~ Top 10 Of The Most Attractive Places In Palermo, Italy ~

[MysteRy]

Top 10 Of The Most Attractive Places In Palermo, Italy

Welcome to Palermo, the capital of Sicily and a city famous across the world for its history and its food. It’s the ideal place for a city break; a vibrant place filled with a variety of beautiful, ancient buildings and surrounded by beautiful expanses of rolling countryside which provide those internationally famous restaurants with the freshest produce every day.


1. The Normans' Royal Palace
 


We are in the heart of that most mysterious region of Italy; Sicily. This autonomous state has been held apart from the rest of Italy by geography and by ruling authority. The Palzzo dei Normanni was the seat for the former Kings of Sicily while the Normans were trying their best to dominate Europe and after they had gone they stayed there. Nowadays however it is where the regional parliament meet but as a tourist, it is quite simply the most beautiful, historically important building in the region. It was build initially in the 9th century and since then it has been added to and each resident has put their own stamp on an area of the building making a tour of it a walk through the major architectural periods of Europe.

[MysteRy]

2. Zisa Castle   



Not far away is the castle at Zisa. It was built by the kings as a summer residence, although from the imposing structure you might think it was more somewhere that they would retreat to in times of danger. However, the name provides a key indicator about the role of this region as a link between Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The name comes from the Arab term for noble an clear sign of not only the sort of people who would spend their time here, but also where how important Sicily has been outside Italy and the rest of Europe.

[MysteRy]

3. San Giovanni Degli Eremiti
 


Now, since you are in Italy you won’t be surprised to see that there is a wide range of church buildings for you to see. Religion is placed above the law here, as was evidenced by the mafia’s respect for Roman Catholic buildings when they were dominant. The San Giovani degli Eremiti is not only a bit of a mouthful it is also one of the most beautiful churches in Italy, let alone Sicily and it is just one example of the church’s influence, even in this corner of Italy.

[MysteRy]

4. Massimo Theater   



However, if you want to simply enjoy a bit of sun while you wander around the capital you want to stop off at the Teatro Politeama. The square in front of this magnificent olf building is a natural meeting point for citizens and tourists alike, who come to explore this spectacular old building, the statues which adorn it and the neatly kept gardens which surround it. It’s the perfect place to stop and enjoy some of the famous Italian Ice Cream or a freshly made deli sandwich.

[MysteRy]

5. The Botanic Garden   



That said, if you are someone who prefers a slightly quieter spot to enjoy a bit of down time on your holiday, and perhaps you have a green thumb, the Botanic gardens are naturally the place that will interest you most. It’s a quiet green oasis in the heart of an urban environment. The smells from the citrus trees will take your mind right out of the city and there are also plenty of buildings to enjoy in one of the oldest and richest botanical gardens in Europe.

[MysteRy]

6. Cathedral Of Palermo   



As we noted above the beating heart of this city is the Roman Catholic faith and it has been for almost over 1,500 years, as is evidenced by the Cattedrale di Palermo; the most imposing, beautiful and soulful building in the whole of the region. The first structure on the site was a simple, cemetery chapel while was latterly converted to a basilica in the 4th century. However, when this was destroyed by vandals a larger building was comissioned which amazingly was converted into a mosque when it fell under Arab domination. However, the Normans ultimately reclaimed it for Christianity and after an earthquake destroyed the building in the mid 11th century the current incarnation was built. It has undergone extensive remodeling since then but all the same, it remains a spectacular building which can be appreciated by people of any religious background, thanks to the architectural features, frescos and paintings which adorn the walls and roof of this unique building.

[MysteRy]

7. The Fountain Of Shame
 


One of the best things about this part of Italy, in fact one of the things that make it so ideal for the short city break is the range of things to see. If castles and churches aren’t your thing then why not visit the Fountain of Shame? It was originally designed for a private garden, but instead this giant fountain is located in a cobblestone square surrounded by Baroque balconies. Where better to soak up some of the Mediterranean sun that bathes this area throughout the year and put your feet up after a long day of site seeing?

[MysteRy]

8. Utveggio Castle   



High up on Mt Pellegrino sits Utveggio Castle. A quick look at the arches and large windows will tell you that, despite the advantageous location this castle arguably wasn’t designed particularly with warfare in mind. It looks a lot more like a grand, stately home but when you are here, we can guarantee that you won’t spend much time looking at the building. Instead you will have your back to it, because this is simply the best vantage point to see across Sicily. From here you can see all the sites you have visited, all those you will see, right across to the sea and the beaches. On a clear day you can see for miles and it is well worth the walk up in the heat.

[MysteRy]

9. Villa Trabia   



In contrast, the aristocratic residence of Villa Trabia doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is; a sprawling manor house with gardens that are the envy of people across Europe. The first thing you will notice is that there is a very French feel to the architecture, and that would be because of the Norman influence in these parts. It would be just at home in the south of France so if you like architecture from across Europe this is the place to be.

[MysteRy]

10. Palermo Beaches



However, even the most die hard of site seers will occasionally want to spend some time away from the buildings, the churches and the fountains and enjoy the Mediterranean. The bay of Mondello is just one of the beaches that you can enjoy, arching into the city like a crescent moon and filled with azure blue ocean. If you have been reading this and thinking that Palermo isn’t somewhere you would go for a beach holiday you could not be more wrong. There are plenty to choose from and where better to soak up the sun that gazing out over the sea surrounded by vibrant bars and beautiful restaurants known for stunning seafood and Italian favourites.


If it is the sun that you are chasing, the best times to visit this little gem of a city is between May and November, although the average temperature even in January is 11.5 degrees, which if you might well enjoy if you are used to the frost bitten windows but don’t want to go too far. There is never a bad time to visit this beautiful and unique part of the Mediterranean, whether you are looking to absorb the romantic history, the bloody history of the mafia or simply want a city that offers it all. Your unforgettable Sicilian holiday begins the second you fly over the bay and drink in the view, from the terra-cotta roof slates to the white walls, the green gardens and olive trees to the blue bays it is a sensory explosion that can only be found in Palermo.