На юге острова Сицилия находится его столица - city of palermo. It is the administrative center of the province of the same name. The city was founded more than 30 centuries ago, and today it has become a huge metropolis with a population of more than 700 thousand people.
Palermo (Sicily), the photo of which you will see inOur article is an ideal option for those who dream of a relaxing holiday on the coast and getting to know interesting cultural and architectural monuments. The city is located in one of the most famous areas of sunny Italy - on the island of Sicily. They love tourists here, they strive to fulfill every whim of them, and the Italians win the hearts of visitors with hospitality and benevolence.
Climate
The weather conditions in Palermo are very comfortable forrecreation. Here in the year falls the least amount of rain in the country. The climate is very mild - with a short winter and long summer. July and August are the hottest months. The beach season lasts from late May to late October. Those who come to Palermo to get acquainted with the cultural and historical heritage of the city will be most comfortable here in spring (March-April) or in autumn (October-November).
Palermo (Sicily) - beaches
There are many reasons to choose a beach holiday in Palermo:
- for locals, the word tourist is law;
- the opportunity to alternate beach holidays with excursions;
- rental of beach equipment and hotel rooms are not too expensive;
- many interesting offers for those who like to relax actively;
- private beaches with regularly cleaned sand and clear water.
Features of the service on the beach
You can have a great time on the island.Sicily. Palermo, a holiday in which will leave an unforgettable impression, provides its guests with such a high level of service that you will never have to regret choosing this hospitable city for recreation.
Service for guests on different beachesvaries somewhat. It depends on what territory belongs to the site. For example, the best sandy beaches of the city are considered to be the territory of 4 * and 5 * hotels. They will be pleased with a fantastic service for which you will not have any complaints.
Rest on local beaches lasts all year.There are periods when the weather is more favorable for seasonal holidays. Many tourists consider the best time for a beach holiday is spring and autumn. During this period there are not so many tourists in the city, and the weather is warm, dry and sunny.
Rest for lovers of extreme sports
If you dream of diving into the underwater world andexplore the seabed, then you need to go to Palermo. The Tyrrhenian Sea has a surprisingly bright and diverse underwater world, which is admired even by outspoken skeptics.
Instructors give lessons in diving, swimming andsurfing. In addition, here you can rent sports equipment for outdoor activities. On the beaches of Palermo, you can ride a canoe or quad bike, visit the local water park with attractions such as one glance at which is dizzy.
Palermo (Sicily): attractions
Many tourists come to this wonderful city notjust to soak up the gentle sunshine. No one will argue with how amazing Italy is. Sicily, Palermo in particular, are famous for such magnificent monuments of history, culture, architecture, which have no price. We will introduce you to some of them.
Norman Palace
Former residence of the ruling persons of Sicily. The palace today is the administrative building of the autonomous region. In our time, there are meetings of the Regional Parliament.
The first buildings on this territory are of the same age.Palermo. At first it was the Phoenician, and later - the ancient Roman fortifications. In the middle of the 9th century, the Arabs conquered this territory. They built here the Palace of the Amirs.
At the end of the XI century, the Normans captured the territory.They restored a beautiful building, added some buildings - 4 towers: Leaning, Red, Joaria, Greek. Only the Leaning Tower of Pisa has survived to this day. The Norman Palace quite harmoniously combines elements of two popular architectural styles - Norman and Arabic.
There are several halls open to visitors.receive guests only at a time when the Sicilian Parliament does not sit. Guides claim that the most popular among tourists hall is Roger II, who was the founder and first king of Sicily. It was he who began to build the Palatine Chapel.
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Все приезжающие в Палермо (Сицилия) the sights begin to explore from the Cathedral - a magnificent monument of the Arab-Norman style. It was erected in the XII century. Until the 17th century, it was rebuilt several times, in connection with which its architecture contains elements of Gothic, Baroque and Classicism.
Здесь находятся гробницы королей Сицилии и emperors of Germany, during the rule of which the flourishing of the Sicilian kingdom. The main shrine of the temple - the relics of Saint Rosalia (patroness of Palermo). Believers believe that they have miraculous power, touching them leads to the healing of seriously ill patients.
Church of San Cataldo
The monuments of Palermo (Sicily) are amazingly diverse. Sights of the city differ not only by their age, but also by architectural styles.
The church is executed in the Arab-Norman style.Externally, it resembles a mosque. It was built in the XII century. The church was rebuilt many times, and in the middle of the XVIII century there was a post station in it. In 1885 it was reconstructed and acquired its original appearance.
Это здание имеет необычную форму - куба, с тремя facades (southern, northern and western), decorated with false arches with small windows. The parapet of the roof is decorated with Arabic teeth, and it is crowned with 3 red domes, which are typical for mosques.
The interior of San Cataldo is also made in the classic Arabic style. Of the interior items belonging to the XII century, today only an inlaid floor and an altar are preserved.
Capuchin Catacombs
Capuchin Catacombs (often called the Museumof the dead) - this is an old cemetery, where the whole nobility of Palermo of the 16th – 19th centuries rests - the aristocracy, the clergy. The first members of the Order of the Capuchins were buried here. They moved to Sicily and established their monastery. Later, they began to bury their relatives right in the dungeon. The air temperature and humidity of the dungeon allowed the bodies to remain incorruptible for a long time.
Capuchin catacombs contain skeletons, mummies andembalmed body. There are more than 8 thousand of such "exhibits". They lie, sit, stand, hang on the walls, forming different compositions. This museum in Palermo (Sicily) receives the most controversial reviews. For many tourists, it leaves an unpleasant aftertaste.
Pretoria Fountain
It has a second name, unofficial - Fountainshame. Its author was the Florentine Francesco Camigliani. It was an order for the residence of the Viceroy of Sicily and Naples in Tuscany. After his death, the fountain was acquired by the authorities of Palermo. It was decided to install on Piazza Pretoria, where he is to this day.
The fountain is executed in the antique style - three stoneBowls are surrounded by statues of animals, mythical heroes and the naked gods of Olympus. Thanks to these sculptures, the fountain received a second name. By the way, the area where it was installed is often called the area of shame.
Teatro Massimo
This is the third largest theater in Europe.The author of the project is architect Giovanni Basile. Construction work continued for twenty-three years (1874-1897). An interesting fact is that a hundred years later, history repeated itself during the reconstruction of the theater. It began in 1974 and ended in 1997, 4 days before the 100th anniversary of the theater.
The building is designed for three thousand spectators. In the concert hall there is great acoustics, therefore operas became the basis of the troupe's repertoire.
Today Massimo is open not only for visitingspectators, but also for sightseeing tours of the building. In the lobby, there are busts of famous composers who are the works of sculptor D. Liva and his sons.
Botanical Garden
Not only architectural and historicalmonuments famous for Palermo (Sicily). Sights of the city include, of course, the luxurious Botanical Garden. He is one of the largest in Italy. Its area is 10 hectares. On the territory of the garden there are more than 12 thousand plant outlets. This is also an interesting museum, but in the open air. His prototype appeared in 1779, when scientists of the Royal Academy of Sciences began to grow medicinal plants on a tiny plot of land.
Gradually, the Botanical Garden expanded.In 1786, the construction of its main premises began - the central building, gymnasium, tepidaria and calidaria. Later an aquarium and a new garden for aquatic plant species were built. Now it is a scientific laboratory of the University of Palermo. The symbol of the garden is a huge ficus with roots of unusual shape. He was brought to Sicily from Australia in 1945.
Sicily, Palermo: tourist reviews
Probably, it is impossible to find a person who would be dissatisfied with the trip to Sicily. Tourists are delighted with the magnificent nature, amazing service, hospitality of the locals.
Many are particularly pleased with the ability to combinebeach vacation with interesting excursions. There is a category of tourists who believe that prices for accommodation are too high. But not everyone agrees with this opinion.
