Palermo is a city that never ceases to amaze. And it’s like an ancient chest that holds invaluable treasures. Literally. Proof? This itinerary, which, in eight stages, will make you discover the Unesco world heritage sites in Palermo.
- Palazzo Reale. The Royal Palace of Palermo (also known as Palazzo dei Normanni), built in the Twelfth century, is a priceless example of Arab-Norman architecture in Sicily. The Maqueda courtyard and the Stanza di Ercole are some of the most beautiful parts.
- Cappella Palatina. It is located within the Norman Palace. With its priceless mosaics, it is an architectural spectacle in gold and bronze. And the Palatine Chapel, a small three-naves basilica, is one of the most beautiful places in Sicily.
- Cattedrale di Palermo. One of the must-see places of any holiday in Palermo: dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the cathedral mixes very different architectural styles (Romanesque, Norman, Gothic, Baroque, neoclassical).
- Chiesa di San Giovanni degli Eremiti. This church is famous for its red domes, and its located near the Palazzo dei Normanni.
- Chiesa della Martorana. One of the greatest examples of Byzantine architecture in Italy, the Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio Church (also called the Martorana) is part of the Eparchia of Piana degli Albanesi.
- Chiesa di San Cataldo. The San Cataldo Church has an external structure austerely adorned, with an architecture which shows the Islamic influence, and the three solemn red domes that stand at the top.
- Ponte dell’Ammiraglio. A 12 arch Norman bridge, completed in 1131.
- La Zisa. Even in this case, the Islamic origin is evident. Stereometry and symmetry of Zisa castle are practically perfect and make it an architectural jewel.
To these eight places, we must add another good idea: the Arab-Norman Palermo itinerary, Unesco world heritage.
Image source: Di Bjs – Opera propria, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1868016
