Cappella Palatina (Palazzo dei Normanni)

One of Sicily's most-visited sights is the intimate chapel at Palermo's Norman Palace. Commissioned by Roger II in 1130 (but recently restored), the chapel is a breathtaking, multi-tired room of floor-to-ceiling mosaics, inlaid marble floors and a stunning, painted wooden ceiling. It truly feels like walking into a precious jewel box and should not be missed on a trip to Palermo.

The rest of the palazzo is also worth a visit (when it's not used by the Sicilian Parliament, it's open to the public), as are the ancient Phoenician walls on view in the cellar. But the gilded star is, undoubtedly the cappella, the brilliant work of Byzantine Greek craftsmen brought to Palermo by Roger II in a forward-thinking way of collaborative interior design.

Indagare Tip: Since it is the city's prime attraction, it pays to come right when the palace opens, especially since only a limited amount of people are allowed in at a time. Alternatively, come around lunchtime when the crowds thin out.