The history of the palace goes back to the 9th century during the time of
Arab rule, but probably goes back even further. The Arabs built the palace on
an older Roman and Punic fortress. Over time it was abandoned by the Arabs, and
the conquering Normans restored it
into a sumptuous residence. The Normans
came and went, and by the mid-16th century the palace was in serious decay
until discovered anew by Spanish viceroys, who in 1555 began its rescue and
once again turned it into a royal residence. Today it is the seat of Sicily's
semi-autonomous regional government.
One first enters the Salone d'Ercole, the chamber of the
Sicilian Parliament. The salon is named for the mammoth frescoes, created by
Giuseppe Velasquez in the 19th century, depicting the Twelve Labours of
Hercules. Only six panels are visible as the others are concealed behind
the gallery. The most dramatic scene is the slaying of the multi-headed Hydra
of Lerna. You definitely won't want to adopt the three-headed dog, Cerberus, as
your pet.
The Sala di Ruggero II is where
King Roger himself slept. It's decorated with 12th-century mosaics. Look for
depictions of the peacock; it was said, symbolically, that the flesh of the
peacock would never rot for eternity. Another charming room is the Hall of
Mirrors, sometimes called the "Yellow Hall" because of all its
stunning candelabra.