Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
D5
E5
32
I Cuochini
B3
A2
C1
C5
36
Trattoria Il Maestro del Brodo
D5
37
Zia Pina
E5
Drinking & Nightlife
G6
B2
Entertainment
C4
B4
B2
Shopping
B2
44
Casa Merlo
D5
C2
C4
C3
At one time an Arab emirate and seat of a Norman kingdom, Palermo became Europe's
grandest city in the 12th century, then underwent another round of aesthetic transforma-
tions during 500 years of Spanish rule. The resulting treasure trove of palaces, castles and
churches is a unique architectural fusion of Byzantine, Arab, Norman, Renaissance and
baroque gems.
While some of the crumbling
palazzi
(mansions) bombed in WWII are being restored,
others remain dilapidated; turned into shabby apartments, the faded glory of their ornate
facades is just visible behind strings of brightly coloured washing. The evocative history
of the city remains very much part of the daily life of its inhabitants, and the dusty web of
backstreet markets in the old quarter has a Middle Eastern feel.