Have you finally decided to plan your next vacation to Palermo but don’t know where to start? You’re probably wondering what to visit in Palermo and which five monuments you shouldn’t miss, given that there are so many churches, museums, and noble palaces. Here we are with some excellent suggestions to help you organize your trip.
One of the very first places we consider unmissable in Palermo is the splendid Royal Palace, also known as the Palazzo dei Normanni. This is the oldest royal residence in Europe, with its 10 centuries of history. Located at the highest point of Palermo, it has been used as a fortress by many peoples who have shaped the history of Sicily.
Initially resembling a castle with towers and high protective walls, the palace was transformed into a sumptuous royal residence by Roger II, the first king of Sicily. Around the year 1132, Roger ordered the construction of the magnificent Palatine Chapel within the splendid palace, a masterpiece of Sicilian Arab-Norman architecture.
Finally, a visit to Palermo cannot end without admiring this splendid jewel of medieval art. Inside, you can find beautiful golden mosaics, colored glass pastes, and various types of marble that will take your breath away and immerse you in a dreamlike atmosphere. It’s important to know that visits to the royal apartments and the Palatine Chapel are only allowed from Friday to Monday, while on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, only the Palatine Chapel can be visited.
What to Visit in Palermo? Which Monuments Shouldn’t Be Missed?
When in the beautiful Sicilian capital, the Cathedral of Palermo is undoubtedly another must-see. It stands on the site of the city’s ancient Arab mosque, although very little remains of this place of worship. We recommend going near the Catalan Gothic portico and looking for the column with Arabic inscriptions.
Observing this monument from the outside, you’ll be enchanted by its majesty and the variety of its style. This is because every people who ruled this city left their mark, but there’s one element that surprises more than anything else: the large neoclassical dome.
Finally, the Church of La Martorana is undoubtedly another gem of the Arab-Norman path that shouldn’t be overlooked. Be sure to capture it in many stunning photographs. Founded in the Norman period, around the year 1142, the church was the private chapel of George of Antioch’s palace.
Transformed from a Byzantine church to a small Latin basilica, it amazes with its beauty and perfect state of preservation. Here, you can admire blue background mosaics with Mediterranean palms and Greek saints depicted on the walls that will leave you in awe.
