Joanna lived as she was married to William the second, who finished the castle after inheriting it from his father. Tancred was William the second’s illegitimate son, so there is strong evidence that it was. Hope this has helped.
Written 21 September 2019
Quanto tempo ci vuole a visitare tutto?
Written 29 July 2019
Buonasera, giorno 8/12/18 (festa dell’immacolata) è possibile che il giardino sia aperto fino a tardo pomeriggio? Grazie
Written 5 December 2018
Buonasera, giorno 8/12/18 (festa dell’immacolata) è possibile che il giardino sia aperto fino a tardo pomeriggio? Grazie
Written 5 December 2018
come ci siete arrivati? a piedi o con i mezzi mi piacerebbe trovare un giro organizzato per vedere nella stessa mattinata La Zisa e La cuba. conoscete qualcosa? Grazie
Written 26 April 2018
A piedi .... una bella passeggiata non guasta!!!
Written 28 April 2018
Fuori dal castello, in una via anonima che costeggia l'ampio giardino interno puoi parcheggiare. La via dà sul retro del castello. Tu accedi da un piccolo cancello e poi ti dirigi verso la biglietteria
Written 9 January 2018
Non so, mi dispiace. Buon viaggio e buon divertimento.
Written 17 October 2017
Credo di sì, non c'è un gran controllo e poi non ho visto nessun divieto
Written 7 September 2017
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