Zisa, Palermo

Coordinates: 38°07′00″N 13°20′29″E / 38.11667°N 13.34139°E / 38.11667; 13.34139
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Zisa Palace
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Zisa of Palermo
LocationPalermo, Sicily, Italy
Part ofArab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalú and Monreale
Reference1487-006
Inscription2015 (39th Session)
Area0.8 ha (2.0 acres)
Coordinates38°07′00″N 13°20′29″E / 38.11667°N 13.34139°E / 38.11667; 13.34139
Zisa, Palermo is located in Sicily
Zisa, Palermo
Location of Zisa, Palermo in Sicily
Zisa, Palermo is located in Italy
Zisa, Palermo
Zisa, Palermo (Italy)

The Zisa is a grand 12th-century Norman hunting lodge and summer palace in the western area of Palermo, region of Sicily, Italy. The edifice was begun around 1165 by Arab craftsman under the rule of the Norman conqueror of Sicily, king William I of Sicily. It was not finished until 1189, under the rule of William II. It is presently open to the public for tours.

The name Zisa derives from the Arab term al-Azīz, meaning "dear" or "splendid".

Tancred of Sicily due to her backing Princess Constance
aunt of William II to ascend the throne.

At the end of the 15th century the building fell into disrepair while in private hands. In 1635, a new owner, Giovanni de Sandoval, cousin to the

Viceroy of Sicily, acquired the palace for free due to its poor state.[3] The palace remained in the hands of the Sandoval family until 1808, when it was eventually fell again to ruin once again. From 1808 to the 1950s the building was used a residence by the princes Notarbartolo di Sciara.[4] In the 1990s, the building was picked up for restoration by the Region of Sicily. In July 2015 it was included in the UNESCO Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale World Heritage Site.[5]

Architectural style

The structure includes Islamic elements such as muqarnas, and vaulted niches. In the 14th century merlons were added, by partly destroying the Arab inscription (in Kufic characters) which embellished the upper part of the building.[6] 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.[7] 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.

Use

As the Zisa was originally built as a semi-rural summer home, many of the styling choices reflect this. A pool at the front of the building flowed through open channels into the interior to the main hall. The architect chose to use thicker material for building and smaller windows to keep a stable internal temperature. The castle had a fully functional air conditioning system that allowed airflow throughout the whole of the building that was heavily inspired by Egyptian and Mesopotamian architectural styles and the architect also made the conscious choice to build the building facing towards the ocean.

Usage of thick building material and small windows for temperature control

Gallery

  • La Zisa, c. 1880
    La Zisa, c. 1880
  • Niche with fountain in the main hall
    Niche with fountain in the main hall
  • Vestibule
    Vestibule
  • The hall on the second floor
    The hall on the second floor
  • Niche with murquanas
    Niche with murquanas
  • Garden and fountain
    Garden and fountain
  • Crupi, Giovanni (1849-1925)
    Crupi, Giovanni (1849-1925)
  • Castello della Zisa (1892)
    Castello della Zisa (1892)

See also

References

  1. ISBN 9781461749295
    .
  2. ISBN 9789004252530
    .
  3. ^ "Zisa". Photo Archive. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Zisa Early medieval hunting castle in the Arab Norman style". Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  5. ^ "Zisa Palace, Palermo - UNESCO".
  6. ^ "The Zisa of Palermo - Qantara". Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  7. ISBN 9788827831984
    .

Bibliography

Wikimedia Commons has media related to La Ziza, Palermo.
  • Giuseppe Bellafiore: La Zisa di Palermo, Flaccovio, Palermo, 1994.
  • Donald Matthew: The Norman Kingdom of Sicily, Cambridge University Press, 1992.
  • John Julius Norwich: The Normans in Sicily: The Normans in the South 1016-1130 and the Kingdom in the Sun 1130-1194, Penguin, 1992.
  • Seindal, René. 2003. "Zisa: Early Medieval Hunting Castle in the Arab Norman Style". http://sights.seindal.dk/ sight/76_Zisa.html.
  • “La Zisa - Palermo, Italy.” Atlas Obscura, Atlas Obscura, 29 Nov. 2013, https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/la-zisa.
  • "La Zisa". 1997. Storia dei Monumenti Siciliani Website. http://www.grifasi-sicilia.com/monumpalermo1.htm
  • "Palazzo della Ziza". Le Normands: Peuple d'Europe Website. http://www.mondes-normands.caen.fr/angleterre/ Patrimoine_architectural/Italie/sicile/palazzi/1154_1189/38/index.htm.
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