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Sicily

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, is just off the "toe" of Italy's "boot." Its rich history separated by the Stretto di Messina, (Straight of Messina) 2 1/2 miles wide from mainland Italy. May 7, 2019 I flew from San Diego to New York City to Rome to Palermo to begin a 2 week adventure getting to know Sicily. The island offers the full package of Italian travel experiences: evocative towns, compelling art, impressive architecture, ruins older than anything in Rome, and the most active volcano in Europe Mount Etna.

The Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele is an opera house and opera company located on the Piazza Verdi in Palermo, Sicily. It was dedicated to King Victor Emanuel II.

Most everything you want to see is within walking distance of the Quattro Canti, where the Via Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda meet.

It has not always been like this in Palermo. The very fact that we were able to stroll through the city center is evidence of a sea change, a revival driven by steady but hard-won victories against organized crime and a refreshed urban landscape. What, a decade or so ago, would have been a hair-raising walk on a series of narrow, potholed footpaths amid roaring traffic and fumes is today a pleasant, pedestrianized amble, with many main streets now home to restored old buildings and intriguing new restaurants.

The Cuticchios are a notorious family of “pupari” in Palermo, keeping alive the tradition of Sicilian puppetry with love and artistic endurance.

Walking down the narrow alleys is the life blood of the old city.

Bicycle hung on the residential building for decoration.

Strolling down narrow alleys in the old town you never know what you might discover.

Pride of ownership in a single window in a large apartment building

Palermo’s Via Orologio, part of the recently pedestrianized centro storico; restaurant tables lining the streets in the evenings.

Around every corner a surprise awaits you just when you least expect it.

Strolling down this narrow alley in the day time you would never know that in the evenings some of the best restaurants in this area on on this walk alley. All have many tables and chairs set up outside in the walking areas under lights and the evening stars.

In the late sixteenth century the opening of the street was decided. It was conceived as an axis destined to cross the most ancient road of Palermo, the millennial Cassaro. The creation of the street addressed the need of a more sliding traffic and the requests of the nobility, eager to have new spaces for its buildings. The work was designed in 1577 and completed in 1599, during the period of the Viceroy Maqueda. On 24 July 1600 the street was inaugurated.. Today it is a walking street full of pedistrians during the day and packed in the evenings in good weather.

The street besides pedestrians has a bicycle path. As you can see it is very difficult not be run over when walking. On both sides of the street are many small cafes that sell the famous Deep Friend Rice Balls, a favorite in Sicily.

The Praetorian Fountain is a monumental fountain of Palermo. It is located in the heart of the historic center and represents the most important landmark of Piazza Pretoria. The fountain was built by Francesco Camilliani in the city of Florence in 1554, but was transferred to Palermo in 1574. The building behind was a convent and the building to the right City Hall.

Many of the statues are nude. Between 18th century and 19th century, the fountain was considered a sort of depiction of the corrupt municipality of Palermo. For this reason and because of the nudity of the statues, the square became known as "Piazza della Vergogna" (Square of Shame) and Fountain of Shame ..

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