Palermo: Mosaics, Palazzi and Gardens

Golden mosaics in a chapel, palazzi with richly decorated interiors and expansive gardens reveal different sides of Palermo. As you explore the city, you will encounter buildings from different eras, as well as green spaces and performing arts.

Mosaics, World Heritage and Palazzi

The Cappella Palatina is located on the first floor of the Palazzo dei Normanni. It was built between 1130 and 1132, during the reign of Roger II. Golden mosaics by Byzantine masters adorn the entire chapel; a Christ Pantocrator is depicted in the dome. The impression of the interior thus connects with the history of the Norman Kingdom of Sicily.

The Royal Palace with the Cappella Palatina, the Palazzo della Zisa, Palermo Cathedral, San Giovanni degli Eremiti, Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio, San Cataldo and the Ponte dell’Ammiraglio are among the components of the Arab-Norman Palermo UNESCO World Heritage Site. Together with the cathedral churches of Cefalù and Monreale, Palermo forms a serial World Heritage Site comprising nine civil and religious buildings from the period of the Norman Kingdom of Sicily, from 1130 to 1194.

Palermo Cathedral was built in 1184 and preserves traces of the successive rulers of the city. It also houses a silver reliquary containing the mortal remains of Saint Rosalia. They were found on Monte Pellegrino on July 15, 1624. The building brings together architectural history and religious tradition.

The Palazzo Steri offers a different architectural picture. It was built around 1320 by Manfredi I of the Chiaramonte family. Its square floor plan, two-storey arcaded courtyard and three floors in total define the complex. In the Sala Magna, the painted wooden ceiling, dating from 1377 and depicting scenes from the life of knights, stands out. Admission includes a 40-minute guided visit; a one-hour guided tour can be requested by reservation. Check the visiting arrangements before making plans.

Performing Arts and City History

Tours of the Teatro Massimo take visitors through the Great Hall, the salon by the Royal Box, the Pompeian Room, the Coat of Arms Room and the foyer. Backstage tours offer insights into the creation of an opera or ballet production; their content varies depending on the production being staged at the theater. The tour is accessible and includes 3D models of the rooms and tactile maps for blind and visually impaired visitors. As visiting arrangements may change, it is advisable to check before your visit.

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; it opened to visitors in 1995. Check the visiting arrangements before your trip. The Capuchin Catacombs also offer a distinctive perspective on the city: they illustrate the customs, ways of life and traditions of Palermo society from the 17th to the 19th century.

Palermo is also known for pani c’a meusa, a street-food sandwich made with soft sesame bread, boiled veal spleen and boiled veal lung. Traditionally, it can be found in the historic center and at the markets. Alongside the city’s great buildings, this food culture is part of everyday life.

Gardens and Natural Areas

The Botanical Garden of the University of Palermo was founded in 1789, covers ten hectares and cultivates around 6,000 plant species. An open-air museum active for more than 200 years, it is home to numerous tropical and subtropical plants. Its collections are arranged, among other ways, according to the scientific systems of Linnaeus and Engler; a palmetum and a cycadetum are also among its features. The garden’s diverse layout makes it not only a green space but also a place where different approaches to botanical classification can be found.

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 stands on the grounds of the former Genoard hunting park and covers 30,000 square meters. The Parco della Favorita, also known as the Real Tenuta della Favorita, is Palermo’s largest green space at 400 hectares and lies at the foot of Monte Pellegrino.

The Monte Pellegrino Nature Reserve protects biodiversity within the city and encompasses an area of geological, archaeological and landscape significance. The reserve includes the distinctive promontory of Monte Pellegrino, which rises to 609 meters. Visitors should follow the marked trails and observe the instructions on information and warning signs. The Capo Gallo Nature Reserve protects rare and endemic plant and animal species, as well as carbonate geomorphological formations on Monte Gallo; these include a coastal vermetid pavement.

Getting There and Choosing a Hotel Location

Trenitalia operates two trains per hour in each direction between Palermo and Palermo Airport, Falcone e Borsellino Airport. The faster train reaches the city center in just over half an hour. Service frequency and journey times may change, so check the timetable before traveling.

This way, you can choose a starting point to suit the purpose of your trip without needing to assume that any particular accommodation has specific amenities.

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