Located on the slopes of Monte Grifone, in the southern outskirts of Palermo, today almost hidden from view by the buildings around it, the “castle” of Favara or Maredolce was probably built during the Arab period between 998 and 1019, during the rule of the Kalbita emir “Ja’Far II”, as a suburban residence. Under Roger II, the castle underwent extensive transformation and expansion, becoming one of the “solatii regii”, the pleasure places of the Norman sovereigns. The construction of the beautiful fishpond called by the Arabic term “Albehira” is also attributed to the first Norman king of Sicily; it was fed by a plentiful spring at the foot of the mountain (the Fawwarah spring) from which the water was channeled. The original building, as can still be seen, was surrounded on three sides by the water of an artificial lake which, due to its large size, took the name “Maredolce”, into which fish of various species from different regions were introduced, as recorded by contemporary chronicles. The lake was navigated by the king and his court for their personal pleasure, and was also used, given the great number of fish, as a fishing reserve. The palace has a rectangular plan with an indentation in the east corner, which breaks the linearity of its shape. The façades are marked by a series of recessed arches, some of which were discovered during restoration works, with windows clearly of Islamic origin arranged freely. The Favara chapel, perhaps located on the same site as the original private mosque of the emir, features traditional themes of Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture. Indeed, the single-nave layout is unmistakably Byzantine, as is its orientation, with the apse facing east according to the tradition of the church of Byzantium. Outside the palace, many historians mention the presence of a thermal complex, confirming that the ancient “Portae Thermarum” (Porta Termini) took its name not from the city of Termini, but from the thermal baths of Maredolce, located a few miles from the city.
Information about Favara Castle at Maredolce
Via Giafar
Palermo (Palermo)
https://www.palermoweb.com
Source: MIBACT
