Palermo is the city most cosmopolitan and largest of Sicily, it has a long and eventful history. Palermo is the central city and administrative seat of the autonomous region of Sicily, Italy as well as the capital of the Province of Palermo. Palermo is widely considered to be the most conquered city in the world. It was established in the 8th century BC by Phoenician tradesmen around a natural harbour on the north-western coast of Sicily. The Phoenician name for the city may have been Zīz, but Greeks called it Panormus, meaning all-port, because of its fine natural harbour. It should be noted however that the city was never Greek.

The great history of the city assures that there is a lot to see, although the city as a whole, as well as some of the sights, is in need of repair. The history started with the Phoenician conquest and it is going through the Roman, Arab, Norman and Swabian dominations. It is a fascinating blend of Orient and Occident. This fascinating city has, however, suffered a great deal from a bad reputation: the Mafia (Cosa Nostra) is intrinsic to the modern history of Sicily, and had for a long time its headquarters in Palermo. Nasty shootings took place here in the 1980s and 1990s, the most famous one being that of magistrates Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, who were killed in car bombs in 1992. Today Palermo is a fast, brash and exciting city. The mix of Arabic and Viking influences is one of the strangest and unexpected surprises the city has to offer. Buildings dating from the 11th and 12th century, the heyday of Medieval Sicily, offer this peculiar quality.

Today's visitors to the city shouldn't feel worry though: Palermo is safer than it has been in ages, and savvy travelers can't get enough of the place, making the most of this beautiful city before mass tourism destroys its unique character.

The Arabs contributed a great deal to the city's development and left permanent traces of their civilization, notably in the architecture and in the urban layout of the city. Centuries later, the Normans made Palermo the capital city of the Kingdom of Sicily, which achieved its height under Roger II. Roger II was fond of beauty and encouraged the development of the Sicilian arts and economy. He ordered the construction of numerous palazzi that are still major attractions of the town today.

Fall headlong into this vibrant city, and if you think to visit all the churches and catacombs, the Norman palace and the cathedral, you’ll really have to plan on spending a few days here! Even the labyrinthine street market of Vucciria alone, giving the feel of an oriental bazaar, will keep you occupied for a good few hours.

The City of Palermo