what to see in Palermo in 1 day - visitapalermo

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what to see in Palermo in 1 day

what to see in Palermo

Are you passing through Palermo and you have only one day to visit the city? 
Well, Palermo is a city with one of the largest historical centers in Europe 
(think that it covers an area of almost 2.5 square kilometers)
 and it is well worth staying a few extra days to explore the great variety of fascinating 
monuments and places that the city has to offer. 
However, don't be discouraged!
 It's possible to take in a tour that takes in the most significant and interesting places in this amazing city in a single day.

Palermo is the capital of Arab-Norman art, a symbol of co-existence of styles and different cultures, 
that found themselves side by side between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries. 
Therefore, the famous Palatine Chapel, inside the Norman Palace that is now the seat of the Sicilian Regional Assembly, 
should not be missed. 
The small Chapel, built starting in 1130 by the decree of the Norman king Roger II,
 is a delightful example of Latin, Arab and Byzantine elements living together in perfect harmony.

I would suggest that you stop and quietly take in the detail of the beautiful mosaics crafted by masters from the East 
along with the wonderful wooden ceiling of the central nave, decorated in the Islamic style and made by Arab craftsmen.

After visiting the Palatine Chapel you may like to begin walking along the Cassaro, the ancient arterial city road, founded in the Phoenician era, that today is an elongated road flanked by numerous eighteenth and nineteenth century palaces. You will pass immediately under Porta Nuova, one of the ancient city gates, built in the 16th century to celebrate the arrival in Palermo of Emperor Charles V. From here, continue on towards the sea and, after a few minutes walk, you will find on your left the imposing and magnificent Cathedral of Palermo. Once the city's largest mosque, it was converted into a cathedral in 1185 and remains one of the symbols of Palermo. Built of warm limestone that lights up red at sunset, the Arab-Norman cathedral has undergone various renovations over the centuries but has managed to mantain its unique and fascinating style;
do not miss the external area of the apses, with its splendid two-tone decorations of Islamic origin.
The cathedral is accessed via a monumental fifteenth-century entrance portico. The interior of the monument has undergone profound changes, being transformed into a severe and bare neoclassical cathedral in the late eighteenth century,.

Make sure to visit the Royal Tombs area that hosts, among others, the sarcophagi of Roger II and Frederic II; the chapel, to the right of the altar, dedicated to Saint Rosalia, which houses the relics of the patron saint of Palermo; 
and finally, in one of the side chapels of the left aisle, 
you will find the funeral monument of Padre Pino Puglisi, in memory of the priest killed by the Mafia in 1993.

Once out of the Cathedral, continue your walk and go down to the Four Corners, 
which is the exact center of the ancient city inside the walls, 
being the intersection between the two main streets of Palermo: the Cassaro and Maqueda Street.

Turn right now and you are in Piazza Pretoria, a charming square surrounded by an old noble palace, the town hall 
and the two imposing churches of Saint Catherine and Saint Joseph.
The square was embellished in 1575 by a sumptuous fountain with various types of bases,
enriched by dozens of statues of fantastic animals, gods, goddesses and allegorical figures.
Given the nudity of the statues that probably created a great scandal among the people of Palermo
and the nuns of the nearby convent, the fountain and the entire square are commonly known by the Palermitans 
as a square and fountain "of shame".
Continue on a for a few meters in the same direction and you will arrive in Piazza Bellini,
which houses two jewels of Arab-Norman art in Palermo:
The famous church of the Martorana and the nearby church of Saint Cataldo.
The Martorana, founded in 1143, represents with its red dome, one of the famous symbols of the city.
Go through the Islamic style bell tower and get a look inside,
you will be captivated by the charm of a small church where Byzantine mosaics of the twelfth century 
and Baroque frescoes and stuccoes blend in total harmony.

At this point, you will have seen the most iconic places of the city 
and your walk through Palermo can now take two different directions:
you can continue to go down to the sea and get to the beautiful Marina Square that then takes you
through Porta Felice, to the seaside promenade of the Foro Italico with its neighbour, the
fascinating, ancient port of the city, The Cala. Or, if you prefer to have a taste of nineteenth-century Palermo of Liberty, 
go up to Via Maqueda and you will find its two elegant landmarks: the Massimo Opera House and the Politeama Theatre.

Whatever direction you take, do not miss a stroll through one of the city's historic markets.
Capo and Ballarò offer an unmissable cross-section of Palermo, 
an exceptional kaleidoscope of colors, aromas, flavors and voices. 
Let yourself be enveloped by the exotic atmosphere of these places, 
only a stone's throw from the main city streets but seeming like a world away in space and time.
Some advice: the Vucciria market, famous for the renowned painting by Renato Guttuso, unfortunately, 
today it's the least vibrant of the three markets. It would be better to take a walk to the Capo, 
where you could also take a nearby trip to visit the church of the Immaculate Conception, 
a jewel of Sicilian Baroque style or a walk through the stalls of Ballarò, where you could also take a look at the Church of Jesus.


 
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