Resumen de L’Hosterium magnum di Matteo Sclafani a Palermo. Architettura e restauri
The process of refeudalization of Sicily, mostly supported by Chiaramonte’s family, begun after the War of Vespers (12821302). The construction of imposing buildings undoubtedly marks an epochal transition. It is a demonstration of clients aware of their role and, also, an excellent pretext to affirm with pride the economic, political and cultural supremacy. In the “frame” of the fourteenth century civil architecture of western Sicily, the Chiaramonte and Sclafani palaces in Palermo stand out in the medieval urban context. This contribution retraces the history of the palace built in 1330 by Matteo Sclafani in Palermo nearby the old Royal Palace. Its unusual dimensions (50 x 50 meters), compared to those of other coeval noble residences, further confirm the importance of the client. The intertwining of indirect sources, the bibliographic and the archival research, together with the study of the building, has allowed the researchers to deepen the history of Palazzo Sclafani.
