The Sicilian Folklore Museum in Taormina, March 2005

Palazzo Corvaja – The main heart of the building which includes the square tower and the central section overlooking the internal courtyard, dates from the Arab epoch. The left wing and the staircase leading to the first floor were added in the 13th century, while the right wing dates from the 15th century. Having been abandoned and left to become completely dilapidated over the years, it was completely restored after the Second World War. A succession of styles are clearly discernible: the top of the tower is Arab, the two-light windows of the state room (13th century) and the elegant front entrance are Gothic-Catalan (the stairway before it is ornamented with shallow relief panels depicting scenes from Genesis; alas, badly damaged), the so-called Sala del Parlamento (in the right wing) is Norman – so-called because the Sicilian Parliament used to meet here in the 15th century. The offices located off the courtyard, on the right, are in part occupied by APT, the Sicilian Tourist Authorities; they also display various typical Sicilian puppets and splendidly ornate Sicilian carts, intricately carved and decorated with wrought-iron fixtures. On close observation, these examples of traditional folk art will reveal a host of minute detail which could pass unnoticed at a single glance.

Sicilian Museum of art and folk traditions – Housed in Palazzo Corvaja, this Museum exhibits some figurative art and some examples of Sicilian craftsmen’s art created in the period from the 16th to the 20th century. The exhibits included wooden sculptures, ceramics, Sicilian carts, and posters of puppet shows.

Text from: www.sicilyweb.com/english/messina/taormina.htm and www.travelplan.it/taormina_guide_churches_museums.htm