P. Marlin July 2022
This post is part of the Italy Itinerary 2022.
We flew into Palermo airport just before noon on June 6, 2022. After picking up our rental car, we carefully drove the harrowing route into the historic center of Palermo (avoiding the ZTL) to check into our hotel, the Best Western Ai Cavalieri Hotel. After settling in, we began our Palermo walking tour by eating lunch near Palermo's Opera House, the Teatro Massimo, then visiting the Porta Nuova an ancient city gate located at the entrance of Via Vittorio Emanuele. A non traffic street, the Via Vittorio Emanuele makes for a great late afternoon, evening walk. We enjoyed a sunset view of the Palermo Cathedral and ate our first "Gelato con Brioche," Gelato in brioche bread.
A dog peers down from a balcony as we make our way along the Via Beati Paoli. P Marlin 2022
A unique home front on Via del Celso. P Marlin 2022
One of Palermo's unique street views. P Marlin 2022
Palermo buildings located near the Teatro Massimo. J Marlin 2022
Chiesa dei Tre Re (church). Exterior photo of the Chiesa dei Tre Re
(church of three kings). "The Church "de santi Tre Re dell'Oriente" was built in
1545 by the Senate of Palermo in via del Celso, at the corner with via Montevergini,
on the pre-existing church of San Giorgio Lo Xheri. In 1580 the Senate granted the church to
the Company of dried fruit shopkeepers, who dedicated it to its patrons: the Three Kings.
The rebuilding of the structure took place in the mid-18th century, by the architect Francesco Ferrigno."
2 The church has suffered from abandonment and vandalism since it was bombed in 1943.
Our first Sicilian meal. P Marlin 2022
Our first cannoli in Sicily. P Marlin 2022
On the Via Maqueda. P Marlin 2022
Firestone station located near Bastione Guccia.
Bastione Guccia (XVIth century) located near Porta Nuova. P Marlin 2022
Porta Nuova (historic city gate). "The gate was called Porta Nuova because it was opened in
1460 to replace another one. It is located near Palazzo dei Normanni or Palazzo Reale, the residence
of the Kings and Viceroys of Sicily. In 1535 it was the location of great celebrations in honour
of Emperor Charles V who had just conquered Tunis. The Emperor entered the town followed by
thousands of Arab prisoners and Christians he had freed from slavery. Fifty years later Viceroy
Marcantonio Colonna decided to rebuild the gate in the form of a triumphal arch which
celebrated the victory of the Emperor, hence the four telamons portraying Arab prisoners.
In 1667 the explosion of a nearby gunpowder magazine brought about the collapse of the gate.
It was rebuilt as it was."1
Porta Nuova (historic city gate).
View of the Porta Nuova from Via Vittorio Emanuele.
Palatine Chapel, Norman Palace, and the Teatro Marmoreo
.
Considered the oldest royal residence in Europe, the Palazzo dei Normanni has been the home of
Sicily's rulers since the ninth century. In the ninth century, Arab emirs built on the
original Cathaginian foundation from the fifth century BC. When the Normans arrived in the
11th Century, they adopted the palace as their own and added onto it.
The Teatro Marmoreo located in front of the Norman Palace. The
Teatro Marmoreo (marble theater) was erected in 1662 to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the
coronation of King Philip IV. In 1856 a new statue of Philip of Anjou was placed on the monument.
Another view of the Teatro Marmoreo.
Palermo Cathedral sunset view.
Gelato con Brioche.
Via Vittorio Emanuele storefront. 2
Piazza Quattro Canti. Labeled "four corners" for its quartet of
sculpted facades is considered the center of the city.
Piazza Quattro Canti.
Piazza Quattro Canti.
Piazza Bologni on Via Vittorio Emanuele. 2
Palermo street at twilight.
Palermo street at twilight.
Teatro Massimo. Italy's largest opera house, built 1875, sits
within the Piazza Verdi. Also the filming site of The Godfather III.
Teatro Massimo
Teatro Massimo
Palermo night scene.
Palermo night scene.
Best Western Ai Cavalieri Hotel. A lovely hotel with parking behind the hotel (located down a narrow road next to the hotel).
They also provided breakfast the morning we were there.
Yours truly.
1 Rome in the Footsteps of an XVIIIth Century Traveller