Trip to Palermo – what must you see in the Sicilian capital?
Palermo is the largest city in Sicily, and also the capital of the region and the entire island. We will also venture to say that it is one of the most diverse cities in the country, and perhaps in the world. It is an absolutely unique place, full of colorful contrasts - bustling markets, ubiquitous steet art, baroque churches, sublime palaces, works of art. That's why you need to approach visiting Palermo with an open heart - it's worth seeing not only the monuments, but also (and maybe above all☺) the bustling city. We have prepared a small cheat sheet for you - check out what to see in Palermo.
The bustling streets of the city
Nothing will make you feel the magic of Palermo as much as getting lost in the charming city streets. Walk along the main arteries of the city, via Roma and Corso Vittorio Emanuele, and go even further and deeper... Go to the port, buy snacks from street vendors, go to a bar for a glass of wine, try frutta di martorana in a pastry shop... Pay attention to street art - especially in the Kalsa district and Borgo Vecchio. In the meantime, complain for a moment about the crowds, noise and car horns.
City fairs
You can wander around the colorful, lively city markets for hours. This is the perfect opportunity to shop and take a closer look at Sicilians. You can definitely feel the Arab cultural influence in such places - it's loud, crowded and simply wonderful. What will you buy at the fair? Wine, cheese, olive oil, fruit, vegetables, fish, seafood – basically everything! The markets you should visit are primarily Ballaro' Market (the largest and most interesting), Capo Market (lots of street food stands) and La Vucciria (fish market in the center of the old town).
Cappella Palatina in the Palazzo dei Normanni
The chapel in the Norman Palace, along with the entire cathedral in Monreale, was included on the UNESCO heritage list in 2015. This palace was the seat of the kings of Sicily (which is why it is also called the Royal Palace among the inhabitants), and since 1946 it has been the seat of the Sicilian Regional Assembly. Cappella Palatina is a perfect example of the so-called Norman-Arab-Byzantine art. The amazing mosaics of the Normandy style attract attention. The inside is literally breathtaking and we guarantee that you will not find such views anywhere else in the world.
Teatro Massimo
Teatro Massimo, or to be precise Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele, is the largest opera theater in Italy and the third largest in Europe. The building is undoubtedly one of the greatest built in 19th century Italy. It was made in the classicist-late Renaissance style with elements of baroque art and visible influences of Norman and Arab art. In addition to its amazing shape, it also has perfect acoustics - one of the best in the world. The theater still operates today and is known for its very high artistic level of performances.
Castello della Zisa
Castello della Zisa is another monument of Palermo associated with the Norman-Arab culture. Its architecture can be described as relatively simple, but there is undoubtedly something fascinating about it - it is clearly inspired by Moorish architecture. It was also appreciated by art experts from the UN, as the building was included on the UNESCO list.
Originally, the building served as the summer residence of Norman rulers, so we can easily see elements of Islamic art there and admire Moorish arches and decorations. Inside, the mosaic room is very impressive, and there are also various artifacts from the Mediterranean, tools and exhibits of Islamic art. From the outside of the building, the attention is drawn to the water tanks preserved in an oriental style - they look really picturesque.
Piazza Bellini
A very interesting and impressive square (actually our favorite!) in Palermo is the charming Piazza Bellini. The square is located practically in the very center of the city, in the Kalsa district, right next to the central Via Maqueda.
In Piazza Bellini you will find three churches, two of which are known not only in Sicily, but throughout Europe. San Cataldo definitely refers to Arab influences - you will certainly notice the austere façade topped with three red domes from a distance. Inside you will find early Gothic in its pure form.
In turn, the church of La Martorana from the 12th century is one of the best-preserved Gothic buildings in Palermo. Inside you will be delighted with unique mosaics. Interestingly, the church is associated with the famous Sicilian frutta martorana - it was the nuns from the monastery associated with the La Martorana church that started the production of popular marzipan sweets.
Convento dei Cappucini
The catacombs in Convento dei Cappucini evoke mixed feelings. The place is even considered depressing - after all, over 8,000 people were buried in the basement of the monastery, whose remains in costumes from a given era are now exposed to public view. We will see skulls and bones there, as well as embalmed bodies. The place can be overwhelming. Many people even believe that it should not be open to the public. However, it is undoubtedly one of the "showcases" of Palermo, which is why we decided to include it in this ranking, leaving you to form your own opinion.
