Palermo, it's a kind of magic in Sicily
Sicily has been dominated for a long time by different populations that have made it an island full of wonderful contrasts, considered one of the most beautiful islands of the world. Lights, colours and scents distinguish this marvellous land, especially its regional capital, Palermo.
Teatro Massimo
photo: ® Daniela Badalì
Palermo has a very distinct atmosphere and is a mysterious place with conflicting characteristics which you can notice strolling through its charming streets.
Its strategic position, in the middle of the Mediterranean, attracted numerous invaders including Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans and especially Spanish, the most influential population. Palermitan culture is therefore, the amazing result of the different ethnic groups that had left evident signs during centuries. Signs that had created a great cultural heterogeneity that today is reflected in the large number of architectural styles and dishes made by a very interesting mix of ingredients.
Quattro Canti
photo: ® Daniela Badalì
Visiting Palermo is something like a thrilling adventure.
You won’t find many restaurants with menus translated into 5 different languages, you may have troubles communicating in English in some places, but you will always find someone that is going to help you.Palermo is a mix of colors, scents and styles. The beauty worn by time of its wonderful palaces, contrasts with the popular areas full of markets, Ballarò, Capo and Vucciria market especially, portrayed also by Renato Guttuso. Palermo is also the wealth and the poverty of the old town centre and Via delle Libertà, the long avenue famous for its luxury shops.
Cattedrale
photo: ® Daniela Badalì
Palermo is too much. Palermo, is everything.
It is “the city of churches”: about 150 unique for their history, architecture, frescoes and mosaics, as the Palatine Chapel and the Cathedral of Monreale. Palermo is… it’s hard to explain, people, buildings, chaos…words are not enough to draw is beauty. It is definitely full of contrasts, and it makes this city very especial. Walking through Palermo is like making a jump back in time. Teatro Politeama, Teatro Massimo, I Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria (called Piazza della Vergogna) and all the churches that you will spot along the way, belonging to different historical periods and populations that lived in the Island.
A glimpse of Quattro Canti
photo: ® Daniela Badalì
Palermo is also the realm of sicilian cuisine.
Fundamental to the culinary traditions of the island were Arabs: cassata, cannoli, couscous and many of the preparation techniques of the dishes still used today, are due to them. Palermo is also famous for street food, (it scores the fifth place in the ranking of world cities street food), quickly consumed in the streets where, stalls handed down among men of the same family, sell delicious dishes for few euros. Here, the scent of panelle, crocchè, pani ca meusa, sfincione, arancine is combined with sardines a becca fico, boiled octopus and with the fresh fruit, that in Sicily has a particular taste because it’s cuddled by the sun and the salt carried by the wind that comes from the coast.
Mondello
photo: ® Daniela Badalì
