Visitors' Guide To Palermo   by Rite Rodder

in Travel / Destinations    (submitted 2011-07-03)

The city was established by the Phoenicians, but identified by the Primeval Greeks as Panormus which means largest port of all seas. Palermo converted into an involvement of the Roman Empire and ultimately merged with the Byzantine Empire, for nearly 1000 years. From the year 827 to 1071 it was under the influence of Arab rule during the Emirate of Sicily when it first became a capital. Following the Norman takeover, Palermo became capital of a new kingdom from 1130 to 1816, the Kingdom of Sicily. Finally it would be combined with the Monarchy of Naples to shape the Two Sicilies until the Italian unification of 1860.

Palermo is said to be a capital of the crime in the past. But today under the influences of the Arab and Norman this city, in a little more than two hours flight by air from Paris, offers a mixture of art and unique architecture. The main arteries are quickly renovated while the streets preserve varied evidences of the past with dilapidated palaces and abandoned gardens. It is one of the appealing architectural jewels of the Mediterranean.

Stroll Through The Historic Centre

Now follows the mandatory access to Palermo. Here is the heart of the city formerly led by Arabs and Normans. Here is the Palatine Chapel! The building is a summary of the past inhabitants of Palermo. Upon arrival one can distinguish the beautiful Palace of three floors of fixings. Then discover the sanctuary, a small jewel started by the very enlightened Roger II of Sicily, and later dedicated to Saint Peter. It remains a blissful admiration before the very devious Chris Pant, with amazing covering of the ceiling and of the central nave in wood. What catch a stiff neck!

If you have a bit of luck, outside of parliamentary sessions, visit the Royal apartments on the floors. Also visit the Cathedral, where styles accumulate without great emotion inside, while the exterior of the building offers a mixture of attractive Arab and Normand styles.

There is nothing to see with the Martorana, one of our favorite places. Church of the 12th century was lost in the vegetation. It hangs from the top of the campanile with great elegance. It is worth an admiration especially for its Complex mosaics and the representation of Roger II, at the entrance to the right. The luckiest are those having the chance to also visit the Palazzo Gangi, Palace of the 18th century, which had the honor of hosting in one of his shows the famous scene of the ball in the Cheetah of Luchino Visconti with Delon and Cardinal.

Around Teatro Massimo and Piazza Marina

The streets overheated with sunshine in the vicinity of piazza Marina provoke the curiosity of the guest to wander. At the end of the day, after the NAP, just enjoy her ice or her slush unless you crave for a cannoli (fried dough with a filling, including with chocolate) or an apostolo dita (Finger Apostle). The piazza restaurant has a lot of charm with her garden at center. It is rich in statues of illustrious premises with endless roots of trees all around many Palace facades and all are most beautiful.

One of the Palazzo Dagnino's weaknesses of the 18th century is that you recognize by its surging Atlanteans of stone, bearing of medallions. The sea is within two steps. Do not miss the Quattro Canti when going back to see one of the major intersections of the city. The "four corners" are decorated Baroque houses damn that were used to delineate areas of the city in the seventeenth century.

One of our favorite places nearby is the piazza Pretoria, with a monumental fountain of the 16th century. You can watch small animals grinning when they approaching to you. Further to the north of the Sicilian capital, the music lovers will be fascinated by the Teatro immense, Massimo, all restored in 1997. More than 1,350 places for 700 actors! One of the largest rooms of Europe! AIDA is often played and we understand why the elephants can be easily introduced on the scene without difficulty.

The Nearest Vicinity

There is no visit to Palermo without a stop (accessible by bus from the independence square) at the convent of the Capuchins. All begins in the 16th century and today there are nearly 8,000 well preserved corpses. Their particularity is that the body is presented vertically against the walls or in glazed coffins for better viewing. It seems that the painter Velasquez would have found refuge for eternity there. (As some people say) But we reach nearly to the end when we see the young Rosalia Lombardo who died at the age of 2 years in 1920 and is surprisingly well preserved

About the Author

The author of this article, Rite Rodder, is a full-time travel booking manager and author on the subject of leisure travel. Also, she has a particular interest in reduced rate travel planning. On behalf of several web sites owners she spends most of her time writing contents for web publication for financial rewards in return.