A few years ago I was left with a few extra days in Sicily due to a break in travel arrangements. Two cities that I decided I must see with the extra time were Corleone and Palermo. I still laugh at how all the roads (on which I drove) in Sicily were marked by potholes and bumps- except for the one that ran through the mountains on the way to Corleone. Maybe Michael had something to do with that.
I didn't have much time in either place, but I did make it a point, while in Palermo, to see the city's famous Cathedral. Built in 1185 and was truly impressive, both the outer architecture and the inner artwork. You could spend hours just walking around the outside of the Cathedral admiring the detailed sculpting that went into creating such a marvel of a building.
On the eery side, I decided to descend into the crypt located below the Cathedral. Buried in the crypt (according to Wikipedia) include archbishops Walter Ophamil, the church's founder, and Giovanni Paternò, patron of Antonello Gagini who sculpted the image on his tomb. I did snap a few photos inside the crypt, but I also remember feeling like somebody was watching me. There were interesting tunnels down there that were barricaded by metal gates, I have no idea what that was all about, but it wasn't someplace that I looked to explore any further. After a short time in the crypt, VFC was ready to move topside again.
Not that I was scared, but I get supersticious when it comes to disturbing the peace and tranquility of the deceased.
Palermo is an impressive city with breathtaking architecture never too far away- on street corners, churches, Palaces and Government buildings that seem to pop up everywhere.
Of course, I was not going to leave the city without endulging in my favorite past time- eating Italian food. Palermo has plenty to offer in that department.
Nearly 3,000 years old, Palermo is a city rich in history, demonstrated by the plethora of Palaces, Churches, Museums and monuments that each pay tribute to the long and storied past of the city.
If you travel to Sicily, Palermo is a must, and it is also a great staging point for moving around the island.
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