Corvaja Palace
Encyclopedia
Corvaja Palace is a medieval Sicilian palace, dating from the 10th century. It is located in the popular tourist resort of Taormina
in the Province of Messina
. It was originally built by the Arabs and takes it name from the Corvaja family, who were amongst Taormina's most important aristocrats and owned it from 1538 to 1945.
at right angles to the church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, was originally built in the 10th century by the Arabs who then ruled Taormina, having conquered the town in 902. It was subsequently added to over various periods up until the 15th century. Its main body is an Arabic tower
, and it has an inner courtyard where the Arabic influence can be seen in the arched windows and doorways. A 13th century staircase leads up to the first floor and an ornamental balcony which overlooks the courtyard.
In 1410, Corvaja Palace housed the Sicilian Parliament. It was renovated in 1945 by Armando Dillo, and as of 2009 it is the seat for the Azienda Autonoma Soggiorno e Turismo.
Taormina
Taormina is a comune and small town on the east coast of the island of Sicily, Italy, in the Province of Messina, about midway between Messina and Catania. Taormina has been a very popular tourist destination since the 19th century...
in the Province of Messina
Province of Messina
Messina is a province in the autonomous island region of Sicily in Italy. Its capital is the city of Messina.-Geography and demography :...
. It was originally built by the Arabs and takes it name from the Corvaja family, who were amongst Taormina's most important aristocrats and owned it from 1538 to 1945.
History
Corvaja Palace, which is located in Piazza Badia in Taormina, SicilySicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
at right angles to the church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, was originally built in the 10th century by the Arabs who then ruled Taormina, having conquered the town in 902. It was subsequently added to over various periods up until the 15th century. Its main body is an Arabic tower
Tower
A tower is a tall structure, usually taller than it is wide, often by a significant margin. Towers are distinguished from masts by their lack of guy-wires....
, and it has an inner courtyard where the Arabic influence can be seen in the arched windows and doorways. A 13th century staircase leads up to the first floor and an ornamental balcony which overlooks the courtyard.
In 1410, Corvaja Palace housed the Sicilian Parliament. It was renovated in 1945 by Armando Dillo, and as of 2009 it is the seat for the Azienda Autonoma Soggiorno e Turismo.