Palermo

Palermo is a city that is 3,000 years old. Very ancient origins and testified by the discovery of rock engravings dating back to the Paleolithic age. Unlike other cities, Palermo was not founded by the Greeks but by the Phoenicians (Carthaginians) in the 8th century BC. The city has been ruled by numerous peoples -Carthaginians, Greeks, Arabs, and Normans- and each of them has contributed to its current aspect. Until 1861, the year of Italian unification, it was the capital of the Kingdom of Sicily.
Foreign domination has given the capital a unique appearance. The best rulers for Palermo were the Arabs: in this period the city experienced a period of prosperity. In any case, each era has contributed to the development of Palermo, leaving behind unparalleled historical monuments, ready to leave anyone speechless.
To get an idea of the authentic flavor of this place there is nothing better than a nice walk through its streets. Palermo is comparable to a time machine; walking through it, you’ll travel through the centuries. Turning a single corner could completely change the atmosphere.
The center of Palermo is divided into 4 parts by the two main streets, via Corso Vittorio Emanuele and via Maqueda. Their crossing with the “Quattro Canti” is a kind of zero kilometer. The most representative monument of this city is certainly the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Mary, whose construction began in 1170. It is a mixture of functions and styles: from neoclassical elements to Baroque and then Gothic. A fascinating place to understand its history and discover its treasures: among chapels, frescoes, tombs and a particular sundial. Next to the cathedral a place you must pass by is the Praetorian Fountain made in 1554.
Another UNESCO heritage site is the Norman (or Royal) Palace, which is the oldest Royal residence in Europe. It contains the Palatine Chapel, erected in 1130 and decorated with Byzantine mosaics and Arab paintings. Because of its combination of styles, it is the symbol of the cultural synthesis of this place. Among Palermo’s monuments we can note the vast presents of religious buildings including for example the Church of St. Maria dell’Ammiraglio The latter known as the Martorana. It was built in Norman times and decorated with 12th-century mosaics. The biggest opera house in Italy is also located in Palermo, namely the Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele, famous for its imposing neoclassical facade. Enriching this magnificent city, full of layered cultures, art and history, are also the famous historic markets and protected natural areas.