Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
self was superimposed on an earlier chapel. The peaceful Norman cloisters outside offer
lovely views of the Palazzo Normanno.
Mercato di Ballarò
Snaking for several city blocks east of Palazzo dei Normanni is Palermo's busiest street
market, which throbs with activity well into the early evening. It's a fascinating mix of
noises, smells and street life, and the cheapest place for everything from Chinese padded
bras to fresh produce, fish, meat, olives and cheese - smile nicely and you may get a taste.
MARKET
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1
Capo
Northwest of Quattro Canti is the Capo neighbourhood, another densely packed web of
interconnected streets and blind alleys.
Cattedrale di Palermo
CATHEDRAL
(
www.cattedrale.palermo.it
;
Corso Vittorio Emanuele; Norman tombs & treasury adult/reduced €3/1.50;
8am-7pm)
A feast of geometric patterns, ziggurat crenulations, majolica cupolas and blind
arches, Palermo's cathedral is a prime example of the extraordinary Arab-Norman style
unique to Sicily. The interior's most interesting features are the Norman tombs of Roger II
and other Sicilian royalty, and the cathedral treasury, home to Constance of Aragon's fab-
ulous gem-encrusted, gold-filigreed 13th-century crown.
Mercato del Capo
MARKET
Capo's street market, running the length of Via Sant'Agostino, is a seething mass of col-
ourful activity during the day, with vendors selling fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, cheese
and household goods of every description.
Catacombe dei Cappuccini
( 091 652 41 56; Piazza Cappuccini; adult €3, child under 8yr free; 9am-1pm & 3-6pm)
These
catacombs house the mummified bodies and skeletons of some 8000 Palermitans who
died between the 17th and 19th centuries. Earthly power, gender, religion and professional
CATACOMB
