Palermo

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HOW TO GET TO PALERMO

By Plane – The city airport, Punta Raisi (or Falcone-Borsellino as it is was re-christened after the two judges were murdered by mafia), is located some 20km north of Palermo. Buses provide a shuttle service to the city centre, running every 30 minutes; these stop at Via lazio, Piazza Ruggero Settimo, in front of the Politeama theatre and at the Stazione Centrale, in front of the Hotel Elena; tel. 091 580457. 091/580457.

By sea – National ferry companies provide services from Genoa, Naples, Livorno, Cagliari and the smaller islands (Ustica, Pelagian, Egadi, and Aeolian Islands); international services operate from Malta and Tunis. For information contact a travel agent.

By coach – A direct bus service between Palermo and Rome is provided by the Segesta Bus company; coaches departing from Stazione Tiburtina in Rome arrive at Piazza Balsamo (no. 26), in Palermo; they also stop at 3 Via Turati. Journey time is about 12 hours; tel. 091 6167919 or 6169039. A parallel service is provided by Sais Trasporti from Rome (Stazione Tiburtina) to Palermo, changing at Caltanissetta; tel. 091 6171141.

Trinacria is both an alternative name for Sicily and a synonym for its regional symbol, the triskelion, which also appears on the flag of Sicily.

Historically, the name Trinacria was used after the Peace of Caltabellotta War of the Sicilian Vespers.

Frederick III of Sicily was recognised as king over Sicily, with the title of "King of Trinacria." (1302) to distinguish between the two Sicilies that became a reality after that Charles of Anjou was recognised as king over the southern portion of the Italian peninsula, with the title of King of Sicily, usually rendered by historians as "King of Naples," for such was his capital.

Mythology

The Medusa in the center of the triskelion implies the protection of the Goddess Athena, the patron Goddess of the Isle. In early mythology, Medusa was the destructive aspect of Athena. Later, she was a monster slain by the hero Perseus, whose head then adorned Athena's shield.

'MAIN MONUMENTS CITY-CENTER

"TEATRO MASSIMO", one of the biggest and famous theatres in Europe.

"TEATRO POLITEAMA", located in the biggest square of the city.

Quite close from the theatres there is "QUATTRO CANTI" a small square at the crossing of the ancient main roads (Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda) dividing the town into its 4 oldest quarters and "PIAZZA PRETORIA", where there is the Town Hall of the city and a magnificient fountain. In Via Vittorio Emanuele there is the "CATHEDRAL", characterized by the presence of different styles with its mix of gothic and norman...very characteristic. You can see many other wonderful churchs in Palermo, as "SAN GIOVANNI DEGLI EREMITI", one of the greatest Norman churchs, built in 1142, "MARTORANA", situated in "Piazza Bellini", SANTA ZITA, S.FILIPPO NERI, SAN DOMENICO, situated in PIAZZA SAN DOMENICO, near the "VUCCIRIA MARKET", one of the oldest part of the city. Talking about the old markets of the city you can't miss a visit to "BALLARO", the biggest and live market of the city, next to the station and via Maqueda. Close to public university there is "PALAZZO DEI NORMANNI", which is one of the most beautiful Italian palaces and a notable example of Norman architecture, probably built over an Arab fortress; it houses the famous "CAPPELLA PALATINA".

THE SUBBORGS:

An other big attraction of Palermo is "MONTE PELLEGRINO", with the SANCTUARY OF SANTA ROSALIA; from this mountain (about 500 metres high) you can see a breathtaking landscape of the city, very romantic!!! Near Palermo there is "MONREALE", a village/suburb 8 km south of Palermo, sitting on the hill with a great view back towards the city and the sea. Be sure to visit the Duomo (Cathedral) and it's cloisters too. An other attraction is, of course, the SEA; The BEACH OF MONDELLO is one of the most beautiful and crowded in Sicily. Mondello's beach is a very nice and hot beach, full of people and tourists in the summer-time, but it gets sometimes too crowded in summer. It is much better during the spring-time, in fact you can swim there without problems also in spring, when it is less crowded (in some summer days you don't even find a meter-square available)!

FOOD:

If you want to taste the real Sicilian food, our advice are:

BAR TOURING where you can taste the famous "arancina bomba" (via Lincoln, next to the sea-side).

GELATERIA CICCIO where you can eat the best ice-cream of the city (Corso dei Mille, next to the Station)

FOCACCERIA SAN FRANCESCO where you can find all the best Sicilian food, "arancine", "pane con milza", "pasta con sarde", "pasta al forno", "panelle e crocchè", "cannoli" (Piazza San Francesco next to via Roma and via Vittorio Emanuele).

SHOPPING:

If you are a lover of shopping you can go to "via Libertà" (the "fancy" street), near Politeama's square or to "via Roma", where there are many shops. Close to the Cathedral you can find a lot of souvenir's shops.

DRINKS AND NIGHTLIFE:

If you want to spend a nice evening in the city-center, I suggest to go first to VIA CANDELAI, street full of pubs with cheap cocktails, via Venezia (da Peppino), CHAMPAGNERIA, OLIVELLA, places full of pubs and people every day of the week.

In the weekend there are cheap clubs for students and young people like BLOW-UP, where we organize weekly our "Saturday Erasmus party", CAYMAN, MORA MORA, PUB CANDELAI, LULU PUB.

You can directly contact us to see what is going on in the city to spend a nice time together!