Catania or Palermo which is better? Catania or Palermo. Entertainment and historical and cultural monuments

When going to Sicily, many people ask themselves: where is the best place to relax on the island? Unfortunately or fortunately, Sicily is the very case when it’s better to immediately forget about the plan to “embrace the immensity in a week”, see all the sights at once, and at the same time swim to your heart’s content in the sea.

The island is quite large, so seven days won’t be enough for you to do everything, so if you only have one week of legal vacation left, then it makes sense to immediately set priorities, or, more precisely, answer a simple but important question: “ Which holiday do you prefer? this moment? - plant-relaxed on the beach or cultural-educational. And depending on this, choose one or another resort in Sicily and plan the program.

FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO DEVOTE YOUR VACATION TO SIGHTSEEING

If it's your priority educational tourism, then it makes sense for you to stay nearby major cities: Syracuse, Catania, Palermo or Trapani. Firstly, there is a lot to see in the cities themselves, and secondly, they are very conveniently located in relation to the main highways of the island - highways. In 15-30 minutes you will reach the highway by car and can go in the direction you are interested in. Motorways on the island have tolls, but are inexpensive compared to other regions of Italy; for example, travel from Catania to Taormina costs only 1.70 euros.

It is clear that, having settled in some cozy San Vito Lo Capo, you will only have to get on the highway for an hour, but you also need to use it to get to this or that city. Nothing can be done, this is the price for the resort - good beaches in big cities you won't find it. I do not include Messina on the list as a matter of principle, since it is not very conveniently located relative to the main attractions of the island. Second important point. You need to choose which part of Sicily you want to explore: north or southeast.

If north, then focus on. The capital of Sicily itself is very interesting from a historical and architectural point of view. However, many do not like this city for its dirt and a certain “clutter”. Not without this, alas, but, nevertheless, the city is extremely colorful. From Palermo you can travel to the suburbs: Monreale and Monte Pellegrino. Mondello is also nearby, with a very popular local residents beach. In addition, from Palermo you can also go to Trapani and Erice, a small medieval town on the mountain with fabulous views, and also go for a day to Castellammare del Golfo to admire the panoramic views, or visit national park and the Riserva dello Zingaro nature reserve, where, by the way, one of the most famous beaches Sicily.

In the photo: Palermo Cathedral

If you are more interested in the southeast of the island, then choose Catania. From here you can take a day trip to beautiful Taormina, visit Isola Bella beach, as well as visit Messina and, of course, explore Etna. It’s worth saying right away that this is a whole separate world. The area of ​​the volcano is huge, the local landscapes resemble either the surface of Mars or the craters of the Moon, and the numerous towns located on the slopes of the volcano are individual in their own way.

In the photo: the top of Etna with black sand

From Catania you can also go to Syracuse - the journey will take about an hour, and even go to Ragusa, by the way, the road to this city passes through picturesque hills and orange groves, and only takes an hour and a half. In addition, from Catania you can easily get to the center of the island and visit Enna, Caltanisetta, Piazza Armerina, or have a day of shopping at the Sicilia outlet village. If you are a lover of natural beauty, then you should definitely explore the Alcantara Gorge.

Many people choose to live on the island as their main place of residence. Syracuse and they do it right. Within a radius of 5-15 kilometers from the city you can find excellent sandy beaches. At the same time, the city itself is small, there is no such crazy crowd of cars as in Palermo or Catania, but in terms of architecture and historical value, Syracuse can give odds to many cities in the world, and the local old center of Ortigia deserves a detailed examination. In addition, from Syracuse you can easily reach Catania, Etna and Taormina, and if you go in the other direction, you will find yourself in the magical valley of Val di Noto. See the handsome Noto himself, and then go to the Sicilian Baroque region - the cities of Modica and Scicli. From Syracuse it is also about an hour's drive to Pozzallo - south gate Sicily, and from there you can take a ferry to neighboring Malta in just 90 minutes.

FOR LOVERS OF RELAXED REST

If you have chosen beach holiday in Sicily, but if you want to see the sights in a relaxed format, then I would recommend avoiding Palermo and the surrounding area for obvious reasons. Proximity to a large port city, traffic jams on the highway at the entrance. Mondello beach, located near Palermo, is beautiful, but it’s better to come here in low season. Otherwise, you will share your couple of square meters of beach with your neighbors, and in general, the proximity of the beach area to the city is always more of a minus than a plus.

In the photo: Mondello beach near Palermo

Nice beaches in the north the islands begin at Castellammare del Golfo. The resort itself has a sandy beach, Alcamo Marina is also located nearby, and lovers of secluded bays can find suitable accommodation in Scopello. Further beyond the Riserva dello Zingaro National Park is famous resort is a small village in Arabic style. The place is quite touristy and popular, the restaurants there are not the cheapest, but the beach is good. The downside is that it is crowded during the season, especially in August, when all the local Italians vacation here. However, the resort is good for a relaxing holiday, and from there you can go to Trapani or Erice if you wish, both are within an hour's drive.

On the picture: resort village San Vito lo Capo

In the other direction from Palermo in half an hour you will reach Cefalu- pearls Tyrrhenian coast. This is a beautiful medieval town on the rocks, but with a sandy beach. It is small, and during the season, of course, it is crowded, both with residents of the town and tourists. If you rent a car, you may have problems with parking. Only residents of Cefalu are allowed to enter the center, while others are forced to look for a parking space, which is very difficult, and parking spaces here are not cheap. In a word, if you have a car, then it is better to rent an apartment or villa in the vicinity of Cefalu, and not in the city itself; I also recommend this to families with children. But for singles or couples without a car, Cefalu is very pleasant and comfortable.

There are excellent beaches in the provinces as well. Agrigento, including the famous Scala dei Turchi (Turkish Steps), which is a chalk cliff of white limestone. They are a maximum of two hours from Palermo. There are also good beaches in San Leone, Eraclea minoa, Capo Bianco, Siculiana Marina, Marinella di Selinunte, they are very long, so even during the August peak there is a place for everyone. Another perfect place near Agrigento - thermal resort Sciacca. In the city itself worthwhile beaches no, but you can rent a villa nearby, where there are many small cozy beaches with golden and even red corral sand.

In the photo: Scala dei Turchi (Turkish stairs)

Now to the south-east. Many tourists look for accommodation in the area around Catania due to its proximity to the airport. I would not recommend staying in Catania itself for the same reasons as in Palermo. Big City, bustle, traffic, stress. There is a city sandy beach, but this is a solution for very budget holiday. The beach is not very clean, big number Arab traders and a wide variety of, not always decent, public. By the way, doctors, lawyers and professors of Catania do not rest in their city, they all go south - beyond Syracuse, in San Lorenzo or Marzamemi.

Another important point: from Catania towards Taormina, almost the entire coast is rocky. There are black volcanic rocks that are very picturesque, which is why many people love Achikastello. There is a good sandy beach in the town of Maskali, a large sandy beach in Giardini Naxos, and a pebble beach in Letojanni. Taormina, despite its fame, is not famous for its beaches. The tiny beach of Isola Bella, accessible only by cable car or stairs, is inconvenient and usually crowded. In general, Taormina is a town for a one-day trip, but definitely not for beach relaxation.

In the photo: the ancient amphitheater of Taormina

We are moving south from Catania. Up to Syracuse, the entire coast here, with rare exceptions, is rocky, but to the south of the city relaxation areas begin. The beaches of Fontane Bianche, Arenella, Lido di Noto, San Lorenzo and Marzamemi are magnificent. This Ionian coast of Sicily with clear azure water, a flat bottom, and, as a result, a smooth entry into the water. There are many people who want to relax on them, but there are also a lot of beaches, so people smoothly disperse throughout coastline, and no one gets the feeling of “herring in a barrel”.

If we want even more free space, then we go south and get to . I advise you to visit this place, if only to mark on your personal map that you have visited the most southern point Europe. In addition, here you will find swimming in the waters of two seas at once, except sandy shores there are also rocky ones, which means this place is excellent for diving, and, of course, the Spanish fortress of Philip III located here deserves a careful inspection.

Next begin the spacious beaches of the Mediterranean, simply ideal for a relaxing holiday in Sicily. The seven-kilometer Santa Maria del Focallo, followed by the beaches of Pozzallo, Sampieri, Marina di Modica and Marina di Ragusa. The beaches outside Syracuse are a 40-50 minute drive from Catania. It’s an hour and a half from Catania to the beaches behind Portopalo di Capassero. Not so much if you know that you are going to relax on spacious sandy beaches, marked blue flag EU for clean water.

In the photo: Pozzallo, 30-meter tower of Torre Cabrera

By the way, if you are interested in this zone, you can take a ticket not to one of the airports in Sicily, but to Malta - after all, the island is located nearby. At the same time, see Malta, and then take a ferry to Pozzallo in just 90 minutes. You can also fly to new airport Comiso, near Ragusa - from there to the Ragusan beaches is a half hour drive maximum. There are good beaches in Punta Secca - this place is adored by Italians, as the famous TV series “Commissar Montalbano” is filmed there. But avoid the Gela area - there is an oil refinery here with all that it implies.

/ Italy

Advice on where to stay in the eastern part Sicily(I'm currently considering Catania, Giardini Naxos, Taormina). Well, I really want to chat! My boyfriend and I are flying at the end of May Catania. Which area is noisier and more party-heavy? Where are there many young people? Our goal: close to the sea, clubs/bars, and of course - what to see. First I stopped at Taormina, because they seemed good and beautiful beaches, and very beautiful city. But as for parties until the morning... I can’t understand... I rewatched it Catania– it seemed to me...

Daggry... Naxos. Another question is how much the sea and the beach are Catania worse than Giardino? And from Giardino there is the possibility of a wonderful evening departure to Taormina, which you don’t want to lose, + a walk along... from D.N. V Catania. I was also already thinking about swapping these days. There on railway around Etna it turns out there is a Giarre station, halfway between Catania And Taormina. Maybe from her you can Taormina get there on the way back or start the journey with her. Quote: There can be no answer, it's subjective. Noto is closest to Syracuse, probably... , cathedrals Palermo and Montreal. I believe that I will be able to put it together somehow! Another question: where can I buy beautiful ceramics at Sicily(small things, like a vase)? Or in all...

It copes well with its reputation as a breeding ground for petty and organized crime.

If you want to fully discover and experience the uniqueness of Palermo, which lies in the fusion of different architectural styles and cultures, and also hear interesting stories and legends, you can book a tour with a Russian-speaking guide here.

Ways to get around Palermo

Walking tours in Palermo

As in most cities, the best option see Palermo - walk. This will allow you to wander through a web of alleys, discovering hidden palaces and churches that you might otherwise miss. The old city center, where most of the interesting sites are located, is extensive but easily accessible.

Bus tours

Two open double-decker buses run from Politeama Square every hour. Tickets cost 20 euros for adults and 10 euros for children (5 to 15 years old). A family ticket for 2 adults and 3 children under 18 years old is available for €50.

Horse and carriage


Another popular way to get a general idea of ​​Palermo is to hire a carriage, which can usually be found in front of the Teatro Massimo or near the cathedral. We advise you to first agree on a price with the driver so that there are no unpleasant surprises at the end.

Safety in Palermo


Palermo is no more dangerous than any other big city in Europe. You should take standard precautions, such as being aware of your bags, cameras and wallets in crowded areas or on buses.

Accommodation in Palermo


Hotels and hostels in Palermo vary greatly in price and luxury. You can negotiate a discount with the owners of small hotels. Palermo also has affordable bed and breakfasts. You'll likely use the hotel as a base to explore the city.

Stay in or near the city center bus stop to the airport. This is generally the most practical option, but travelers should be aware that Palermo is quite noisy, making it difficult to explore at night. From a hotel in the city center you will have the opportunity to walk to the nearest ones without any traffic jams. You can view and choose a suitable hotel in Palermo using this link.

Areas and attractions of Palermo


If you look at a map of Palermo you can easily see how it was built old part cities. La Cala is a small harbor next to the port. There are also four easily recognizable neighborhoods, clearly separated by Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda. It is in these four quarters that you will find the most interesting places, including Arab markets, many magnificent churches and aristocratic palaces, the old Arab quarter of La Calsa, the cathedral and the Palatine Chapel. There are many restaurants and bars in the area as well (Via Roma, Via Maqueda). Read more about the sights of Palermo in our article.


A small service charge in restaurants (“pane e coperto”) is usually included in the bill in the amount of 2-3 euros per person. Typically, many restaurants charge 10%, but sometimes it goes up to 15% or higher. If a tip is not included in the bill, leave it for approximately 10% of the total bill.

From 20:30 in the evening, on Friday and Saturday, restaurants and pizzerias become especially crowded. In general, in Sicily they have lunch at about 2 pm, and dinner starts after 20.00. Therefore, do not be surprised if a cafe or restaurant tells you at 18.00 that for now they only serve drinks and no food.

Children are generally welcome in all local restaurants, family taverns, pizzerias and cafes. In the evening, you may feel less comfortable in a prestigious restaurant, although Italians take their offspring there at night, especially in the summer.

In cafes and bars, pay at the bar first and take a receipt from the "barista" to then order food and drinks.

Ordering a drink/coffee or a quick snack at a table costs much more than at a bar.

What to do in Palermo?


If you come to Palermo for one day, you will most likely have little time to see and do. For this reason, it is best to create several itineraries in advance that will help you focus on a specific area and the places you particularly want to visit. Alternatively, simply choose the appropriate route and create your own "priority" list.

What to take with you?


If you are visiting Palermo when it is hot, then when packing for the trip, be sure to take accessories for sun protection: glasses, a beach hat or a scarf. Sunscreen is also very useful. In warm weather, you'll probably want to walk as much as possible, including on the beach, so make sure you have the right shoes. Remember that the humid climate of Sicily attracts not only tourists, but also mosquitoes, and means to protect against these insects will not be superfluous.

Best day to visit Palermo


Have a nice and fun time in Palermo!

It copes well with its reputation as a breeding ground for petty and organized crime.

If you want to fully discover and experience the uniqueness of Palermo, which lies in the fusion of various architectural styles and cultures, as well as hear interesting stories and legends, you can book a tour with a Russian-speaking guide here.

Ways to get around Palermo

Walking tours in Palermo

As with most cities, the best way to see Palermo is to walk. This will allow you to wander through a web of alleys, discovering hidden palaces and churches that you might otherwise miss. The old city center, where most of the interesting sites are located, is extensive but easily accessible.

Bus tours

Two open double-decker buses run from Politeama Square every hour. Tickets cost 20 euros for adults and 10 euros for children (5 to 15 years old). A family ticket for 2 adults and 3 children under 18 years old is available for €50.

Horse and carriage


Another popular way to get a general idea of ​​Palermo is to hire a carriage, which can usually be found in front of the Teatro Massimo or near the cathedral. We advise you to first agree on a price with the driver so that there are no unpleasant surprises at the end.

Safety in Palermo


Palermo is no more dangerous than any other big city in Europe. You should take standard precautions, such as being aware of your bags, cameras and wallets in crowded areas or on buses.

Accommodation in Palermo


Hotels and hostels in Palermo vary greatly in price and luxury. You can negotiate a discount with the owners of small hotels. Palermo also has affordable bed and breakfasts. You'll likely use the hotel as a base to explore the city.

Stay in the city center or near the airport bus stop. This is generally the most practical option, but travelers should be aware that Palermo is quite noisy, making it difficult to explore at night. From a hotel in the city center you will have the opportunity to walk to the nearest ones without any traffic jams. You can view and choose a suitable hotel in Palermo using this link.

Areas and attractions of Palermo


If you look at a map of Palermo, you can easily see how the old part of the city was built. La Cala is a small harbor next to the port. There are also four easily recognizable neighborhoods, clearly separated by Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda. It is in these four quarters that you will find the most interesting places, including the Arab markets, many magnificent churches and aristocratic palaces, the old Arab quarter of La Calsa, the cathedral and the Palatine Chapel. There are many restaurants and bars in the area as well (Via Roma, Via Maqueda). Read more about the sights of Palermo in our article.


A small service charge in restaurants (“pane e coperto”) is usually included in the bill in the amount of 2-3 euros per person. Typically, many restaurants charge 10%, but sometimes it goes up to 15% or higher. If a tip is not included in the bill, leave it for approximately 10% of the total bill.

From 20:30 in the evening, on Friday and Saturday, restaurants and pizzerias become especially crowded. In general, in Sicily they have lunch at about 2 pm, and dinner starts after 20.00. Therefore, do not be surprised if a cafe or restaurant tells you at 18.00 that for now they only serve drinks and no food.

Children are generally welcome in all local restaurants, family pubs, pizzerias and cafes. In the evening, you may feel less comfortable in a prestigious restaurant, although Italians take their offspring there at night, especially in the summer.

In cafes and bars, pay at the bar first and take a receipt from the "barista" to then order food and drinks.

Ordering a drink/coffee or a quick snack at a table costs much more than at a bar.

What to do in Palermo?


If you come to Palermo for one day, you will most likely have little time to see and do. For this reason, it is best to create several itineraries in advance that will help you focus on a specific area and the places you particularly want to visit. Alternatively, simply choose the appropriate route and create your own "priority" list.

What to take with you?


If you are visiting Palermo when it is hot, then when packing for the trip, be sure to take accessories for sun protection: glasses, a beach hat or a scarf. Sunscreen is also very useful. In warm weather, you'll probably want to walk as much as possible, including on the beach, so make sure you have the right shoes. Remember that the humid climate of Sicily attracts not only tourists, but also mosquitoes, and means to protect against these insects will not be superfluous.

Best day to visit Palermo


Have a nice and fun time in Palermo!

Catania and Palermo are the two capitals of Sicily. Catania is the second largest city in Sicily, but in terms of economic importance Catania actually occupies the most important place on the island. Palermo has been the capital for many centuries, and administrative power is concentrated here.


1. Catania is located on the shores of the Ionian Sea, on the southern side of Mount Etna. Proximity active volcano determined the current architectural appearance cities. During the eruption of 1669, deadly lava destroyed a large part of Catania, the flow reached the port itself. And 24 years later, the city was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake. At least 16,000 people died under the rubble of buildings. If before the cataclysm Catania was a typical medieval locality, with narrow streets and small areas, then as a result of restoration work the city acquired a completely different look. Straight and wide streets, large blocks, and new buildings in the fashionable Baroque style appeared in the city.
Everyone who comes to Catania for the first time is struck by the unusually dark color of most of the city’s buildings. The fact is that for the construction of new walls they decided to use dark-colored lava stone. This is how black baroque appeared - unique style Catania.

2. On Piazza Dante is located the largest church in Catania - San Nicolo all’ Arena. It began to be built back in 1558, but during the earthquake of 1693 it was destroyed. The new temple had a grandiose plan, but it could not be realized to the end - the facade remained unfinished.

4. The church is part of the complex of the Benedictine monastery (Monastero dei Benedittini), which now houses the literary and philosophical faculties of the University of Catania. The monastery was once the second largest in Europe in size. Currently, the monastery houses a library with a collection of more than 100,000 volumes.

5. The Greek Theater and Odeon are nearby. It is called Greek only conditionally - in fact, it was built by the Romans in the 1st-2nd centuries. For its time, the theater was considered quite large: its diameter was 102 m, and its capacity was 7,000 spectators.

6. The theater was lined with marble, but in the 11th century the valuable stone was removed and used to decorate the main cathedral of the city.

7. Take everything, but not my Coppola!
Coppola (Sic. Coppola) is a traditional men's Sicilian cap made of tweed. The fashion for coppola came to Sicily at the beginning of the 20th century from England, where nobles wore something similar in the 17th century. Initially, it was only worn by Sicilian drivers, which made this headdress popular among the working class. Over time, this fashion spread throughout Italy.

8. Church of St. Francisco (Chiesa di San Francesco d’Assisi all’Immacolata).

9. It's time to eat some hand-made pizza.

11. Giuseppe Garibaldi Street leads to the main square of the city - the Cathedral Square (Duomo).

12. The Amenano Fountain (Fontana dell "Amenano) in the square is made in the form of a figure of a young man who seems to grow out of it. It symbolizes the Amenano River, whose banks became the founding site of Catania. During the eruption, volcanic lava simply sealed the river bed, but the residents of the city They cut through the lava rock and a stream of water flowed in this place. Later, a fountain was installed here. Today, the river is buried underground, and can only be seen through the grates under your feet.

13. Another fountain on Cathedral Square - Elephant Fountain (Fontana dell’Elefante) - main symbol cities. It was installed during the reconstruction of Catania after the earthquake of 1693. In the center is a figure of an elephant with white tusks, carved from black lava stone; an Egyptian obelisk rises on the back of the animal. There is an assumption that the elephant was carved back in the days ancient Rome and decorated one of the temples. The sculpture really looks as if the sculptor had never seen live elephants.

14. The Cathedral (Duomo) occupies the eastern side of the square. The cathedral had to be restored in 1709 almost from scratch. From the previous temple, only the foundation and apse have survived. The main façade was designed by Gian Battista Vaccarini, who spent thirty years of his life (1730-1761) on this creation.

15. The cathedral is dedicated to St. Agatha - patroness of Catania. Her relics rest in the southern part of the temple, next to the royal tombs of Frederick II, Constance of Aragon, the wife of Frederick III and the great son of Catania, the composer Vincenzo Bellini.

16. Abbey Church of St. Agata (Badia di Sant’Agata) next to the cathedral is a beautiful Baroque temple built in 1735-1767 according to the design of Vaccarini.

17. Garden of St. The agates are decorated with a huge palm tree.

18. Patroness of Catania - St. Agatha is a Christian martyr of the 3rd century, one of the most famous and revered early Christian saints. She died in Catania in Sicily during the period of persecution of Christians by Emperor Decius.

19. Porta Uzeda - the main gate of the city.

20. Puppets or pupi (pupi) - a symbol of Sicily.

21. The arch of the railway overpass and the main gate of the city in the background.

22. The volcano destroyed the city, but provided new building material.

25. The road to Palermo goes along the picturesque coast Tyrrhenian Sea. In the haze - the Aeolian Islands.

26. Looks like shrimp farms.

28. In Italy you need to travel in an Italian car.

30. Palermo greeted us with traffic jams and dirty outskirts. Therefore, we will explore the historical center, where you can walk without worrying about the appearance of your shoes.
Palermo (Latin Panormus) was founded by the Phoenicians under the name Sus (Phoenician for "flower") in 754 BC. e., but Panormos - an always accessible harbor (ancient Greek Πάνορμος) received its name from the Greeks; During the first Punic War, this was the main anchorage of the Carthaginian fleet. The Romans took the city in 254 BC. e., gave him the right of municipality. In 515, Palermo, which had been fairly neglected during Roman rule, was conquered by the Goths; in 535 Belisarius recaptured from them north coast Sicily. In 831 he fell into the hands of the Saracens; has since become the most important shopping center Sicily. Most of the population were Greeks, Jews and Arabs, who traded with North Africa. Then Palermo was under the yoke of the Normans and the French, and Palermo was included in the Italian Kingdom in 1860, when it was captured by Giuseppe Garibaldi. A significant part of the city was destroyed during the Second World War.
New gate ( Porta Nuova) - the main entrance to the historical center of Palermo. Erected in the 16th century in honor of the victory of Charles V in the Tunisian War. This is Sicilian Triumphal Arch", adjacent to one of the buildings of the Norman Royal Palace.

31. At the very bottom of the gate there are figures of four Atlanteans, symbolizing the Moors defeated in the war. The gate has not survived to this day in its original form, since it was blown up in 1667. Master Gaspar Garcia worked on restoring the historical appearance of the structure.

32. Since the 7th century, the Norman Palace housed the rulers of Sicily. First the Arab caliphs, and after the conquest of the island - the Norman kings.

33. In the 12th century, the Palatine Chapel was built inside the palace, which was decorated with magnificent Byzantine mosaics.

34. The 16th century saw the second wave of popularity of the palace, as the Spanish Viceroy chose it as his residence. In this regard, a large-scale reconstruction of the building was carried out.

35. Since the mid-20th century, the regional parliament of the island of Sicily has been sitting here. The bas-relief in the form of an eagle is the emblem of the Palermo Senate.

38. Teatro Marmoreo (Marble Theater) - a monument in honor of Philip IV of Habsburg, built in 1662.

39. The beautiful park of Villa Bonanno next to the Norman Palace.

40. Cathedral of the Assumption Holy Mother of God in Palermo. The age of the building has already exceeded 8 centuries, and during this time it has been rebuilt more than once. The last major reconstruction took place relatively recently - in the 19th century.

41. The buildings on the territory of Cattedrale di Palermo were created by architects different countries and cultures: Arabs, Romans, as well as Norman and Spanish architects. The cathedral building combines Gothic, Arabic and classical architectural styles.

42. Numerous arched structures, turrets, and pointed battlements of the eastern entrance correspond to the architectural style of ancient Normandy.

43. The frame of the western entrance is made in the Gothic style, and its bell towers are decorated with stucco elements characteristic of the Arabic style.

44. The cathedral contains the relics of Saint Rosalia, the patroness of the city.

45. In addition to the relics of the saint, there are the remains of several Sicilian kings.

47. Because Cathedral- one of the most tall buildings city, there is an observation deck on it.

49. For some time the cathedral was even used as an observatory.

50. Now the roof is at the mercy of tourists.

51. Next door to the main cathedral of the city there is... a secondary school. Liceo Classico Vittorio Emanuele II is the city's oldest school, where many famous Palermo residents studied.

52. Palermo is surrounded on all sides by mountains.

58. The phrase under the clock: “Operibus credite” - “Believe in deeds.”

60. The patroness of Palermo is Saint Rosalia. Rosalia was born in 1130 into a wealthy and noble Norman family. Her father Lord Sinibald was one of the direct descendants of Charlemagne. At the age of 18, she was presented to the court of Roger II, but the devout girl decided to become a hermit and settled in a cave on a mountainside near Palermo.
When Palermo was threatened by a plague epidemic in 1624, Saint Rosalia appeared in a vision to a sick woman, and later to a hunter, to whom she showed the place where her remains lay and ordered them to be transferred to Palermo. The saint's relics were transferred to the city cathedral, accompanied by a solemn procession. After this, the disease subsided, and Saint Rosalia was proclaimed the patroness of Palermo.

61. The monument to Charles V (1500-1558) is located in the center of Piazza Bologni. Charles V is the greatest statesman of Europe; in the period from 1516 to 1556 he was the king of Spain and Germany. In 1519 he proclaimed himself Holy Roman Emperor. Recognized as the last emperor of Rome, who was crowned by Pope Clement VII in Bologna in 1530. Actively participated in the Great geographical discoveries, with his support, Magellan's expedition was organized.

62. The monument was created in the first quarter of the 17th century by the sculptor Scipione Li Volsi (born in 1589). The king is depicted dressed in Roman military clothing: a classic skirt and belt, a sword and a cloak, which is attached to his left shoulder, and a laurel wreath on his head.

66. Quattro Canti - "Four Corners" - the popular name of Piazza Villena, one of the central squares of Palermo. The square was formed in 1600, when, on the orders of the Spanish Viceroy Maqueda, a straight street was cut through the labyrinth of streets of old Palermo, which was later named after him. The corners of the four Sicilian Baroque buildings facing the square are made in the same style and are decorated with fountains in the form of an allegory of one of the four seasons.

67. In the niches of the middle tier are statues of Spanish kings, and the upper tier is decorated with statues of Saints Agatha, Christina, Ninfa and Oliva, who became the patroness of the four quarters of Palermo (behind each martyr is “her” quarter).

68. Every lamppost is a masterpiece.

69. Perhaps the most famous fountain Palermo - Fontana Pretoria.

70. The grandiose fountain occupies almost the entire Pretoria area and is a composition of pools surrounded by statues of mythological characters, animals and fantastic monsters.

71. The fountain also abounds with naked human figures, which came as a shock to the pious residents of Palermo, which is why the fountain was popularly called the “fountain of shame.”

 

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