Things to Do and See in Palermo

Palermo, the provincial capital, with its unique charm, is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, boasting numerous vestiges of past civilizations. It reached the height of its splendor under Arab rule; known as the “city of delights,” it became one of the richest and most prosperous cities in the Mediterranean, boasting splendid gardens, mosques, and magnificent palaces. The encounter with Norman culture gave rise to the “Arab-Norman style,” an architectural style that transformed the city into a cosmopolitan environment. The historic center clearly bears witness to this; examples include the Cathedral, an imposing building housing the Imperial and Royal Tombs; the Norman Palace with its Palatine Chapel, rich in mosaics and decorations; and the Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti, topped by five red domes. Also worth visiting are the Church of Santa Cita and the Oratory of the Rosary of Santa Cita, both rich in stucco work and splendid decorations, the Church of the Martorana, particularly striking for the mosaics housed within, not to mention a visit to Palermo’s Teatro Massimo—Italy’s largest opera house and a prime example of Art Nouveau—and the Puppet Museum, home to the famous Sicilian Pupi. Elsewhere in the province, other destinations worth visiting include Monreale, one of the island’s most renowned tourist destinations; and the small village of Bagheria with its 18th-century noble villas, such as Villa Valguarnera, Villa Palagonia, and Villa Cattolica, home to the Guttuso Museum.