Palermo, Italy

I spent a disappointing afternoon in Naples on Thursday and flew to Catania, Sicily that evening. First thing the next morning I boarded a bus for the 3 hour journey to Palermo where I would stay for two days. So within 24 hours I had gone from Naples to Palermo and there were some similarities between the two cities. They are both port towns and for the most part, the buildings in both cities looked as if they could use some attention. However, Palermo was not dirty at all. There was little garbage littering the streets and the vibe in the city was less hectic. I found it an interesting exercise in observation to compare the two. In the end I concluded that Palermo looked well used where as Naples looked unloved.



Driving through Sicily between Catania (on the east coast) and Palermo (on the north west corner).








The guesthouse where I stayed was on the top floor on an apartment block in the old town. They had a roof deck with gorgeous views over the old city and port.









I walked through the old town and through some of the many street markets that line the old alleys. Between the awnings you can see one of the many churches that appear every couple of blocks it seems.



















Two of the four buildings that make up the Quattro Canti; the symbolic crossroads at the centre of the old city.







The Gesu Church which looks somewhat unassuming from the outside.






... but inside, it was THE most beautiful church I have ever seen! The abundance of colour was extraordinary and my timing was perfect as an Italian wedding was just beginning as I walked in. I entered to the sounds of the wedding march and sat unassuming in the back for some time and observed the ceremony.





This church is one of the most highly decorated in Palermo and was constructed between 1564–1633. The use of coloured paint on the frescos added more beauty and vibrance to the church. The rest of church was covered in colourful marble.




















Interesting juxtaposition between the burned out car and the beautiful foliage growing on the side of the building.










The main Cathedral was a dominant building, but inside it paled in comparison to the Gesu Church I had just visited.























I spent a day at Mondello; a beach 10 km west of central Palermo. I paid to sit on a private beach which didn't prove as peaceful as I had hoped. All the families were out and the private beach was crawling with children (which I had hoped would only be on the public beach). More annoying than that were all the people walking around trying to sell their wares which kept interrupting the small pockets of peace and quiet I was able to find. I was quickly reminded this was not the French Rivera.











































I discovered a ruin being excavated.


















On a quiet side street I came across this lovely church on a Sunday morning.










Inside a service was going on and I sat for some time looking at the immense decorations. Perhaps it is the period these churches were constructed in, or the regional style, but I was more impressed with the handful of churches in Palermo than all the rest I have seen throughout Europe.
















A few blocks down the same road was another church.








Inside it was peaceful and a nice place to seek some refuge from the hot morning sun.











It's very common to see these old Fiat 500s everywhere. In Canada it would be a collector's item and here it is a common car. I love them!




One of the major roadways or thoroughfares between old and downtown Palermo is Via Rome. It is usually very hectic with all the major buses using it. On Sundays it is shut to traffic so a market can set up.







For my breakfast I tried one of this vendor's cannolis which is a typican Sicilian treat.