Palermo

PALERMO

The city of Palermo (from the greek Pan-Ormos "all port") is the capital of Sicily.

The plain of Palermo, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea with the mountains behind, form the Conca d'Oro, so called because of the typical colors of citrus fruit that once dominated the landscape.

Palermo was founded in 734 BC by the Phoenicians, as Zyz. Until that time the area was a trading center for the north-west Sicily.

In the past it was a land of conquest by the Sicani, Cretans, Elimi, Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Swabians, Angevins, Aragoneses, Spanish and Austrians. All these people have left monuments and remains outstanding throughout the territory.

You can find it also in the following routes:

GALLERY

HISTORICAL THEATERS OF PALERMO

In the historic center of Palermo, two theaters are located among the most important in Europe, the Teatro Massimo and Teatro Politeama.

Both theaters were built in the eighteenth century.

RELIGIOUS PLACES

Palermo was conquered by many people who have left the territory of religious monuments of the highest quality. Among them you can not miss the Cathedral, the Norman Palace and the numerous churches built in different styles depending on the population that dominated the city at that time.

HISTORIC SQUARES OF PALERMO

Walking through the center of Palermo is inevitable passing near Piazza Pretoria.

From there you can admire the Quattro Canti, orthogonal square of high value, and the Fountain of Shame, built in the fifteenth century.

HISTORICAL MARKETS OF PALERMO

The four historical markets of Palermo are: Vucciria, the Capo, the Vecchio Borgo and the Ballaro, they are real living monuments. Walking through the streets of these markets, you can, in fact, learn very well the traditions of Palermo.