ShipCon Erasmus+ training courses give you opportunity to discover Palermo; sitting close to where Europe ends and Africa begins, Palermo bears the scars – and echoes the glories – of centuries of domination.
WHY PALERMO
Visit Palermo in any year and you’ll still be able to get your fill of art and culture across the UNESCO World Heritage historic centre. With its diverse, multi-ethnic background and history, there’s plenty to discover, including the incredibly lifelike 17th-century marble sculptures of Lio Gangeri and portraits by famous Sicilian artist Francesco Trombadori at the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Visit the oldest royal residence in Europe, the Palazzo dei Normanni, constructed with Arab foundations from the 9th century.
From art festivals and Unesco-listed puppets to some of the tastiest street food you’ll ever encounter, Sicily’s capital city – and this year’s Italian Capital of Culture – is full of memorable experiences.
SHIPCON ERASMUS+ PREMISES – PALERMO
ERASMUS+ IN PALERMO
Palermo is a city of southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Metropolitan City of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old. Palermo is in the northwest of the island of Sicily, by the Gulf of Palermo in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
PLACES TO VISIT IN PALERMO
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Street food bonanza
Palermo is proud of its Arabic origins, going back to the 8th century, and its three main markets, Capo, Vucciria and Ballarò, are reminiscent of Arab souks. The abundance and variety of food, and their theatrical vendors, give Palermo’s markets a distinct attitude. Touring them can be a bit daunting, so try a street food tour with Streaty. The price includes a passaporto del mangione (glutton’s passport), a certificate awarded to those who manage to eat their way to the end of the tour. Rick Stein apparently did it.
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Palermo Cathedral
Palermo Cathedral originally constructed in 1185 on the instruction of Pope Gregory I, the church has seen many uses including a mosque and a crypt.
Inside, a prominent feature is the treasure chamber that holds various artefacts from different time periods of the church, and also the tomb of Emperor Frederick II.
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Capuchin Abbey and Catacombs
The order of Capuchin Friars dates back to the 1500’s and this abbey was dedicated to their usage.
Whilst the abbey itself is not a fantastic building, the Capuchin catacombs are the true marvel and are not like any other attraction in Europe.
Here you will travel underground into the vast catacombs and see a macabre variety of burials and well preserved bodies from various periods in time.
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Teatro Massimo
Who would have thought that a theatre would be one of the largest structures in Palermo? The Teattro Massimo is immense and it towers over the relatively small buildings surrounding the Piazza Giuseppe Verdi.
Opened in 1897, it is the largest Opera House in Italy and is famed for its acoustic qualities.
With an exterior that looks more like a palace, this building is truly opulent, but the interior is just as lavish.
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Mondello Beach
15 minutes to the north of Palermo lies the buzzing town of Mondello – Here you will find the sublime Mondello Beach that is a great place to relax and enjoy the cool Mediterranean waters.
Although crowded at peak times, you will still have ample space to sunbathe or build a sandcastle! At the centre of the beach is the immense Art Nouveau pier and building that contain a restaurant and bar.
Come to Mondello to escape from sight-seeing and indulge in some relaxation or swimming in the crystal clear waters of the bay.
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Capella Palatina
The Palatine Chapel is located in close proximity to the Pallazzo dei Normanni in the centre of Palermo and is one of the best preserved examples of Byzantine architecture and artwork in Europe.
As part of the palace, it was built in 1132 and commissioned by Roger II of Sicily.
Dedicated to Saint Peter, the chapel has a central basilica and features a plethora of fantastic Byzantine artwork and architecture.
Covered in stunning mosaics that exhibit a fantastic amount of detail and colour, the walls and ceiling are packed full of religious and historical iconography.
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Monte Pellegrino
Sicily is full of mountains and hilly regions and Monte Pellegrino sits next to Palermo and offers an escape to nature with unparalleled views of the city and Mediterranean.
Aside from being a fantastic tourist attraction, the locals love to come here for an afternoon of fun too so expect to do some mingling.