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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3.5
630 reviews
Excellent
171
Very good
185
Average
134
Poor
77
Terrible
63
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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
July 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.
Amaresh A
Piazza Armerina, Italy73 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
The visit surprised me positively. The castle is truly beautiful and imposing with its mixtures of Arab nature. The first natural air cooling system is present. Unfortunately, due to ongoing renovations, it is not possible to go up to the terrace and the main entrance is only visible from afar. Internally the site is in good condition but externally it is neglected, full of weeds and with a supposedly never-ending restoration. Overall the Zisa is definitely worth a visit.
Written 6 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.
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.
Luana C
3 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
The castle inside is well kept although, in terms of archaeological finds you will not find much but above all finds not found in the castle but
Coming from other sites. The fountain room, on the ground floor, which is the fulcrum of the entire castle, is unfortunately only visible from a side opening and not from the front as would have been appropriate and optimal to fully enjoy its splendor. Unfortunately the site is affected by renovation works that have lasted for years and are not yet completed which make it impossible to visit the gardens which, on the entrance side are full of barriers, and on the fountain room side it is not possible to visit. It would have been optimal to have a connection to the room from there to admire it in all its splendor.
Entrance to access neglected, full of rubbish and full of barriers due to works. Even the garden, entrance side full of barriers.
Site not adequately valued for being a UNESCO site which should therefore be at the TOP.
Coming from other sites. The fountain room, on the ground floor, which is the fulcrum of the entire castle, is unfortunately only visible from a side opening and not from the front as would have been appropriate and optimal to fully enjoy its splendor. Unfortunately the site is affected by renovation works that have lasted for years and are not yet completed which make it impossible to visit the gardens which, on the entrance side are full of barriers, and on the fountain room side it is not possible to visit. It would have been optimal to have a connection to the room from there to admire it in all its splendor.
Entrance to access neglected, full of rubbish and full of barriers due to works. Even the garden, entrance side full of barriers.
Site not adequately valued for being a UNESCO site which should therefore be at the TOP.
Written 1 April 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.
Sara S
Rome, Italy3,014 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
It's a bit far from the usual tourist routes but just if you have time left over you could pop in. The ticket costs €7, there are works in progress which I hope will make the visit more pleasant and interesting in the future, now seeing the outside with tall weeds certainly doesn't appeal. Of course it would help to put something with films and projections to make the visit more interesting to fully understand the beauty of what was.
Written 3 April 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.
claudio s
Porto Ercole, Italy1,846 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Certainly interesting also for the notable restoration work that has been done. The illustrative signs explaining the origins of the castle are very good and the finds that can be seen inside are interesting. It's a shame about the gardens which are completely abandoned and unkempt and give a bad look to the entire area surrounding the castle.
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.
Giuseppe P
Syracuse, Italy1,437 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
This castle really has enormous potential and despite this it is quite neglected on the outside, the fountain with stagnant water with the jets turned off, the garden without character... The outside under the castle is in total disrepair with lots of tall grass. The interior, however, is well looked after and clean, it's a shame that the most beautiful room is not open but can only be visited from the side. In short, a place with potential but left semi-abandoned.
Written 2 April 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.
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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