Monumental complex of the Steri

The Monumental complex of the Steri houses the crucial centre of all the executive and administrative activities of the University of Palermo. In fact, inside the buildings that make it up, in addition to the Rectorate and the General Management, are located all the offices, part of the huge administrative machine working for the entire University.

It can be accessed from 59, Piazza Marina, through a wooden door or directly through the vehicle access (61, Piazza Marina).

The complex was formed over time around the Chiaramonte Palace, starting in 1330, date of its construction. It is a small agglormerate of historical buildings of great value, distributed over a total area of  about 1600 square metres, between Piazza Marina, vicolo Sant'Uffizio, vicolo Lo Bianco e via Scopari. It may look like a real small neighbourhood where they are connected by squares and tiny paved streets.

The monumental complex includes the Palazzo Chiaramonte or Steri, Palazzo Abatelli, built in the 16th century but reshaped several times, and the Prison of the Penitenziati dating back to the early of 17th century.

Adjacent to the palace there is also the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate, private chapel of the Chiaramonte family, the neoclassical Palace of the Regio Lotto (half 19th century) and other small buildings of equal interest.