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Sightseeing in Palermo - what to see. Complete travel guide

This is a beautiful and original city, the real heart of Sicily. Norman Palace, the building of which was started by the Arabs, is the symbol of the city. According to the plan this was meant to be a perfectly fortified citadel, and in the result was built a luxurious residence that became the main place of interest of the city. Palermo has managed to keep many historic monuments, and each of them has a great interest to visitors.
In the city you can see numerous old churches and cathedrals, the most famous of which are Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio, the Church of San Cataldo, La Mortarana and Il Duomo Cathedral that is famous far beyond the country's borders. An interesting fact – the majority of the religious buildings in Palermo have been created on the site of Islamic mosques. Capuchin Catacombs are one of the darkest and most symbolic places of the city. This is a real underground city, which was built by monks in medieval times. The unique properties of the underground atmosphere made the mummifying of the body really simple, so many years the Catacombs were considered the most prestigious place for burial. Today the underground tunnels keep approximately 8000 sarcophagi.
Once you leave the dark tunnels, is it time to go to the markets of Palermo, which always amaze visitors by their beauty and a rich choice of products. They are more like luxury fairs rather than the traditional Italian markets. La Vucciria Market offers best seafood, and Mercato di Capo has a department with clothing and accessories besides grocery. Nature lovers should make a walk to the foot of San Pellegrino Mountain to see real orange groves, valleys and mountain streams. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
Discovering the architecture of Palermo from bird's eye view! Teatro Massimo, Palazzo dei Normanni, Zisa, Santa Maria della Catena, San Giovanni degli Eremiti, Stadio Renzo Barbera, all those monuments are defining the image of Palermo … Open
An original architectural attraction is Cuba Palace. Built in the 12th century, it had been the residence of Sicilian kings for many years. The name of the palace derives from its regular cube shape; it is designed in the best traditions of the Moorish style. Many elements of the building's original decoration have been preserved. Now the ancient palace houses an interesting museum dedicated to the Arab culture.
Another vivid monument of the early Middle Ages is the Zisa Palace built more than 800 years ago. This magnificent palace was erected by the order of King William I, who later used it as a hunting residence. Over the years, the palace has been rebuilt many times, so almost completely lost its original look. Today it is characterized by typical classic medieval features. This palace is open to the public and houses the Museum of Islamic Art.
Palermo Cathedral, San Giuseppe dei Teatini, Villa Giulia, Catacombe dei Cappuccini, La Martorana, as well as many others, they all become the world's cultural heritage objects and remain as iconic monuments for Palermo … Open
Theater fans should definitely visit the Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele. It is Italy's biggest opera house and one of the largest in Europe, which regularly welcomes world-class opera singers on its stage. The sumptuous opera house was built in the late 19th century. It occupies a very beautiful classical building supplemented by original elements of decoration in the ancient Greek style. Nearby is a small landscaped garden, as well as some beautiful well-preserved old sculptures.
Palermo Cathedral The city has many interesting museums, and International Puppet Museum deserves special attention. Founded in 1975, today the museum offers an extensive exposition including over 4,000 exhibits. Here you can see beautiful puppets brought from different countries of the world. In the museum, you can also discover a lot of other unusual exhibits dedicated to puppet theater art.
Palermo boasts a variety of restaurants of Italian cuisine, each being able to impress its visitors with inimitable house specialities and drinks. However the city of Palermo is not limited … Open
No less interesting is the Archaeological Museum, which bears the name of Antonio Salinas. Its location is a luxury 17th-century building, which originally served as a monastery. Hundreds of unique exhibits are collected within the walls of the picturesque building. One of the most valuable ones is considered a 3rd-century panel depicting Orpheus. After the excursion, guests of the museum should definitely take a stroll through the courtyard, which is decorated with ornamental plants and antique-style sculptures.
Palermo - guide chapters 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

City tours, excursions and tickets in Palermo and surroundings

Reference information
Map of all shopping areas
Shopping streets in Palermo
♥   Shopping area ' Via Roma' Palermo, 0.4 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Shopping area ' Via Ruggero Settimo' Palermo, 1.1 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Shopping area ' Viale della Libertà' Palermo, 2.6 km from the center. On the map   Photo
Map of all castles
Survived castles around Palermo
♥   Castle 'Zisa' Palermo, 2.2 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Castle 'Cuba' Palermo, 2.3 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Castle 'Castello di Caccamo' Caccamo, 32.9 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Castle 'Castello di Calatubo' Alcamo, 35.3 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Castle 'Castello dei Conti di Modica' Alcamo, 38.2 km from the center. On the map   Photo
Map of all art museums
Art galleries in Palermo and around
♥   Art museum 'Palazzo Abatellis' Palermo, 0.4 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Art museum 'Museo archeologico regionale Antonio Salinas' Palermo, 0.7 km from the center. On the map   Photo

Sights around Palermo from our guide 'Extreme places on Earth'

Santa Maria dello Spasimo

From the series “Famous unfinished buildings ”
The building began to be used for various public events from 1582. It was converted into an infirmary during another plague epidemic in the late 17th century. The building was used as a warehouse for some time. The church building began to gradually collapse in the middle of the 18th century. A shelter for the poor was opened here in 1855. The building remained in this status until 1985. It was declared a historical monument of national significance about 30 years ago. It is used for theatrical and musical performances today. … Read further
Car rental on OrangeSmile.com Rentals in Palermo

Thailand Relaxes Its COVID-19 Policy

New Year events in Thailand are likely to bring more people this year because everyone is tired of lockdowns and craving normal life. Many tourists, who book hotels in Pattaya, Krabi, or Phuket for the holiday season, also want to participate. As champagne has become an essential drink for New Year celebrations, the question regarding alcohol consumption comes to mind. The government allowed serving alcoholic drinks during the New Year countdown but only open-air cafes and restaurants with good ventilation will be permitted to do this until 1 am on 1 January 2022. This rule is nationwide. Read this

19.03.2024

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Sightseeing in regions nearby Palermo

All about Palermo, Italy - sightseeings, attractions, touristic spots, architecture, history, culture and cuisine. Prepare your trip together with OrangeSmile.com - find out the 'must see' things in Palermo, which places to visit, which excursions to take, where the breathtaking views are waiting for you. Planning your trip with this travel guide will help your to get the most out of Palermo in few days.
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