This historic palace began as a typical cube-shaped Arab tower, built in the 10th century as part of the city’s fortifications. In the 13th century, the conquering Normans added to the palace, enlarging the tower and building a new wing. The Spanish rulers later added yet another wing to hold the Sicilian Parliament, formed in 1411. The name of the palace dates from the 16th century, when it became the property of the prominent Corvaja family, who owned the building until 1945. Palazzo Corvaja was a residential apartment building for the first half of the 20th century, and was extensively renovated after World War II. Today, it houses the Sicilian Museum of Popular Art and Traditions, as well as Taormina’s tourist information office.