La city ​​of Palermo it is kissed by the sun and the Mediterranean, welcoming by nature and rich in history and art. As happens a bit for all Italian cities, those who live in Palermo are usually immune to that "Stendhal syndrome”Which usually affects tourists who visit it for the first time. The historic center of is a continuous discovery. From the wide streets (via Roma o way of Liberty), to the imposing buildings (the post office building o Massimo Opera House), up to the historic districts (Ballarò, Vucciria or Head), the city always leaves you speechless. What is the secret of the Sicilian capital? There multiethnicity,welcome and its having been for many centuries a crossroads of different worlds.

City of Palermo - Ballarò historical market
Photo: © the director - Wikimedia Commons.

Palermo is in fact the product of the mix of cultures and civilizations that over the centuries have inhabited the island and left their mark here. The French writer Roger Peyrefitte he described it like this: "Palermo is Greek for its origins, for the brightness of its sky and for the mètopi of its museum, which are no less beautiful than those of Olympia; it is a Roman city for the memory of its struggles against Carthage and for the mosaics of the Villa Bonanno; it is an Arab city for the small domes of some of its churches, heirs of the mosques; it is a French city for the Altavilla dynasty who embellished it, a German city for the tombs of the Hohenstaufen, Spanish for Charles the Fifth and English for Nelson and Lady Hamilton".

City of Palermo: architectural and urban multiculturalism

La Palermo cathedral it is a perfect example of multiculturalism, with its mix of Romanesque, Norman, Islamic, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical styles. Although its construction dates back to 1185, its story begins much earlier, already in Punic age. Signs of the Arab passage to Palermo can be found in the three domes of the church of San Cataldo, while the Spanish passage is visible in the Prison of Palazzo Steri (seat of the Spanish Inquisition) and in Abatellis Palace with its Catalan Gothic architecture. But that's not all, walking through the historic center (district Kalsa) it is also possible to come across some details toponymic plates. The insignia, brown in color, are written in Italian taste, Arabic ed Jewish. This is because the ancient Arab quarter of the Middle Ages, when it expanded, incorporated the previous Jewish quarter within it. This is a clear sign of how the multiethnicity , multiculturalism have been ingrained for centuries.

Domes of the church of San Cataldo in Palermo
Photo: © Rabe! - Wikimedia Commons

There are also some hidden places in Palermo, always of Arab construction. It is about the qanat, or underground channels that were used to draw from the aquifers of the city and make the water flow to the surface. This technique was then also exploited by Normans. In addition to water, the qanat were also used to convey fresh air flows in the days of sirocco. These are called rooms of the sirocco, like that one Get out, a Villa Savagnone. The qanat of the city, such as the High Jesuit and Lower Jesuit they can still be visited, but only by booking a guided tour.

European capital of street food

The city, of course, is also multicultural when it comes to food. Palermo, in addition to having been Italian capital of culture in 2018, it is also European capital of street food. It is in fact impossible to stroll through the streets of the city without wanting to eat one sfincione, a cannoli, a sandwich with spleen, panelle and crocché or anarancina. Many of these, once again, were born under the Arab domination (as well as the cassata). Others, such as bread with spleen, belong to tradition kosher jewish.

Close up of sandwich with panelle
Photo: © Dedda71 - Wikimedia Commons

Finding good street food in Palermo is not difficult. The most renowned are Ninu u dancer (near the court), Francu u vastiddaru (in Piazza Marina), Rocky "the king of Vucciria"And Charcoal door (near the port). If you are looking for an arancina bomb instead, just go to the Touring bar, in front of Villa Julia andBotanical Garden. Visiting Palermo does not only mean visiting a city, but immersing yourself in a multicolored mini-universe. Often those who arrive, even if moved by strong prejudices, cannot help but fall in love with the city and its inhabitants. Palermo is art, sun, sea, hospitality, integration, good food, but above all life. Long live Palermo and Santa Rosalia.

City of Palermo: multicultural center with a thousand souls last edit: 2020-12-05T09:00:00+01:00 da Antonello Ciccarello

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