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Palermo - Ancient Sicily
Palermo is a confined tour in time. This way has passed all the great societies of the region leaving their mark on this bustling city - Phoenician, Byzantine, Arab, Norman, British, Roman, Greek and Spanish all contributed their walls, fortresses, churches and public buildings. Palermo has much to offer; perhaps best of all is simply walking and drinking in the bustle of the day's activities, markets and refuge of its restaurants during the afternoon break. If there is one street that is the artery of what Palermo has to offer, similar to Rome, it is the Corso that runs from the port and heads south into the heart of it all. Beginning at the port and heading south along Corso toward La Cuba you pass more than eight significant churches, numerous piazza, villas and palaces. The Catacombs of Cappuccini Long before the Cappuccini became a double decaf with a knock of chocolate, the friars of Cappuccini were quickly becoming proficient at the art of mummification. Throughout Italy the friars had a fascination for bones, skulls and the preservation of the deceased body. But here in Palermo at the Convent of the Cappuccini from the 16th century on they seemed to excel in this morbid little task and churned out more than 8000 encased children and adults. Dressed and propped up through their catacombs. Stop by and pick up a postcard for the folks at home. The Cathedral of Palermo The cathedral was first begun in the 12th century. Originally designed as a Byzantine structure that was later renovated as a Mosque to provide a place of worship for the Islamic influence on this island. Later with Christian influence and construction that spanned hundreds of years the cathedral took shape as an enormously impressive, and aesthetically intriguing structure. The Gothic facade (which took more than 200 years to complete) is nothing less than awesome. Not to be missed. The Palazzo Reale Erected on Punic and Roman ruins and looming large in the city is the Palazzo Reale. Today it serves primarily as a the Parliament for Sicily, but within for public viewing are rooms of sumptuous regal splendor, gilt, rich mosaic and treasures you would never associate with the ../image many have of poor, dusty little Sicily. Piazza Vigliena The Four Corners of ancient Palermo. Busy? Yes. Interesting? Yep, historic too as this is the very heart of old Palermo. Designed, built and adorned with fountains in the late 1500's. Be careful crossing the street here. Teatro Massimo Sicily, not to be outdone by its intrusive republic neighbor to the north, has built the second largest opera stage in Europe: the unwieldy and recently renovated Teatro Massimo at Piazza Verde. Check out the interior - impressive enough for Francis Ford Coppola's inspiration for a Godfather scene. Outside the City
Two good tours just outside of Palermo suggested by our local friend Giovanni, are Monreale and Mondello.
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