In the Cappella Palatina, a Christ Pantocrator shines in the dome above a space entirely adorned with golden mosaics by Byzantine masters. This blend of architectural history and art leads to the heart of Palermo’s layered cultural history: some places tell of its Arab-Norman heritage, others of later rulers, theatrical traditions and the city’s relationship with its green spaces.
Arab-Norman Heritage and the City’s History
The Cappella Palatina is on the first floor of the Palazzo dei Normanni and was built between 1130 and 1132 during the reign of Roger II. It is part of the serial UNESCO World Heritage Site Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale. In total, the site includes nine civil and religious buildings from the period of the Norman Kingdom of Sicily, from 1130 to 1194. The Palermo sites include the Royal Palace with the Cappella Palatina, the Palazzo della Zisa, the Cathedral, San Giovanni degli Eremiti, Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio, San Cataldo and the Ponte dell’Ammiraglio.
The Cathedral, too, combines architectural history with a later tradition of veneration. Built in 1184, it preserves traces of Palermo’s successive rulers. It houses a silver reliquary urn containing the mortal remains of Santa Rosalia, which were found on Monte Pellegrino on 15 July 1624. The Palazzo Steri offers another perspective on the city’s history: Manfredi I of the Chiaramonte family built it around 1320. It has a square floor plan, a two-storey courtyard defined by arcades, and a total of three floors. In the Sala Magna, a painted wooden ceiling depicts scenes of chivalric life; it dates from 1377.
Admission to the Palazzo Steri includes a 40-minute guided visit; a one-hour guided tour can be requested by reservation. Santa Maria dello Spasimo was built by the Olivetan Fathers at the beginning of the 16th century. The monumental complex serves as a public municipal exhibition venue and has been open to visitors since 1995. The Teatro Massimo also brings architecture and cultural life together: it is an important centre for theatre productions and performances and is distinguished by its monumental character. Tours include the Great Hall, the Salon by the Royal Box, the Pompeian Room, the Coat of Arms Room and the foyer. Backstage tours offer insight into the creation of an opera or ballet performance; their content varies depending on the production currently showing at the theatre. The accessible tour includes 3D models of the rooms and tactile maps for blind and visually impaired visitors. Check the latest tour and accessibility information before visiting.
The Museo Internazionale delle Marionette Antonio Pasqualino displays a collection of Sicilian Pupi, as well as marionettes and hand puppets from around the world. Pani c’a meusa is part of Palermo’s food culture: a street-food sandwich made with soft sesame bread, boiled calf spleen and boiled calf lung. It is traditionally associated with the historic centre and its markets.
Gardens, Waterfront and Nature Reserves
The University of Palermo Botanical Garden was founded in 1789, covers 10 hectares and cultivates around 6,000 plant species. An open-air museum, it is home to numerous tropical and subtropical plants. Its collections are arranged, among other systems, according to the scientific classifications of Linnaeus and Engler; it also includes a palmetum and a cycadetum. Here, an extensive plant collection meets different approaches to scientific classification.
The Foro Italico, also known as the Passeggiata della Marina, is a large green space along the waterfront. In the Kalsa district, it stretches from the Cala to Villa Giulia. Across from the Palazzo della Zisa, the Giardino della Zisa occupies the site of the former Genoard hunting park and covers 30,000 square metres. At 400 hectares, the Parco della Favorita is Palermo’s largest green space, at the foot of Monte Pellegrino. These places differ in scale and setting: from a waterfront promenade to a garden across from a palace, and a vast green space by the mountain.
The Monte Pellegrino Nature Reserve protects biodiversity within the city and includes an area of considerable geological, archaeological and landscape significance. It encompasses the striking headland of Monte Pellegrino, which rises to 609 metres. Visitors to the reserve should follow the marked paths and observe the information and warning signs. The Capo Gallo Nature Reserve protects rare and endemic plant and animal species, carbonate geomorphological formations on Monte Gallo, and a coastal vermetid pavement.
Getting There and Planning Your Visit
Trenitalia runs two trains per hour in each direction between Palermo and Palermo Airport, also known as Falcone e Borsellino Airport. The fastest train reaches the city centre in just over half an hour. As timetables and journey times can change, it is advisable to check the connection before travelling. The same applies to visits: the Palazzo Steri’s tour options, the exhibition venue at Santa Maria dello Spasimo and the tours at the Teatro Massimo offer different insights. If you want to take a particular tour or use an accessibility option, check the relevant information in advance.
Discover More Destinations
Altavilla Milicia, Aspra, Bagheria, Balestrate, Caccamo, Campofelice Di Roccella, Castelbuono, Cefalù, Cinisi, Collesano, Mondello, Palermo, Partinico, Santa Flavia, Scillato, Terrasini, Trabia, Camporeale, Ustica, Termini Imerese, Petralia Sottana, Monreale, Isola Delle Femmine, Ginestra, Corleone, Cerda, Carini, Trappeto, San Mauro Castelverde, Sommariva, Casteldaccia, Finale, Polizzi Generosa, Capaci, Villafrati, Castellana Sicula, Piana Degli Albanesi, Lascari, Petralia Soprana, Gratteri, Borgetto, Gangi, Caltavuturo, Ficarazzi, Belmonte Mezzagno, Alia, Pollina, Santa Cristina Gela, Bolognetta, Pioppo, Montelepre, Torretta, Alimena, Castronovo Di Sicilia, Contessa Entellina, San Giuseppe Jato, Montemaggiore Belsito, Ventimiglia Di Sicilia, Caculla, San Cipirello, Roccapalumba, Gibilmanna, Prizzi, Masseria D'amari, Vicari, Malpasso, Ficuzza, Palazzo Adriano, Ciminna, Villabate, Bompietro, Isnello, Bisacquino, Altofonte, Godrano, Grisì, Misilmeri, Lercara Friddi, San Nicola l'Arena, Geraci Siculo, Mezzojuso, Villagrazia, Paterna, Marineo, Valledolmo, Giardinello, Parrini, Torre Colonna-Sperone.
Go to the main travel overview: Sicily.
