Sightseeing in Palermo - what to see. Complete travel guide

This is a beautiful and original city, the real heart of Sicily. Norman Palace, the building of which was started by the Arabs, is the symbol of the city. According to the plan this was meant to be a perfectly fortified citadel, and in the result was built a luxurious residence that became the main place of interest of the city. Palermo has managed to keep many historic monuments, and each of them has a great interest to visitors.

In the city you can see numerous old churches and cathedrals, the most famous of which are Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio, the Church of San Cataldo, La Mortarana and Il Duomo Cathedral that is famous far beyond the country's borders. An interesting fact – the majority of the religious buildings in Palermo have been created on the site of Islamic mosques. Capuchin Catacombs are one of the darkest and most symbolic places of the city. This is a real underground city, which was built by monks in medieval times. The unique properties of the underground atmosphere made the mummifying of the body really simple, so many years the Catacombs were considered the most prestigious place for burial. Today the underground tunnels keep approximately 8000 sarcophagi.

Once you leave the dark tunnels, is it time to go to the markets of Palermo, which always amaze visitors by their beauty and a rich choice of products. They are more like luxury fairs rather than the traditional Italian markets. La Vucciria Market offers best seafood, and Mercato di Capo has a department with clothing and accessories besides grocery. Nature lovers should make a walk to the foot of San Pellegrino Mountain to see real orange groves, valleys and mountain streams. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

An original architectural attraction is Cuba Palace. Built in the 12th century, it had been the residence of Sicilian kings for many years. The name of the palace derives from its regular cube shape; it is designed in the best traditions of the Moorish style. Many elements of the building's original decoration have been preserved. Now the ancient palace houses an interesting museum dedicated to the Arab culture.

Another vivid monument of the early Middle Ages is the Zisa Palace built more than 800 years ago. This magnificent palace was erected by the order of King William I, who later used it as a hunting residence. Over the years, the palace has been rebuilt many times, so almost completely lost its original look. Today it is characterized by typical classic medieval features. This palace is open to the public and houses the Museum of Islamic Art.

Theater fans should definitely visit the Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele. It is Italy's biggest opera house and one of the largest in Europe, which regularly welcomes world-class opera singers on its stage. The sumptuous opera house was built in the late 19th century. It occupies a very beautiful classical building supplemented by original elements of decoration in the ancient Greek style. Nearby is a small landscaped garden, as well as some beautiful well-preserved old sculptures.

The city has many interesting museums, and International Puppet Museum deserves special attention. Founded in 1975, today the museum offers an extensive exposition including over 4,000 exhibits. Here you can see beautiful puppets brought from different countries of the world. In the museum, you can also discover a lot of other unusual exhibits dedicated to puppet theater art.

No less interesting is the Archaeological Museum, which bears the name of Antonio Salinas. Its location is a luxury 17th-century building, which originally served as a monastery. Hundreds of unique exhibits are collected within the walls of the picturesque building. One of the most valuable ones is considered a 3rd-century panel depicting Orpheus. After the excursion, guests of the museum should definitely take a stroll through the courtyard, which is decorated with ornamental plants and antique-style sculptures.