The heart of Sicily
The ever-pleasant warmth of the sun, the sea gently caressing the coast, the unique artistic and cultural heritage that mirrors the various populations that have inhabited and enriched these places. We speak of the fantastic Palermo, capital of the Kingdom of Sicily until 1816 and capital of the island. The opulence of the churches and monuments blends magically with the historic and lively district markets, such as Ballarò and the Vucciria, famous for the vast range of food and wine they offer every day.
The splendour of the Byzantine mosaics can be seen in the Cappella Palatina, inside the Palazzo dei Normanni, built in the 12th century and known for its Christ Pantocrator, placed at the apex of the dome. Then there are the qanats, the ingenious underground aqueducts of Arab-Persian origin tens of kilometres long, the gardens and the beautiful noble palaces, such as La Zisa, not far from the city centre, Palazzo Valguarnera – Gangi, where the dance scene in director Luchino Visconti’s film The Leopard was filmed and a masterful example of Sicilian Rococo, Palazzo Ajutamicristo, on Via Garibaldi, and Palazzo Mirto, now a museum. One of the best-known attractions is in Piazza Villena, known as the Quattro Canti: here you will find four decorated façades dedicated to the sovereigns Charles V, Philip II, Philip III and Philip IV and to as many patron saints, Christina, Oliva, Agata and Ninfa. In addition, you can visit the grandiose Theatre Massimo, the largest in Italy and among the most important in Europe.
The Sicilian Puppet Theatre has been a Unesco Intangible Heritage Site since 2008
Puppet opera is a type of puppet theatre whose protagonists are Charlemagne and the Paladins, fighting against the Moors. The tradition of performances is particularly lively in the cities of Palermo and Catania.
To cool off from the summer heat, we recommend a trip to the Beach of Mondello, characterised by fine sand and crystal-clear sea, or to the Petroria Fountain, with its stairways and water features, concentric pools and beautiful statues depicting the Olympian gods. In short, in Palermo you will always have something to visit! And not only to visit, but also to enjoy. In fact, this destination is ideal for those who are passionate about good Mediterranean cuisine. Centuries of various dominations have contaminated the area’s culinary tradition, and as a result we find tasty and rich dishes such as the classic caponata, the timeless arancine, pane ca meusa, panelle, and typical first courses, among which anelletti al forno and pasta alla norma reign supreme. Have fun discovering the most authentic flavours: don’t pass up a snack with the best street food in the whole of Sicily!
Palermo is also a much sought-after destination for actors and directors: the Sicilian capital will in fact be one of the main locations where the long-awaited TV series ‘Viola come il mare‘ starring Francesca Chillemi and Can Yaman will be set.
Arab-Norman Palermo has been a World Heritage Site since 2015
Festivals in Sicily
Sicily is a land of millenary traditions and spectacular celebrations, when it comes to festivities as heartfelt as Christmas or New Year’s Eve. Discover all our tips on what to see and do to spend Christmas holidays in Sicily and make your trip unforgettable!