Palermo, Sicily - A Holland America Port

The Sicilian province of Palermo serves as a popular, yet quaint, port city for any Mediterranean Cruise. The area, known for its rich mosaics and decorative palaces, is steeped in Italian history, serving as great lessons for any traveler.

What to See
If Palermo tours have an unofficial starting point, Quattro Canti (Four Corners) is a good bet. Although the piazza at the intersection of via Maqueda and Corso Vittorio Emanuele is not particularly attractive, it is near most of the city's monuments and attractive buildings. When the crossroad was built in 1611, it separated the area into four main districts. Each section had its own distinct dialect, that left little room for intermingling. Historic residents of the four districts viewed each other with suspicion, if not open hostility. When touring the area, visitors must walk through Palermo's old districts.

For as long as anyone can remember, there has always been a palace on the hill above the old city. Although it's history stretches further back, Palazzo dei Normanni was renamed after the Normans enlarged and refitted the magnificent structure. In the 12th Century, the building - known as the Royal Palace - was one of Europe's finest. The structure's interior is lined with mosaics. However, its biggest treat awaits below in the splendid Cappella Palatina. The nave, covered with delicate mosaics and an intricately carved ceiling, is called the "finest religious jewel dreamt of by human thought."

Many of Sicily's treasures are displayed in Palermo's Archaelogical Museum, which houses items from the Greek civilization, as well as interesting Roman and Egyptian carvings. The 15th-Century Palazzo Abatellis is preserved as Galleria Regionale, a collection of Arab-Norman art. The two best-known works are the huge fresco entitled "Triumph of Death" and the Antonello of Messina's haunting and beautiful Madonna, the "Annunciation." The Palace is a popular Catalan-Gothic showpiece for travelers.

Construction of Palmero's Norman cathedral, Santa Maria Assunta (St. Mary of the Assumption), begun in the 12th Century, but it took several centuries to complete. Some of the architecture appears out of place since the building was modified so many years later. The design did incorporate Arabesque style, but the lines were later lost. However, the Norman foundation is still evident.

The interior of the building still contains some of the original design. The Royal Tombs serve as the resting places for some of Sicily's most famous rulers including Henry VI and Roger II, whose body was brought from Cefalu. Handsome and eccentric, King of Sicily and German Emperor Frederick II died more than 700 years ago. However, mourners still leave flowers at the resting site. Odo of Bayeaux, William the Conqueror's brother, is also buried at Palmero site. The building's treasury includes illuminated volumes, elegant gold jewelry and a collection of gem-encrusted chalices and crosses. The most famous is the Crown of Constance, a 12th-Century sculptural that elegantly blends Western, Byzantine and Arabic styles.

History
Even with fewer than 750,000 people, Palermo is Sicily's largest city and main port. Ships laden with fresh produce and manufactured goods ply the harbor. Despite the fact the commodities have changed, the commerce is nothing new to Palmero. Normans especially favored the port, and many of the most notable buildings date back to that period. However, Arab, Byzantine and Spanish elements are also evident in local architecture.