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Palazzo Corvaja (sometimes spelt Palazzo Corvaia) is a medieval 
Image of Palazzo Corvaja
{{Coord, 37, 51, 13.88, N, 15, 17, 18.30, E, region:IT_scale:5000_type:landmark, display=title Buildings and structures completed in the 10th century Corvaia Taormina Buildings and structures completed in the 14th century Medieval Italian architecture 14th-century establishments in Italy 10th-century establishments in Italy
palace
A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence, or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word is derived from the Latin name palātium, for Palatine Hill in Rome which ...
in Taormina, Sicily, Italy. It was principally built at the end of the 14th century and is named after one of the oldest and most famous families of Taormina, which owned it from 1538 to 1945.
On four main floors and constructed around a courtyard, the Catalan Gothic palazzo is crenellated. The principal floor has fenestration of pairs of lancet window
A lancet window is a tall, narrow window with a pointed arch at its top. It acquired the "lancet" name from its resemblance to a lance. Instances of this architectural element are typical of Gothic church edifices of the earliest period. Lancet wi ...
s divided by columns. The courtyard walls are decorated by reliefs illustrating The Creation.
Today the palazzo is used as an exhibition centre.
History
Corvaja Palace, which is located in Piazza Badia at right angles to the church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, The origins of the palazzo incorporate an early Normanfortress
A fortification is a military construction or building designed for the defense of territories in warfare, and is also used to establish rule in a region during peacetime. The term is derived from Latin ''fortis'' ("strong") and ''facere'' ...
dating from the 12th-14th century, which in turn was constructed on Roman foundations. It was subsequently added to over various periods up until the 15th century. Its main body is an Norman-style tower, and it has an inner courtyard where the Gothic 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.Taormina in Tasca'', by Dario Flaccovio Editore, p. 50 It was renovated in 1945 by Armando Dillo, and as of 2009 it is the seat for the ''Azienda Autonoma Soggiorno e Turismo''.
References
Sources
* ''Taormina in Tasca'', published by Dario Flaccovio Editore, June 2003External links
Image of Palazzo Corvaja
{{Coord, 37, 51, 13.88, N, 15, 17, 18.30, E, region:IT_scale:5000_type:landmark, display=title Buildings and structures completed in the 10th century Corvaia Taormina Buildings and structures completed in the 14th century Medieval Italian architecture 14th-century establishments in Italy 10th-century establishments in Italy