A Quick Tour Of Italy - Palermo, Sicily
Author: Levi Reiss
If you are looking for a European tourist destination,
consider the island of Sicily, a region of southern Italy.
Depending on your interests, this beautiful area can be an
ideal vacation spot. You can get classic Italian food, and
wash it down with fine local wine. And parts of Sicily
haven't yet been discovered by tourists. This article
presents Sicily's capital, Palermo. Companion articles
present western Sicily and eastern Sicily.
Palermo is Sicily's capital and largest city with a
population of about 700,000. It was founded in the Eighth
Century B. C. by the Phoenicians who wanted to take
advantage of its natural harbor. This strategically
situated city was conquered again and again. For example,
it was once a Muslim city with two or three hundred
Mosques. The period of the Norman occupation starting in
1072 and lasting for well over one hundred years was
considered Palermo's golden age. The conquests continued
almost unabated. Palermo was heavily destroyed during the
Second World War. To some extent Palermo is still in the
hands of a conqueror, the Mafia.
Start at the Cathedral, built in 1185 on the site of a
Byzantine basilica transformed into a mosque by the
Saracens in the Ninth Century. Other historic churches
worth visiting include San Giovanni dei Lebbrosi, San
Giovanni degli Eremiti, and the Greek Orthodox church La
Martorana. Many churches and other buildings are situated
in or near beautiful parks.
The Teatro Massimo (Great Theater) is Italy's largest opera
house. The movie Godfather Part III included a famous
scene, violent of course, that occurred on the Teatro's
steps.
The Palazzo Reale was the seat of government for centuries.
It is now the home of the Sicilian Parliament. The Palatine
Chapel was the royal chapel of the Norman kings of Sicily.
Its mosaics are well worth seeing. The building and its
furnishings are a great combination of Arabic, Byzantine,
and Norman styles.
Make sure to see the Salinas Regional Museum of Archeology
with its prehistoric cave drawings. Then for a change of
pace visit the Museo delle Marionette many of whose
marionettes are hundreds of years old.
Finish your tour at the Piazza Pretoria (Pretoria Square).
The fountain dominating the square contains hundreds of
sculptures whose lack of clothing led to the name,
"Fountain of Shame". We suggest that you see this square at
night.
Sicily has always adapted foreign foods to come up with
Sicilian versions. Put all the foreign influences together
and you have the unique Sicilian cuisine. See our companion
article I Love Touring Italy - Palermo, Sicily for a sample
menu and more information on local wines as well as an
in-depth examination of its tourist attractions. Marsala
DOC, first exported to England well over two hundred years
ago, is Sicily's best-known wine. Most Marsalas are sweet;
some are great, others are not.
About the Author:
Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on
computers and the Internet, but he prefers drinking fine
Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods and
people. He knows about dieting but now eats and drinks what
he wants, in moderation. He teaches classes in computers at
an Ontario French-language community college. Visit his
Italian travel website http://www.travelitalytravel.com
which focuses on local wine and food.
Author: Levi Reiss
If you are looking for a European tourist destination,
consider the island of Sicily, a region of southern Italy.
Depending on your interests, this beautiful area can be an
ideal vacation spot. You can get classic Italian food, and
wash it down with fine local wine. And parts of Sicily
haven't yet been discovered by tourists. This article
presents Sicily's capital, Palermo. Companion articles
present western Sicily and eastern Sicily.
Palermo is Sicily's capital and largest city with a
population of about 700,000. It was founded in the Eighth
Century B. C. by the Phoenicians who wanted to take
advantage of its natural harbor. This strategically
situated city was conquered again and again. For example,
it was once a Muslim city with two or three hundred
Mosques. The period of the Norman occupation starting in
1072 and lasting for well over one hundred years was
considered Palermo's golden age. The conquests continued
almost unabated. Palermo was heavily destroyed during the
Second World War. To some extent Palermo is still in the
hands of a conqueror, the Mafia.
Start at the Cathedral, built in 1185 on the site of a
Byzantine basilica transformed into a mosque by the
Saracens in the Ninth Century. Other historic churches
worth visiting include San Giovanni dei Lebbrosi, San
Giovanni degli Eremiti, and the Greek Orthodox church La
Martorana. Many churches and other buildings are situated
in or near beautiful parks.
The Teatro Massimo (Great Theater) is Italy's largest opera
house. The movie Godfather Part III included a famous
scene, violent of course, that occurred on the Teatro's
steps.
The Palazzo Reale was the seat of government for centuries.
It is now the home of the Sicilian Parliament. The Palatine
Chapel was the royal chapel of the Norman kings of Sicily.
Its mosaics are well worth seeing. The building and its
furnishings are a great combination of Arabic, Byzantine,
and Norman styles.
Make sure to see the Salinas Regional Museum of Archeology
with its prehistoric cave drawings. Then for a change of
pace visit the Museo delle Marionette many of whose
marionettes are hundreds of years old.
Finish your tour at the Piazza Pretoria (Pretoria Square).
The fountain dominating the square contains hundreds of
sculptures whose lack of clothing led to the name,
"Fountain of Shame". We suggest that you see this square at
night.
Sicily has always adapted foreign foods to come up with
Sicilian versions. Put all the foreign influences together
and you have the unique Sicilian cuisine. See our companion
article I Love Touring Italy - Palermo, Sicily for a sample
menu and more information on local wines as well as an
in-depth examination of its tourist attractions. Marsala
DOC, first exported to England well over two hundred years
ago, is Sicily's best-known wine. Most Marsalas are sweet;
some are great, others are not.
About the Author:
Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on
computers and the Internet, but he prefers drinking fine
Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods and
people. He knows about dieting but now eats and drinks what
he wants, in moderation. He teaches classes in computers at
an Ontario French-language community college. Visit his
Italian travel website http://www.travelitalytravel.com
which focuses on local wine and food.
