The Fontana Pretoria, in Palermo
To err is of humans. Prejudices and dogmas of faith are too. We believe that Marseilles it's ugly because someone who hasn't been there knows a friend who claims to have a relative who hasn't been either... but he has heard somewhere that it's bland . Well, here we are not going to talk about Marseille but about Palermo, the capital of Sicily . Another city that is used to being shaken by slanderers of cities and that, despite everything, stands there, steady , preserving its strength with the elegance of the good sash.
Palermo is the most populous municipality on the island and the fifth in all of Italy . We can spend several weeks on it and we would not have seen it all. However, here we propose a two or three night getaway to be able to visit this wild city but, at the same time, refined and stylish.
Quattro Canti
The historic center is where most of the buildings, museums and other places of interest for the traveler . Locating us is very simple if we know that there are two main streets completely perpendicular to each other: Via Maqueda and Corso Vittorio Emmanuele . At the crossroads between the two, is what is possibly the most beautiful corner of the city, the Quattro Canti . A place that could remind someone — apart from the distance — of Plaza Canalejas in Madrid, which, precisely, had been known before as ** Cuatro Calles **.
In Quattro Canti we will see four symmetrical facades and perfectly curved that give the place a harmony in the forms that invites you to stay there with your eyes fixed on them. The four consist of three levels with different types of ornaments in each one of them. While the lower part is dedicated to seasons , the center is to the Spanish monarchs and the higher than Saints of Palermo . As the hours go by we will be able to observe how the sun jumps from one facade to the other, offering the viewer the possibility of see them illuminated with the light of dawn or the scarcity of sunset.
But let's go in. Let's delve into its secrets. On the one hand, the Palatine Chapel , a chapel located in the Palace of the Normanni , a spectacular neoclassical construction surrounded by green areas. This palazzo dates from 9th century . Inside it, at its middle level, is this sumptuous chapel designed in the year 1130 by Roger II . There, they highlight in a special way their amazing mosaics where gold and its precious stones predominate. A place that shines and dazzles the visitor.
Palatine Chapel
The second must-see place for anyone who makes a getaway to the Sicilian capital is the Palermo Cathedral . Together with Pallatine Chapel and the Cefalu Cathedral , among others, is part of the set Arab-Norman Palermo protected by UNESCO. Its construction began there the year 1184 framed in a power struggle between the crown and the church which also had its consequences in the Cathedrals of Monreale and Cefalù.
The large building was built on a former 9th century mosque . It can still be seen today in one of the porticoes a column that belonged to the same and in which you can read a koran inscription . The gardens in front of the Cathedral, dotted with palm trees , and its staggered beacons at the top, evoke the most Arab part of the construction.
Admission is usually free , in the event that a wedding is not being celebrated, which is quite frequent. Upon entering, we can see the three arches of the portico built by Antonio Gambara in the 15th century , a good example of Catalan Gothic. If you want to see the norman tombs , among which is that of Rogelio II, it will be necessary to pay a euro and a half and, if we feel like going up to the roof, five euros . There are integrated tickets to be able to visit everything.
Palermo Cathedral
Last but not least, it is very necessary to visit the majestic Teatro Massimo , where the decadence and chipping of the painting rise to artistic levels. The entrance is from eight euros and necessarily guided (and lasting approximately 45 minutes). It is the second largest opera house in Europe and the largest in all of Italy. . If we are lucky, during the visit we can enjoy a piece of rehearsal in the stalls and if not, we will have to settle for speak in the center of the Pompeian Hall (also known as echo room ) where there will be no secrets for anyone . If one whispers something in the center, do not doubt that the entire room will find out.
Before we leave the Teatro Massimo - for the gift shop, of course - we must not forget to take some pictures in the wide staircase where the final scenes of the Godfather III , the most misunderstood of the saga.
Regarding the hotel and gastronomic offer, we highlight a small Bed & Breakfast called Via Rome 315 , located very centrally, very comfortable and with exquisitely designed rooms. breakfast is varied (pistachio croissant included) and the Valentina's kindness beyond any doubt . Despite the fact that in Palermo, as in all of Sicily, B&Bs are in style, if someone opts for a Hotel we recommend the Casa Nostra Boutique Hotel , also very well located.
If we want to enjoy the famous cannoli or of the tarts this is the right city. But to put on the boots, we recommend the Osteria Nonna Dora . The famous Osteria Al Ferro di Cavallo Y Trattoria Al Vecchio Club Rosanero not only are they saturated with tourists making very long queues but also they do not stand out for a good management of this wait.
Piazza Pretoria in Palermo