Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Historic Palermo
STARTTEATRO MASSIMO
ENDPIAZZA BELLINI
LENGTH2.5KM; SIX HOURS
Dense but compact, central Palermo is best explored on foot. This tour covers the eastern half of the city and the
labyrinthine alleys of La Kalsa.
Start at Piazza Giuseppe Verdi, dominated by the neoclassical
Teatro Massimo
(
Click here
). Cross Via
Maqueda and follow narrow Via Bara all'Olivella to the newly renovated
Museo Archeologico Regionale
(
Click here
)
, which houses one of southern Italy's finest classical art collections.
After a short hop south along Via Roma, descend the steps alongside Chiesa di Sant'Antonio into
Mercato
della Vucciria
(
Click here
). You'll find several good lunch spots near the market, including Trattoria Il Maestro
del Brodo, Ferro di Cavallo and Zia Pina. Leaving the market, follow Via Alessandro Paternostro to pretty Piazza
San Francesco d'Assisi and look into the 16th-century
Oratorio di San Lorenzo
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
,
adorned with the remarkable rococo stuccowork of Giacomo Serpotta. From here, Via Merlo
leads east to the fine 18th-century
Palazzo Mirto
(
Click here
), replete with silken wallpaper, embroidered
wall hangings, frescoes, chandeliers and colourful tile and marble floors.
to Palermo's oldest tree, a 150-year-old
ficus benjamina
(weeping fig). Overlooking the square is the imposing
14th-century Palazzo Chiaromonte Steri, former headquarters of the Inquisition, where you can tour the prison-
ers' cells and see their graffiti at
Museo dell'Inquisizione
(
Click here
).
Next, head south to Via Alloro, where a left turn leads to the splendid
Galleria Regionale della Sicilia
(
Click here
)
. Exiting the gallery, head west along Via Alloro, and end your tour at magnificent
Piazza Bellini
(
Click here
)
, home to three of the city's most distinctive churches: Santa Caterina, La Martorana and San Cataldo.
Sights & Activities
Though there are a couple of world-class museums, a sprinkling of historic palaces as well
as a bevy of notable baroque churches to visit, your most uplifting and engaging experien-
ces will come courtesy of a walk through the city's streets.
Most museums offer a discounted entry price for EU citizens under the age of 18 and
over the age of 65.
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