Palermo is an urban melting pot characterized by history and culture so diverse that it often feels conflicted. Discover an intriguing range of architectural styles, from Arabian domes to baroque buildings, and enjoy delicious cuisine that spans a variety of origins. Be sure to visit the Palace of the Normans, the Palatine Chapel and the church of St. John of the Hermits. Art and music lovers won’t want to miss the Galleria d’Arte Moderna (the “GAM”), the Salinas or an opera or ballet at the Teatro Massimo.
Opened to the public in May 2012, Palazzo Branciforte, which extends over an area of 5.650 square meters, houses some of the Fondazione Sicilia important collections. On display on the ground floor is the archaeological collection; the main floor houses the stamp, coin and sculpture collections, along with the historical Library which preserves about 50,000 books from the Fondazione Sicilia...
One of the biggest opera houses in Europe, Teatro Massimo is renowned for its excellent acoustiscs and holds over 1,300 seats.The venue hosts more than 130 music, opera and dance events every year.The exteriors are in neo-classical style with influences from Greek Sicilian temples, while the interiors are art-nouveau.
Historic building of the fifteenth century, with frescoes and furnishings of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It displays around 300 works of art from the 12th to the 19th century in 12 rooms. 11 rooms belong to "Le Stanze dei Vescovi", the noble floor of the Archbishop's Palace, with the Alcova of Cardinal Gravina and the Sala Borremans entirely freshly painted in 1733.
This grand square features a splendid fountain, erected during the heyday of the Spanish Inquisition, which features sixteen statues that are nudes of nymphs, humans, mermaids and satyrs; truly a surprise that this type of art was permitted during that dark time in history.
This cathedral was started in 1185 by the norman archbishop Gualtiero Offamilio. You can visit the Royal and Imperial tomb of Frederik the II, the urn with the relics of the patron Saint of Palermo Santa Rosalia, plus a treasury with a precious medieval crown and a crypt from the VII century. The church is free to enter, there is a ticket to access the monumental area composed by royal tombs,...
Palazzo Drago Airoldi di Santa Colomba è annoverabile per posizione e sviluppo tra le dimore storiche siciliane più interessanti del Cassaro, l'attuale Via Vittorio Emanuele. Il recente restauro ha riconsegnato splendore alla struttura. La visita guidata permette di ammirarne l'architettura, gli interni con i soffitti affrescati e numerose opere d'arte.
The church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria is part of the monastery with which it shares the name. From 1311 to 2014 this monastery was the home of many cloistered nuns of the dominican order. Since 2017 it is possible to visit both the monastery and church as a museum. Inside the monastery there's the confectionary, where people can buy cakes and pastries realized with the old nun's...
Reservations required!! The museum is open year round for a visit but you must book your visit by email or phone. For reservations just call a few hours before the appointment and agree to the tour. The visits are carried out only in Italian / english.
