The palace , located on the northern side of the Cathedral square , was begun in 1696 after the devastating earthquake of 1693 , its original designed having been commissioned to Giovan Battista Longobardo . The eastern , southern , and western façades were however designed at a later stage by Giovan Battista Vaccarini , while the northern one was by Carmelo Battaglia . The staircase opening to the inner court with four porticoes was added in the late 18th century by Stefano Ittar . In the second floor are paintings by the Sicilian artist Giuseppe Sciuti
earthquake of 1693
1693 Sicily earthquake
Palazzo degli Elefanti