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Hotel Palazzo Sitano
Italy at its finest plus a modern city flair
Discover Palermo
Palermo was captured by the Romans during the Punic Wars and later became part of the Byzantine Empire. The city was under Arab rule for a short period and became the capital of the Emirate of Sicily. After being conquered by the Normans, Palermo was promoted to the capital of the Kingdom of Sicily (1130–1816). Following the fusion of Norman and Swabia families, by the marriage of Henry VI Duke of Swabia and Constance of Altavilla, Palermo became the capital of the Kingdom of Sicily and reached its peak thanks to Frederick II of Swabia, which elected Palermo as the seat of his court and the political and cultural center. The remains of the Emperor "Stupor Mundi" are kept in the Cathedral of the city. Finally, the city became part of the Kingdom of Naples until the unification of Italy in 1860.
The coastal city is now the political and cultural centre of the island and Italy’s fifth largest city. And Palermo has a lot to offer. Its streets are filled with bustling shops, there’s a good trattoria on every corner and even people in search of a beach holiday will find exactly what they’re looking for at Mondello, the city’s attractive beach and also a hotspot among the residents of Palermo.
Discover the rich history, culture and tradition of Sicily: Numerous museums, cathedrals, excellent shopping and fantastic restaurants await you!
To give you just a taste of what you’ll find here, we’ve put together a few tips about Palermo:
Cathedral of Palermo
The Cathedral of Palermo, or Cathedral Maria Santissima Assunta (Most Holy Mary of Assumption), was built in 1184/1185 in Arab-Norman style. The cathedral contains the remains of the Hohenstaufen emperors Henry VI and Frederick II, Queen Constance of Altavilla and the Norman conqueror of the city, Roger II.
Quattro Canti
Quattro Canti (English: “four corners”) is one of the most beautiful squares in Palermo. It is at the crossing of the two principal streets Via Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda. The square is also called “Teatro del Sole” because the sun shines on one of the corner facades throughout the day.
Teatro Massimo
Teatro Massimo is the largest opera house in Italy and the third largest in Europe following the Paris Opera and the Staatsoper of Vienna. The ornately decorated auditorium seats 3,200. It was built in neoclassical style at Piazza Verdi, and summarizes the various architectural trends that have taken place over the past centuries.
San Giovanni degli Eremiti
San Giovanni degli Eremiti (St. John of the Hermits) church is a must-see. It combines Byzantine, Arab and Norman architecture and is a real highlight.
Cathedral of Monreale
The Cathedral of Monreale is one of the most beautiful churches in all of Italy. Its Byzantine mosaics are simply fantastic. In total, the cathedral boasts some 10,000 sq m of wall mosaics, which can be viewed inside.
Palazzo dei Normanni
The Palazzo dei Normanni (Palace of the Normans), or Palazzo Reale, took on its current appearance following the conquest by Roger II in 1130. Before the Normans conquered Palermo, the city was ruled by the Saracens, who built a summer residence for the Emir of Palermo here in the 9th century. The Palazzo dei Normanni now houses the Sicilian Parliament.
Mondello beach
Mondello beach is very close to the city, placed by the Monte Pellegrino. It is so loved by all residents because it offers a fantastic white sandy beach and a crystal-clear water.
Museo Archeologico Regionale Antonino Salinas
The Museo Archeologico Regionale Antonino Salinas (regional archaeological museum) exhibits a collection of archaeological finds from the island’s early history to the late Roman era.
La Zisa
La Zisa, or the Castello della Zisa, is a castle in the western part of Palermo that served as the summer residence for the Norman kings of Sicily. It is situated in the former Parco Nuovo, the part of the royal park on the western side of the city. La Zisa is one of the most well preserved Norman castles in Sicily. It houses the Museum of Islamic Art.
La Vucciria
There are a few large markets in Palermo’s old town, and the largest of these is the Mercato della Vucciria. It was originally a butchers’ market, then the fishermen came along with their stands, and they were followed by the farmers. You’re sure to find bustling activity and pure Italian flair here.
Parco della Favorita
The Parco della Favorita lies at the foot of Monte Pellegrino and is Palermo’s largest park and was created in 1798 by King Ferdinand III. The public park is equipped with tennis courts, football pitches and a horse racetrack. The Botanical Garden was created at the end of the 18th century and currently contains some 12,000 different plant species. Next to the garden is Villa Giulia, a beautiful park with a geometric layout featuring a fountain and a sundial. Very striking is the promenade at the Foro Italico only two steps away from the hotel.