The Cuba (Sicilian: La Cubba) is a palace in the Sicilian city of Palermo. It was built in 1180 by William II of Sicily in his great Royal Park, as his personal recreation pavilion, together with an artificial lake: it shows strong Fatimid art influences, as it was (at least partially) designed and decorated by Arab artists still living in Palermo after the Norman conquest in 1072. During the rule of Bourbon kings of Naples it was annexed to a barracks. In the 16th century it was turned into a lepers' colony.
The edifice has a rectangular plan, with massive forms. The four façades are marked by blind arcades, small windows, and niches. The name Cuba derives in fact from its approximately cubical form. The famous Italian Middle Ages author Boccaccio was impressed by the Cuba and set here one of the novellas included in the Decameron.

The Cubola or Little Cuba is another edifice built by William II for his park, in smaller dimensions. The most striking feature of the Cubola is the little hemi-spherical cupola.

Cuba Palace

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The Zisa is a castle in the western part of Palermo in Sicily, southern Italy. It is included in the UNESCO Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale World Heritage Site.

The construction was begun in the 12th century by Arabian craftsmen for king William I of Sicily, and completed by his son William II. The edifice had been conceived as summer residence for the Norman kings, as a part of the large hunting resort known as Genoardo (Arabic: Jannat al-arḍ, literally "Paradise on Earth") that included also the Cuba Sottana, the Cuba Soprana and the Uscibene palace.

The Zisa is clearly inspired by Moorish architecture. The name Zisa itself derives from the Arab term al-Azīz, meaning "dear" or "splendid". The same word, in Naskh script, is impressed in the entrance, according to the usual habit for the main Islamic edifices of the time.
In the 14th century merlons were added, by partly destroying the Arab inscription (in Kufic characters) which embellished the upper part of the edifice. More substantial modifications were introduced in the 17th century, when the Zisa, reduced to very poor conditions, was purchased by Giovanni di Sandoval e Platamone, Marquis of S. Giovanni la Mendola, Prince of Castelreale, Lord of the Mezzagrana and the Zisa. The latter's marble coat of arms with two lions can be seen over the entrance fornix. Several rooms of the interior were modified and others added on the ceiling, a great stair was built, as well as new external windows.

From 1808 to the 1950s the building was used a residence by the princes Notarbartolo di Sciara. Acquired by the Region of Sicilia and restored in the 1970s and 1980s (the Northern part had crumbled down in 1971 and has been rebuilt along the original lines), the Zisa today is opened to tourists. Some rooms houses Islamic art pieces, tools and artifacts from the Mediterranean area. The most notable room is the central hall, with a mosaic decoration; once it had a fountain too, from which the water flowed outside. On 3 July 2015 it became UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Zisa (Palermo)

Castello a Mare (Italian pronunciation: [kaˈstɛllo a mˈmaːre]) or Castellammare (pronounced [kaˌstɛllamˈmaːre]) is an ancient fortress that guarded the entrance to the port at Palermo in La Cala. Extensive remains are visible, some of which are open to the public. There is a Norman keep, a fortified gate or entrance, and remains of a sophisticated Renaissance star-shaped defence.

Castello a Mare

The Maredolce Castle (Italian: Castello di Maredolce), also called Favara Palace (Italian: Palazzo della Favara), is a medieval building of Palermo. During the Siculo-Norman age it represented one of the "Solatii Regii" of the Kings of Sicily in the capital city. It is located within Favara Park, in the neighbourhood of Brancaccio.
The origins of the building remains shrouded in mystery. Some scholars tend to attribute the foundation of the castle to the emir Ja'far al-Kalbi (998-1019), believing that it was built over a preexisting structure. Other scholars believe that the castle dates back to the Norman era, although others consider that just the lake of the Favara Park was realized in the age of the Hauteville dynasty. The first documents regarding the castle and its park are the "Chronicon sive Annales" of Romuald Guarna and a poem of the muslim poet Abd ar-Rahman al-Itrabanishi (12th century).

In 1071, during the military campaign to conquer Palermo, the area of the castle was occupied by the Norman Count Roger I. After a few decades, it was used as one of the "Solatii Regii" erected along the royal parks of the city and, thus, became one of the royal residence of the first King of Sicily, Roger II. The structure was a part of a fortified complex located at the foot of Monte Grifone, probably closed within a surrounding wall including the palace, a ḥammām and an artificial lake.

In 1328 the King Frederick III gave the castle and the park to the Teutonic Order, whose headquarters was at the Basilica della Magione. During this period the structure was used as a hospital. In the 15th century the castle passed to the noble family Beccadelli di Bologna. In 17th century another change of ownership occurred and the castle was ceded to the Duke Francesco Agraz. Under the ownership of the Agraz family the building was left in a state of massive neglect and, thus, became known with the epithet of "Castellaccio".


Castello di Maredolce

Since its recent opening, the Utveggio Castle, a liberty palace resembling a neo-Gothic castle, located on Mount Pellegrino overlooking Palermo, has attracted more than a thousand visitors. Starting today, the beautiful park surrounding the building will also be open to the public.  

The visit features a tour of the spacious rooms, the library and spectacular terraces. It includes a visit to the room on the third floor where Pope John Paul II stayed on November 23, 1995. The room has since remained the same and hasn’t been occupied by anyone else.

On the second floor, the tour stops at the “Board of Directors” room, the Collura Room, where a photo exhibit shows the political figures who have stayed at the castle (previously a hotel), and the President Room.  The visit concludes on the terraces. Here, visitors will enjoy the same spectacular view from Mount Pellegrino that Goethe, in its “Italian Journey” book, described as the most beautiful in the world. The most panoramic spot is the lookout tower where telescopes have been placed so visitors can admire the Teatro Massimo, the Politeama Theater, the villas and the Favorita Park.

The palace was originally built in the 1920s to serve as a luxury hotel, but it wasn't successful and had to close down. It was later acquired by the region and restored, and finally opened to the public.

https://www.italymagazine.com

Utveggio Castle 

About 5 kilometers north of Monreale on the steep, winding Via San Martino we come to the Castellaccio (literally "Big Castle"), perched atop Mount Caputo, over seven hundred metres above sea level. The castle is a twelfth-century fortress erected by the Normans.

Its strategic position was intended to guard all the possible approaches to the city, either by land or by sea. This castle is one of a handful of medieval fortresses left standing in the immediate Palermo area, the others being the largely reconstructed Steri (in Piazza Marina in Palermo) and the ruins of Castello al Mare (near the Port of Palermo), neither of which retains much of its original form as Castellaccio. The fortress provides one of the most spectacular views of the area, so make sure you visit on a clear day if possible. The castle is well preserved owing to its rather remote location. The ride from Monreale takes about 15 minutes, and once you park on the side of the road (or in the small parking lot) you have to take a fairly demanding 20-minute hike up a winding path along the side of the mountain to reach the castle. This hike is never advised for any but the fit or stout-hearted. The castle itself is sometimes open during tourist season, with tours arranged by the Sicilian Alpine Club. (The club may make special arrangements for your visit, especially if you are part of a large group or organization.) The castle can be visited when it's closed, if you want to see the exterior and view the magnificent panorama. It's also a good place to have a picnic or to enjoy nature.

http://www.bestofsicily.com

Castellaccio Castle 

Visit Carini
Carini is a large town near to Palermo on the north coast of Sicily. The old town sits about 170 meters above sea level though streets and houses descend as far as the sea.

The main attraction of Canini is as a shopping destination and it has one of the biggest shopping areas of Sicily. The old town though does have some highlights worth visiting.
There is a chapel in the eastern section with frescoes from the 17th century and a wooden tabernacle also from the 17th century. The inner facade of the castle which can be seen from the courtyard has been renovated in Renaissance style and decorated with the coat of arms of the La Grua family.

The castle was the setting for a tragedy in 1563 when the Baronessa di Carini was murdered by her own father in an honour killing because of her affair with another man when married. Her husband killed her lover and both men, her father and husband, were pardoned by King Philip II for their crimes after citing medieval law as their defense!
Explore Carini
The castle of Carini dominates the skyline and the old centre of Carini. A castle has occupied the location since Norman times in the 11th century though the current castle was extensively renovated in the 16th century.

The ground floor originally contained the food hall but was converted into a library. The upper floor is the Festival Hall with an attractive decorated ceiling and access to the large square tower.

https://www.sicily-visitor.com