Castello Della Cuba

La Cuba is a historic castle in the west of Palermo and one of the most impressive examples of the Arab-Norman style in Sicily. Its name comes from the Arabic word for dome. The building was constructed in the 12th century under King William II on an island in an artificial lake and originally formed part of the royal park. Over the centuries it changed hands several times, passing from private owners to the Crown and later serving as a military hospital and then as barracks. Today the building belongs to the state and lies within a Carabinieri barracks, but it remains open to visitors.

The architecture stands out for its cube-shaped structure on a rectangular floor plan, shaped by Arab influences. The facades are articulated by blind arches, small windows, and niches, with projecting central bays at the middle of each side. A characteristic feature is the frieze running around the building with a Kufic inscription naming the builder and the year of completion. Inside there was once an open atrium with a star-shaped basin and an imposing main hall whose walls were decorated with muqarnas.

Because of lengthy restoration work that only began in 1921, La Cuba today appears mostly as an empty rectangle of walls. Many of the original interior walls and roofs were removed to undo later alterations. Even so, the partially preserved supporting arches, vaults, and damaged muqarnas structures hint at how magnificent the castle was in its heyday. Nearby you will also find the Cubula, the last surviving pavilion of the former park.