Palermo

Introduction

In the Cloisters, Basilica di Monreale, Sicily

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Palermo is the capital and largest city of the autonomous Italian region of Sicily, south of the mainland.

Neighbourhoods

Sights and Activities

• Cathedral - Most diverse church in the WORLD! This place is amazing in every way from the architecture to the beautiful space in front of the Cathedral, but what stands out to me as the best is the religious history of this Cathedral. This Catholic Cathedral has an inscription from the Koran on one of the pillars! It was a Masque before that a Byzantine Basilica before that.
• Palazzo dei Normanni - Yes, the Normans did get right down here! The building houses the Siciliann Parliament and only a small part is open to the public but some excellent msaics can be seen.
• Convento di Cappuccini - Catacombs full of skeletons, lcothed and arranged by sex, profession and status. One is a young girl who was embalmed by a secret process that died with the embalmer. She looks remarkably lifelike, as opposed to the majority. Children will be exhilarated or terrified and if in doubt, you are advised not to take them.
• San Giovanni dei Eremeti - a deconsecrated church built over an earlier mosque with numerous arabic features.
• La Martorana and San Catoldo churches adjacent churches slap in the centre. The Martorana is very ornate with some fine mosaics; San Catoldo is very simple but has a great atmosphere - and red cupolas!
• La Zisa - A palace dating from the 12th century with Arabic features. Claims that it bares comparison with the great Andalusian Moorish remains is absurd but it's quite striking.
• Monte Pellegrino - reached by a wonderful bus ride with great views of the coast - taking a path to the top might seem more appealing than visiting the shrine!
• Archaeological Museum - the mosaic of orpheus playing an instrument to the animals is very good indeed.
• Quattro Canti - The Best intersection in Palermo...This place is super easy to find. It is in the middle of everything and only takes a few min to visit. It is next to Piazza Pretoria and San Giuseppe which are two ther places I would recommend visiting. The intersection always has horse carriage rides. The statues are four Spanish kings or almost kings (check Wikipedia for the whole super exciting story) It's pretty dirty and kinda stinks like homeless people and horse pee. Over all I really do like it. I first used this place as a reference point on my map when I got lost.
• Ballarò - It is a local street market that has become the main street market of Palermo. The mix of smells and people and cultures all in one market. You can glimpse into the life of the real people of the city. You can purchase everything from food to clothes to toys for your kids.
• Massimo - 2nd largest theater in ALL of Europe. It is actually the 3rd largest building (theater) but the second largest stage... this place is HUGE! So big in fact that they would use actual Elephants on stage. It really is a must see on your visit to Palermo. It is close and in easy walking distance to almost everything. There are tons of good places to eat close and there are times when you can get tours of Massimo. During Christmas time the Christmas decorations are stunning.
• Parco D'Orleans Crazy Birds! A world of exotic birds! It is a perfectly maintained park. Everything from the little signs talking about the different species of birds to the perfectly hedged greenery. Oddly enough there are goats there too. I got a good chuckle out of the sign that said please don't feed the goats because what people were feeding them gave them health problems so now they are on a strict diet. There are birds of all types from ALL over the world. I have since then read that this park is ONLY for parents who wish to bring their kids. I have been there several times without any hassle. If you just walk in, don't speak Italian, don't stop, start taking pictures asap, I believe the men inside the booth couldn't care less. If they do say something to you just start speaking English and hold up your camera and point to it. I'm sure at that point they will realize you are a tourist and not bother trying to explain to you that you should have kids with you. I also read that this park was just finished in 2010 and is part of a bigger plan. It will only be a small section of the larger park that will have an outdoor theater, an artificial lake, bike paths and trails.
• Villa Giulia - Best park in Palermo. Villa Giullia is one of those hidden gems in Palermo. It is very beautiful and peaceful. There are never very many people there even during the peak of summer with all the tourist. There is a really cool sundial in the middle of the park. This thing is the most complex sundial I have ever seen. Other statues around the park are dedicated to famous people from the past of Palermo. The location is a bit out of the way but worth the walk if you have time.
• Giardino Garibaldi- Nice little park with a the oldest ficus in Palermo. You may see a family or a romantic rendezvous when you visit this small park. It is known for the tree but most of the locals refer to this place as Piazza Marina. On sunday mornings there is a market where you can find odds and ends and a hodge-podge of Palermo antiques.

Monreale

[quote][/the most extraordinary and extensive area of Christian medieval mosaicwork in the world, the apex of Sicilian-Roman art] - The Rough Guide to Sicily. Hype? Not a bit of it! This is one of the real must-sees of a visit to Sicily. This refers to the Basilica but don't miss the cloisters as well, through a separate entrance.

Events and Festivals

St. Rosalia
One of the biggest festivals in Palermo is that of St. Rosalia. She is the Patroness of Palermo. On July 15 all the city celebrates and the streets are full of lights and processions. According to legend, Rosalia was born of a Norman noble family that claimed descent from Charlemagne. Devoutly religious, she retired to life as a hermit in a cave on Mount Pellegrino, where she died alone in 1166. Tradition says that she was led to the cave by two angels. On the cave wall she wrote "I, Rosalia, daughter of Sinibald, Lord of Roses, and Quisquina, have taken the resolution to live in this cave for the love of my Lord, Jesus Christ."
In 1624, a horrible plague haunted Palermo, and during this hardship St Rosalia appeared first to a sick woman, then to a hunter to whom she indicated where her remains were to be found. She ordered him to bring her bones to Palermo and have them carried in procession through the city.
The hunter climbed the mountain and found her bones in the cave as described. He did what she had asked in the apparition, and after the procession the plague ceased. After this St Rosalia would be venerated as the patron saint of Palermo, and a sanctuary was built in the cave where her remains were discovered.

Weather

Palermo has a mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild wet winters. Summers last from June to September when average daytime temperatures are around 30 °C, though sometimes rise to more than 40 °C. Nights are around 21 °C, though with warm winds from the south also these can stay above 30 °C in some rarer occasions! Winters last from December to March and are around 16 °C to 18 °C during the day and just under 10 at night with an absolute low of zero degrees. Winter days of over 25 °C are rare but possible! Most of the rain falls during winter and June and July are almost completely dry.

Getting There

By Plane

Palermo Airport (PMO) is the main gateway. A few dozen of airlines serve the airport, and from late 2010, Ryanair will expand their services to Palermo from quite a few other European cities. In some cases it might be easier/cheaper to fly to Catania-Fontanarossa Airport and complete the journey by train or bus from there.

By Train

There is one main train station in Palermo "Stazione Centrale". Trenitalia is the Company that runs all the trains in Italy. There are trains that run almost every half hour to places like cefalu and Messina. Train travel to the mainland Italy is also possible. Your train will be loaded onto a boat and then cross over from Messina to Calabria.

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Tunesia

• GNV has ferries from Palermo to Tunis.
• Grimaldi Lines offers the same route.

Mainland Italy and Sardinia

• Grandi Navi Veloci between Genoa and Palermo, Civitavecchia (port of Rome) and Palermo.
• SNAV Ferries between Civitavecchia and Palermo, Napels and Palermo.
• Grimaldi Lines between Salerno and Palermo.
• Tirrenia Ferries between Napels and Palermo, Cagliari and Palermo.

Neighbouring smaller islands

• Traghetti Siremar between Palermo and Ustica Island.

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

By Foot

By Bike

Eat

Palermo is known for it's food. Because it has been conqured by so many cultures each has left it's mark and can be seen by the diverse mixture of food. Here is a list of some of the better known food!

Arancine
Fried ball of rice stuffed with butter and cheese or meat and veggies.

Crocchette
Mashed potatos with butter, eggs, and spices. They are covered in bread crumbs then deep fried.

Frittola
This meat is like our spam... nobody really knows exactly what it is made of. We do know it's fried.

Milza
Spleen sandwich usually with shredded parmesan cheese and a little lemon juice.

Pane & Panelle
Smashed chickpeas that are deep fried, salt is usually added then put inside some bread

Pezzi di Rosticceria
Baked bread usually with some cheese, tomato sauce, and sometimes a hotdog inside.

Quarume
Boiled veal with onions, celery, carrots, parsley. Served hot with salt, pepper, olive oil, and lemon.

Sfincione
Baked pizza bread with a tomato sauce, onion, usually spicy and with no cheese.

Stigghiole
Lamb intestines on a stick with parsley and onion. Usually seasoned with salt and lemon.

Babà
Muffin soaked in rum, and sometimes filled with whipped cream or pastry cream.

Buccellato
Similar to our fruitcake and seen during the holidays. Usually includes dried or candied fruit.

Cannoli
Fried shells made of dough, filled with sweet ricotta. My personal favorite sweet!

Cartocci
Basically the same as a Cannoli except the bread is soft on the outside. Ricotta filled topped with sugar.

Cassata
Ricotta, sponge cake, marzipan, candied fruit, icing and sometimes chocolate or nuts are added.

Cassata al Forno
Sweet ricotta and cream pie with mixed in little pieces of chocolate. Topped with powdered sugar.

Cassatella
Mini version of the Cassata. Seen in many stores, it is basically a single serving of the much larger cake.

Frutta di Martorana
Traditional marzipan sweets made for festival of the dead. Made in the shape of fruits and vegetables.

Gelato
Exactly like ice cream except a million times better and fattier. My personal favorite is amarena.

Granita di Limone
Chrushed ice with sugar and lemon. Often eaten with a sweet bread called brioche.

Granita di Mandorle
Chrushed ice with sugar and almonds. Often eaten with a sweet bread called brioche.

Pignolata
Fried bread balls covered with honey usually served during carnival festival.

Pupi di Zucchero
Statues made of pure sugar! Around November 2nd they are common for the festival of the dead.

Scorze di Agrumi Candite
Candied orange peels sometimes dipped in chocolate. Usually served around Christmas time.

Sfinci di San Giuseppe
The bread is sweet and almost has a pancake feel. Topped with ricotta and an orange peel or a cherry.

Agnello al Forno alla Palermitana
Lamb marinated in oil and red wine. Served with potatoes, onions, garlic cloves, celery, sliced carrots, a little salt, black pepper and rosemary.

Caponata
Cooked vegetable salad made from chopped and fried eggplant and celery seasoned with sweetened vinegar, with capers in a sweet and sour sauce.

Cozze Gratinate
Mussels are usually served as an appitiser. Ingredients: mussels, garlic, parsley, breadcrumbs, and extra virgin olive oil.

Insalata Frutti di Mare
A delicious mixture of squid, shrimp, tuna, crab, octopus, muscles, pepers, tomatoes. Served cold with minced garlic, parsley, salt, and lemon juice.

Involtini Pesce Spada
Thin slices of swordfish, wrapped around chopped parsley, basil, provolone, eggs and grated bread crumbs. Sprinkle with salt, papper and oil.

Olive Condite
Served as an appetizer. Olives, fresh mint, oregano, rosemary, chopped red peppers, garlic, olive oil, and salt.

Pesce Spada
Grilled swordfish with chopped sage, laurel, rosemary, and garlic. Then sprinkled with salt, pepper, and olive oil. Served with diced carrots, celery, shallots in wine, and lemon wedges.

Polpette di Sarde e Patate
Mashed sardines made into balls with cheese, parsley, egg, chopped shallots, salt, pepper and a handful of breadcrumbs. Then fry in olive oil and add potatoes with a thick tomato sauce.

Polpo Bollito
Boiled octopus is a simple recipe. It is usually served with white wine and seasoned with lemon juice, olive oil and chopped parsley then mixed and served.

Pomodori Secchi
My love for tomatoes made me put these delicious gifts from the Gods here! Sliced in half then dried with salt and the Sicilian sun for days. Before eating soaked in olive oil. Best with Ricotta and bread!

Ricci di Mare
Sea urchins cooked with extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and white wine. The eggs are the editable part. This is usually part of a pasta dish but sometimes eaten alone.

Sarde a Beccafico
Sardines, Anchovy fillets in oil, breadcrumbs, romano cheese, pine nuts, raisins, parsley, bay leaves, lemons, sugar, salt and pepper. Cooked and served on a skewer.

Drink

Sleep

Budget

Mid-Range

Upscale

Work

Learn

Keep Connected

Internet

There are many places to use the internet. If you look along the main streets like Via Maqueda and Via Roma. Any where Near the central station and up to quattro Canti. The rates usually differ but expect about 2 euros per hour. There used to be a law they you had to provide your passport to be able to use the internet but I am not sure if that exist anymore.

Phone

International phone call centers are very common place central Palermo because of all the foreigners here. Many places are run by Indians and they usually speak english. Check to see how much per min for the country you are calling and then when you are in the booth dial the country code (the US is 001) then the phone number with area code and then when you hear the person pick up you MUST press the button on the little white box that is mounted in front of you on the wall. This button allows the person to hear you.
See also International Telephone Calls

Post

Post Italiane is the national postal services of Italy and has quite an efficient network of postal offices and reliable postal services. Standard letters and postcards (up to 20 grams) cost €0.39 to send within Europe and the Mediterranean countries outside Europe and €0.41 to all other destinations throughout the country. Up to 50 grams, prices start at €0.52 for Europe, €0.62 for other areas. Packages start at €1.55 within Europe, and around €2.50 for other countries. Post office business hours in Italy are from 8:30am to 2:00pm from Monday to Friday, with closing times at Saturday and the last day of the month at 12 noon.