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In 1885 Guy de Maupassant in his “Journey to Sicily” wrote:
Sicily should exert a double attraction on the traveller: for both her natural beauty, as well as, her artistic beauty which are as particular as they are noteworthy. [ ] Yet, what truly makes Sicily a unique and indispensable place to visit, is the fact that she is a strangely, divine, architectural museum from one extremity to the other.
The amazing thing about Palermo and its surrounding territory is its authenticity, its variety and uniqueness. It is this that has drawn visitors to its shores and continues to do so. Today, travellers like you, are arriving in this city and are able to experience the very same marvel as those travellers in the past.
Why? Here are some reasons.
1. A journey into the History of Art
Palermo – Oratorio di Santa Cita
On 3rd July, 2015, Palermo Cathedral, Royal or Norman Palace, Palatine Chapel, Church of S. Giovanni degli Eremiti, Church of San Cataldo and Martorana, Zisa Castle, Admiral’s Bridge, Cefalù and Monreale Cathedral were registered as a monumental complex on the Unesco World Heritage List Humanity World Heritage. You can read in the Statement of outstanding universal value: [ ]An original architectural and artistic style of exceptional universal value […]
Monreale Cathedrale
3. Museums and Masterpieces
The works of art in the museums of the metropolitan area in Palermo by themselves represent a good reason to visit our territory. Pietra di Palermo, exhibited at Salinas Museum, a very important bilingual text for the knowledge of the ancient Egiptian history is second only to the Rosetta stone. Also at Salinas Archaeological Museum in Palermo the Bonci- Casuccini Collection is one of the richest and most prestigious collections of Etruscan art in the world. Unmissable at Palazzo Abatellis, Regional Gallery of Sicily there are: Annunziata by Antonello da Messina and Triumph of Death. Among the exhibition halls of Mandralisca Museum in Cefalù, two masterpieces, known all over the world, are kept: Ritratto di Uomo by Antonello da Messina known also as The unknown mariner’s smile after the publication of the novel by Vincenzo Consolo, and the Vase of Tuna seller dated 380 B.C. Unique among the masterpieces of the deep past, numerous in our museums, there is the Phiale Aura di Caltavuturo IV-III B.C. exhibited at Antiquarium in Himera. More recent works, also significant, are on display at the Museum “Guttuso” in Villa Cattolica in Bagheria and at GAM of Palermo. In the latter you can admire monumental format paintings by Sciuti, the famous realist painting I Carusi by Onofrio Tomaselli, the landscapes and sights by Leto, Lo Iacono and by many other artists. G. Pitrè Museum in Palermo and Museo d’Aumale can be mentioned among the numerous ethno-antropological Museums in several Districts.
4. Palermo European Capital of Street Food
“Arancine, panelle. cazzilli, sfincione, milza, frittola, stigghiole” are just some of the delicacies of the so-called street food, thanks to which the first place on the list went to Palermo, the top spot in Europe and the fifth place in the world on the list of the ten world capitals of street food published on the site Virtual Tourist.com, the largest community of web travellers.
Panino con le panelle
5. Gastronomic delights and wine tourism
Our gastronomic excellence is not just Street Food. Who’s never heard about pasta con le sarde (pasta with sardines) or con il nero di seppia (pasta with squid ink)? Or anelletti di pasta al forno (baked anelletti pasta), sarde a beccafico or caponata? Or also about Sicilian sweets such as Cassata or Cannolo. As regard fine Sicilian wine, Monreale DOC wine and Catarratto grape variety are to be mentioned here. Many other Districts of the Province are also involved in other important wine roads. A feast for the eyes, a feast for the senses, each dish is a real delicacy.
Sfince di San Giuseppe
6. The sea, the sun, beaches, reserves.
Low and sandy, pebbly or rocky, free or furnished beaches, for elderly people and families, the seaside of our coast can meet your needs. Mondello with its palm trees, fine sand and its clear sea is a feast for the eyes. Ideal for unforgettable experiences of snorkeling and archaeo-diving is the island of Ustica. Cefalù is the second most important resort after Taormina, with its clear water and its remarkable cultural heritage can surprise and enchant you.
Capaci con l’Isolotto delle Femmine sullo sfondo
7. Nature: Mountains, Parks, oriented Reserves, marine protected Areas
Very few are the lands all over the world which can offer tourists such wonderful and breathtaking views. The Madonie Park, with its 4 most beautiful small towns in Italy, twenty oriented Reserves, the four strict nature Reserves where commercial activities are not permitted except for scientific research, the two marine Areas, one of them, the Isle of Ustica, institutionally the first in Italy. They represent a heritage of great interest both for the variety of flora and fauna. It is the case that, from one place you can gaze the mountains, the sea as well as the islands on the horizon. About 173.000 acres of parks and reserves are good paths for walking or more challenging areas for trekking, to practice horseback riding tourism or simply to enjoy the wonderful landscapes. Indeed our territory, perfect tourist destination all year round, answers the needs of lovers of snow: in the heart of Madonie, Piano Battaglia is an important ski and tourist resort in our area.
Ballo della Cordella
9. Shopping and Master Craftsmanship
A souvenir from our province to take with you? There are plenty of choices. Ceramics, pottery, embroidery, lace, filigree jewelery or made with the chiaccherino technique, holy icons, fashion accessories (bags and hats), musical instruments, biscuits, wine, PDO cheese, products of Slow Food Foundation, oil, liqueurs and bitters, almond paste…
10. Our Hospitality
“Angeli del Turismo” – Progetto Città Metropolitana di Palermo