Between Eastern Med and Western Med routes, Palermo sits at the foot of Monte Pellegrino at the heart of a large natural harbour, offering a complex history.
The title of Capital of Culture is well deserved because it has hosted dozens of civilisations: Arab, Greek, Roman, Norman, Carthaginians, Goths, the Byzantine Empire, and even the Spanish have a footprint in the architectural mix.
Whilst there is more than enough to do for a long stay, there are some obvious must-see attractions that the day visitor will probably aim for. Jean takes us around a few key areas in this huge historic city. Obviously, she covers the Cathedral although this is the feature of its own film. The old city gates, the No Mafia Museum next to the tourist centre, and the church with a bakery that sells beer for a rest in the garden. She finds the biggest opera house in the whole of Italy, The Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele. It is located on the Piazza Verdi to the right of the main street. Markets are easy to find on the way here. Jean also walks around the Catedral museum.
The history of Palermo can be confusing as it is told in a few ways, by each of the groups. The cathedral has been a church and a mosque like so many religious buildings in the Mediterranean. The cathedral offers different tickets to include what you wish to do. Do you want the roof view, the museum, or access-all-areas? The view from the roof is a hard climb and a narrow stairway. The walk down to see the sarcophagus of the bishops in the basement also has many steps and some access is very narrow.
The Pope’s agent Roger II lies on the main floor of the cathedral. The museum which can be on the same ticket offers a wealth of religious artefacts and is in adjacent buildings.
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