Palermo, Capital city in Sicily, Italy
Palermo is the capital of Sicily on the northern coast of the island, where wide boulevards alternate with narrow alleys and several neighborhoods display different architectural styles. The city sits between the sea and the mountains, with baroque palaces standing beside Arab-Norman buildings and open squares connecting various quarters.
Phoenician traders established the settlement in the 8th century BC, before Arab rulers developed it into a major Mediterranean power during medieval times. Norman kings took over the city in the 11th century and blended various building styles, which remains visible today.
The Ballarò market stretches through narrow streets of the old town, where vendors sell fresh fish, vegetables, and street food such as panelle and arancini. Visitors can watch locals shopping in the morning, bargaining loudly and exchanging neighborhood news over piles of produce.
The main train station south of the old town offers regular connections to the airport and other Sicilian cities, while hotels and guesthouses in all price ranges scatter throughout the center. Pedestrians find most sights within walking distance for a day, though local buses serve outer districts.
The Cappella Palatina inside the Norman Palace shows Byzantine mosaics on the walls and an Arab wooden ceiling above them, both combined in the same small room. This mix came about because Norman kings employed craftsmen from different cultures at the same time.
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