In the historic center of Taormina, overlooking Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II and some of the city’s most important streets, stands the majestic Palazzo Corvaja. This building, with its austere lines and fascinating history, is one of Sicily’s most important architectural symbols.
The history of Palazzo Corvaja has deep roots. Its construction dates back to the period of Arab domination in Sicily (9th–10th centuries), when Taormina was a strategic center of the region. The Arabs, experts in military and defensive art, built the structure as a fortified square tower—a key control point to protect the city from enemy attacks.
The original architecture clearly shows Islamic influence with its compact shape and robust walls. This first construction represented the central nucleus of the building, around which expansions were made in subsequent centuries.
With the arrival of the Normans in the 12th century, the palace underwent significant changes. The new rulers expanded the structure and made it a fortified palace, enriching it with architectural elements inspired by Romanesque and Gothic styles. The palace thus became the seat of Norman power in Taormina, hosting the local nobility and functioning as an administrative center.
The inner courtyard, still visible today, was added precisely during this period. The decorations on the windows and arches display typical Norman art details, with geometric patterns and symbols celebrating power and Christian religion.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, under Swabian and Aragonese rule, the Palazzo Corvaja became a reference point for Taormina’s political and social life. In the 15th century, it was chosen as the seat of the Sicilian Parliament during the reign of Martin I of Aragon, hosting important meetings for political decisions in the region.
It was during this period that the Corvaja family, one of the most influential in Taormina, acquired ownership of the palace, giving it the name it still bears today. The Corvaja family lived in the palace for several centuries, enriching it with new decorative elements and expansions that reinforced its monumental character.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, the Palazzo Corvaja went through a period of abandonment and decay. Some of its original parts were damaged, while others were altered by renovations not always respectful of its history.
Fortunately, in 1984, an important restoration brought back the building’s original beauty. Today, Palazzo Corvaja is one of Taormina’s most beloved attractions, hosting exhibitions, cultural events, and permanent displays that recount the city’s history.
Beyond its historical and artistic value, Palazzo Corvaja is a place that allows you to immerse yourself in Taormina’s history through architectural details and testimonies of the past. Reasons to visit include:
A journey through time: Its medieval structure tells centuries of dominations and transformations.
Sicilian art and culture: It hosts exhibitions and events dedicated to local history and tradition.
Strategic location: Located in the heart of Taormina, near the famous Corso Umberto, it allows visitors to continue exploring the city’s marvels.
📍 Address: Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, 98039 Taormina (ME)
📜 Construction era: 9th century (Arab domination), Norman and Gothic expansions from the 12th–15th centuries
🏛️ Current use: Cultural center and exhibition venue
📍 Province: Metropolitan City of Messina
📞 Phone: 0942 23243
Palazzo Corvaja is a treasure of Taormina, a place that holds centuries of history, art, and power. Every stone tells the story of the city’s evolution and the civilizations that passed through, making it a symbol of Sicilian culture.
If you visit Taormina, don’t miss the opportunity to explore it—it’ll be a journey through time that will leave you breathless!
Palazzo Corvaja in Taormina is much more than a historic building: it is a place that has witnessed centuries of transformations, dominations, and fascinating events. Every stone tells a story, every corner hides a fragment of the past that continues to live in the present.
Few people know that Palazzo Corvaja stands on an ancient Roman site. Before the Arabs built the fortified tower in the 9th century, the site hosted a Roman forum—the center of public life in ancient Taormina. This detail suggests that the palace is not just a medieval legacy but a place that has seen the passage of even older civilizations.
On the facade of the palace, you can see various inscriptions carved into the stone, reflecting the moral and religious vision of the lords who lived there. Among them, some phrases evoke the fundamental virtues of medieval nobility: Faith, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance.
A particularly evocative inscription reads: “May this be a place of asylum for me”, a clear reference to the palace’s protective function, which in the past offered refuge to those seeking safety within its walls.
At the end of World War II, Palazzo Corvaja was in critical condition. It had been occupied by several families, and many of its original structures were damaged. It was the first post-war mayor who ordered its expropriation and full restoration, entrusted to architect Armando Dillon, the same who Thanks to this restoration, the palace regained its splendor and today is one of the city’s most representative monuments.
Today, the first floor of the palace houses the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions, where everyday objects from Sicilian culture are on display. Among the collections are:
Caltagirone ceramics
Sicilian puppets
Hand-painted carts
Traditional Albanian garments
These items tell the story of Sicily’s daily life in the past, offering visitors a journey through the island’s traditions and craftsmanship.