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Palermo is the
capital of Sicily and the fifth largest city in Italy. It has always
enchanted tourists from all aver the world with the charm of its
position in the middle of the Mediterranean, the mildness of its
climate, and the splendour of its buildings. Palermo old city centre
contains
over
500
palaces, churches, convents, and monasteries, plus seven theatres.
Traditionally divided into
four separate quarters, the old
city has its centre in the octagonal Piazza Vigliena (better known
as Quattro Canti di Città).
Palermo
main attractions:
Teatro
Massimo – The Massimo Theatre and opera house is one of the
major European theatre. It is the work of the architect Giovan
Battista Basile, who began the construction il 1875, and his son,
Ernesto, who completed it in 1897, The interior is decorated and
embellished with works of art by Civiletti, Rutelli, Ugo; the
magnificent main hall provides seating for 1,500 people arranged
in a gallery and five tiers.
Quattro Canti – The Four Screens constructed between
1608-1620, during the Spanish period as the centre of the city
and convergence of the four district. Each one is adorned with
three statues representing the four seasons, the four Spanish
viceroys and the four patron saints.
Piazza Marina – Palazzo Steri – The vaste Piazza Marina,
occupied at the centre by the Giardino Garibaldi with its
magnificent ficus magnoliodes, contains innumerable wonders: the
curch of of S. Maria of the miracles built in 1547 attributed to
F.Gagini; the Curch of S.Maria della Catena is a syntesis of
Catalan Gothic and Renaissance styles.
The Palazzo Steri was built in 1307 by Manfredi 1st of the noble
Chiaramonte family; in 17th century it was the seat of the
Inquisition.
Orto Botanico – Founded in 1875 as a project by Leon
Dufourry and Venanzio Marvuglia, the Botanical Gardens are
amongst the most interesting in Europe owing to their richness
and the abundant examples derived from a wide variety of
vegetation types wich grow throughout the world.
Stazione Centrale – The main railway station.
Palazzo Reale - Cappella Palatina – At the centre of the
old city the Royal Palace eas the residence ot the emirs, then
the Norman Kings and Spanish Viceroys, and fro 1947 the seat of
the Regional Sicilian Assembly. The palace houses the
magnificent Cappella Palatina, started in 1130 and enriched with
splendid mosaics.
Cattedrale – The magnificent cathedral Madonna Assunta,
at one time a basilica, then a mosque, conserves a rich heritage.
The presbytery, the altar and the dome house the best of the
various cultures that have followed one another and integrated
themselves in Sicily. The treasury located in the crypt includes
precious objects from the royal and imperial tombs and sacred
relics.
Mercato Vucciria – Along via Roma in the area of the
famous Vucciria market stands the Curch of S. Domenico (1640)
one of the most sumptuous buildings of the palermitan baroque
style
Giardino Inglese
–Built between 1850 and 1853 according to the typical pattern
of English Gardens
Villa Malfitano – Built as residence of Joseph
Whitaker in 1885 in neo-renaissance tuscan style
Castello della Zisa – Zisa Castle built originally
(1165-1167) as the summer residence of the Norman kings;, this
is a supreme example of Fatimid architecture.
Mercato del Capo – The Capo market extends between S.
Agostino street and Porta Carini, you can find goods, clothes
useful object for the house.
The Massimo Theatre and opera house - is one of the major
European theatre. It is the work of the architect Giovan
Battista Basile, who began the construction il 1875, and his son,
Ernesto, who completed it in 1897, The interior is decorated and
embellished with works of art by Civiletti, Rutelli, Ugo; the
magnificent main hall provides seating for 1,500 people arranged
in a gallery and five tiers. |
