Landing in Palermo

Saturday, May 18, 2025

Palermo, Sicily

After braving a nearby tornado in Michigan the night before her flight, Mary arrived in Palermo in style. I had beat her there by less than an hour after visiting Kelly, Guido and Gaia for an afternoon on my way to Sicily.

We hopped a train into the city, ready to start our 11-day tour of Sicily.

First stop after checking into our hotel - a local gelateria to try our first granite (grah-nee-teh) with cream on top and a brioche for dipping. Mary had lemon and strawberry (fragola) and I tried mandorla (almond). Yummm.

In our wanderings we could see this impressive city gate from a distance and headed in that direction. Turns out it's the Porta Nuova. "Nuova" is a bit of a misnomer - it was built in the 1500s.

Along the way we passed the grand Cattedrale di Palermo. The palazzo in front was bustling with visitors, nuns, families coming for mass, and Franciscan in town for a conference. 

Next to the cathedral, this statue of Saint Rosalia watched over the crowds.

Santa Rosalia is the major patron saint of Palermo. They have others, but she's the most important. This statue of Rosalia is paraded around the city every year to commemorate the time in 1624 when Rosalia appeared to the people of Palermo, promising to stop a terrible plague. In earlier times it was common in Europe to process around a city with a saint's relics, praying along the way, to beg for their intercession. According to the legends of Santa Rosalia's miracle, people were cured as the first procession went by and the city was saved. 

Here's more info and one famous painting I found:

On the steps of the Teatro Massimo, the largest Opera House in Italy

We wandered narrow streets full of market stalls, learning quickly to step carefully since cobblestones were loose or missing everywhere. Palermo seems a bit rough around the edges but has a lot of charm. 

We may have seen enough shops selling the same souvenirs, but mixed in between were some unique artisans and many sidewalk restaurants.

Which version of limoncello would you choose?

Window shopping was very entertaining. This one displayed nativities representing countries around the world. I thought Canada was cute. And I liked "Olanda" up top.

Our lunch spot

Mary setting up TriCount, our expense-sharing app.

Just in front of the trattoria where we were finishing up lunch, a bridal party arrived. Apparently the goal was to get someone to sponsor free drinks all around. Cheers went up when one of the young men in their party approached the bar waving some bills. Limoncello shots for everyone!

Pinecone decorations are everywhere in Palermo, in all shapes and sizes. They represent welcome and other things.

We crossed through the Quattro Canti, or Four Corners, more than once that day. This is a major intersection in Palermo with statues of kings, the four seasons, and other sculptures marking each corner. Traveling always reminds me how much other countries treasure their public art.

Much of Palermo's main city area has been turned into pedestrian streets, but some cars and motorbikes are allowed through. We have no idea what the rules are, but with most of these vehicles being electric, they sure can sneak up on an unsuspecting tourist. 

We were a bit worn out from our wanderings, and Mary hadn't slept since she left Grand Rapids, so we dragged ourselves back to the Ambasciatori Hotel and called it an early night.

- Christine