The scents of coffee and local cakes in a small overloaded café where our taxi driver Sylvo invited us to are just wonderful!
It is only “just 10am” and it is just the right time to start your day with a small but strong espresso…
The capital of the Italian island Sicily (annexed to Italy in 1860), was founded by Phoenicia in the 8th century BC. Although there are different beautiful places on the island like the historical Cefalù or Taormina, luxury resorts from where it is possible to see the highest European volcano Etna, Palermo has its own charm and interesting monuments.
The most original and morbid are definitely the Catacombe dei Cappuccini (Capuchin catacombs), where more than 8000 corpses are stocked, in different levels of decay. The imposing Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace) is standing on the place of the Saracen Fortress. The Normans have progressively built up an entire palace complex. We are admiring a splendid byzantine mosaic decoration in a chapel of Palatine, that lawfully belongs to the prettiest ones in Europe.
Teatro Massimo (Massimo Theater) is beautifully repaired and its late morning surroundings are calm and ideal for street artists.
What about the mafia? This word is known by absolutely everyone. Yes, it’s here. Unfortunately, it doesn’t exist in movies only! While visiting the 12th century Cathedral, there is a section of actual and memorial exposition about life and work of a local priest that got shot by the mafia…
Local mercata– markets? “Si,si”, nods the driver and brings us to a little market with spices…mainly herbal mixes and pickled vegetables are the main temptation for Italian food lovers. Sicilian specialties are mainly influenced by Arab and Mediterranean cuisine. Excellent sweets as well as growingly popular local wines are becoming well known. Despite the flagrant crisis, the locals never forget the daily joys, which are good food and drinks. A siesta should not be missed neither. And this is wonderful!
sueslaght
Beautiful photos. I love the little blonde in front of the cakes.:)
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Kamila Pala
Thank you very much! And the “little blond” is my son, he likes traveling so much! Have a nice weekend.
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Sartenada
Title of this post sounds inviting!
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Kamila Pala
Yes! That is true story…and the people was so polite and helpful. Bye. K.
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Gaurab
Beautiful place and the food looks delicious too. 🙂 Whose statues are those that you clicked ?
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Kamila Pala
Thanks Gaurab! And, such a good question…the photo is from Piazza Pretoria Square with very famous “no name” sculptures – called “shameful”. Have a nice Sunday. Kamila
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An Englishwoman in Italy
Thanks for liking my post. We had a fascinating and fun visit to Palermo a few years ago and found a good restaurant – Il Cancelletto Verde. Standard of food and decor of restaurants was high generally.
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Kamila Pala
Palermo was nice surprise! Intersting history and really good food! I believe you all. I still have special spicy from Palermo in my kitchen! 🙂 Kamila
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Bama
I’ve been thinking of Sicily lately, then I found this post today. What a coincidence! It seems like such a pretty place.
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