The advice that “Ariosto’s rooms” can give you are really many, try to make a path together:
In the “city of delights” coexist harmoniously Arabic domes, churches from the Baroque style, buildings in Liberty style, neoclassical theatres, green spaces that belong to 18th century, crystalline sea and swarming historical markets similar to the Arab Souk.
We start from the Cathedral of Palermo which is of 1185. The Interior was rebuilt in neoclassical style and is a Latin cross with three naves. Here are preserved the remains of the real of Sicily, including Frederick II and Roger II, and those of Santa Rosalia, the patron saint of the city. In the Treasure rooms you can admire the Golden tiara of Queen Constance of Sicily, together with other precious objects found in Royal tombs. This wonder is just 2.6 miles from Ariosto’s rooms.
Another marvel is the Church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio also known as the “Magic”, built in 1143 by George of Antioch, Vice Admiral Ruggero II. This charming church preserves the original Arabic – Norman style. This building is located very close to Ariosto’s rooms 3.1 miles.
One of the most important monuments is Palazzo dei Normanni, also known as the Royal Palace, built by the Arabs in the 9th century. It was transformed and enlarged by the Normans that made it the center of their power. That of Roger II of Sicily was a rich and sumptuous Royal Palace, as the mosaics of the Palatine Chapel, with the wonderful wooden ceiling on stalactites, is considered among the finest monuments of Sicily.
You can not renounce to visit Palermo markets. Are timeless places, which have preserved the charm of a culture that has left its unmistakable signs. Ballarò and Vucciria markets are the most visited, where the colours and perfumes of Palermo and the whole Sicily, congregate on the stalls of street vendors. Other two markets to visit absolutely are those of Capo, just behind Massimo Theatre, and Borgo Vecchio, located near the Harbour and is also open at night. Four places to relive an old Palermo, which never loses its charm. Worth doing only 8 km from Palermo, to visit in the town of Monreale, the beautiful Cathedral, Arab-Norman style, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, a destination for tourists and pilgrims from all over the world. The great religious edifice was built in 1174 by the Norman King William II. Also worth visiting the cloister arcade of the Benedictine monastery. The walls of the Cathedral, are covered with magnificent gold mosaics of the Byzantine school (12th and 13th century) and in the Central apse there is a masterpiece: the figure of Christ Pantocrator.
From starters to dessert, Palermo offers typical dishes absolutely unbeatable: various foods such as saffron, pistachio, prickly pears, oranges, mandarins, cinnamon are just some of the ingredients used in the creative kitchen of Palermo. Besides the legendary cannoli e cassate, taste the traditional dishes of the popular “street food”, like the famous arancine (fried rice balls breaded stuffed usually with meat sauce, mozzarella cheese and peas); the croquettes or “cazzilli” with potatoes; the panelle, (chickpea flour pancakes); the sfincione (a sort of thick pizza, topped with a sauce made from fresh tomatoes, onions, anchovies and caciocavallo cheese); and the proverbial u pane ca’ meusa, it is a bread stuffed with spleen, lung and trachea in small pieces cooked with lard, and tasted in two ways “outspoken” simple or “married” with ricotta cheese.
At this point we must go to sea; and where if not Mondello. Is located 11 km from the city, and is considered Palermo’s beach. The sea made even more incredible by the sandy bottom that stands out the contrasts between the sky close to the shore and the turquoise of the deepest points defined by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe “the world’s most beautiful Headland”. Once quiet village, Mondello today is a lively town with many restaurants, pubs and ice-cream parlour.
Mondello also has two 16th-century lookout towers and also many villas in Liberty style, known as the best expression of Art Nouveau in Italy.
and it is not over here…
