A Quick Tour of Italy - Palermo, Sicily

If you're in the mood of a European tourist destination, should consider the island of Sicily, a region of southern Italy. Depending on their own specific interests, this beautiful area could be your ideal holiday destination. You can get classic Italian food, and wash it with fine wine. And parts of Sicily have not yet been discovered by tourists. This article presents the Sicilian capital, Palermo. Additional Articles present Sicily.Palermo western and eastern Sicily is the capital of Sicily and the largest city with a population of about 700000. It was founded in the eighth century BC by the Phoenicians who wanted to exploit its natural harbour. This strategically located city was conquered again and again. For example, in the past it was a Muslim city with two or three hundred mosques. The period of occupation from Norman in 1072 and lasting for well over a hundred years was considered Palermo golden age. The conquests continued almost without interruption. Palermo was heavily destroyed during World War II. To some extent, Palermo is still in the hands of a conqueror, Mafia.Start in the cathedral, built in 1185 on the site of a Byzantine basilica that was converted into a mosque by the Saracens in the ninth century. Other historic churches that are worth visiting San Giovanni dei Lebbrosi, San Giovanni degli Eremiti and the Greek Orthodox Church The Martorana. Many churches and other buildings are located on or near beautiful parks.The Teatro Massimo (Grand Theatre) is the largest opera house in Italy. The movie The Godfather Part III contains a famous scene, of course, violent, which took place at the Theatre of steps.The Palazzo Reale was the seat of government for centuries. Now is the home of the Sicilian Parliament. The Palatine Chapel was the royal chapel of the Norman kings of Sicily. Their mosaics are well worth seeing. The building and its furniture are a great combination of Arabic, Byzantine and Norman styles.Don 't miss the Salinas Regional Archaeological Museum with its cave drawings. After a change of pace visit the Museo delle Marionette many of whose puppets are hundreds of years old.Finish his visit to Piazza Pretoria (Pretoria Square). The fountain that dominates the plaza is decorated with hundreds of sculptures whose lack of clothing led to the designation, "Source of shame". We suggest that you see in this square night.Sicily has always adapted foods foreigners arriving in the Sicilian versions. Put together all these foreign influences and Sicilian cooking is unique. See our companion article I Love Touring Italy - Palermo, Sicily for a sample menu and more information on the wines of the region, as well as an in-depth examination of its tourist attractions. Marsala DOC, which was exported to England and over two hundred years ago, Sicily is the best known wine. Marsal Most are sweet, some are great, others are not.
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/a-quick-tour-of-italy-palermo-sicily-495530.html