Location: Tribunali
Top Things to do in Tribunali
Things to do in Palermo, Sicily: The Best Sights & Landmarks
Palermo is an urban melting pot characterized by history and culture so diverse that it often feels conflicted. Discover an intriguing range of architectural styles, from Arabian domes to baroque buildings, and enjoy delicious cuisine that spans a variety of origins. Be sure to visit the Palace of the Normans, the Palatine Chapel and the church of St. John of the Hermits. Art and music lovers won’t want to miss the Galleria d’Arte Moderna (the “GAM”), the Salinas or an opera or ballet at the Teatro Massimo.
Restaurants in Palermo
1. Church of San Cataldo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 978 reviews
This small church of San Cataldo was built in 1160, during the Norman occupation of Palermo.
Reviewed By AndrewC5362 - London, United Kingdom
Although small, this is a building of such historic importance that no traveller to Palermo should miss it. The fabric has been very sensitively restored by the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, whose chapel it is.
2. Fontana della Vergogna (Fontana Pretoria)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,268 reviews
Reviewed By AlexSwallow - Sheffield, United Kingdom
Loved this amazing fountain, the animal sculptures were particularly interesting. It is great that you can walk right up and over it- and as it is so central in the city it is very easy to get there as a tourist or regularly walk past it if you live there. The square it is situated in, is just by the Four Corners and there are lots of beautiful churches very close.
3. Madonna Annunciate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
The sculpture of the Madonna Annunciate is representative of the Renaissance period.
4. Affresco del Trionfo della morte
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 324 reviews
Located in Palermo's Regional Art Gallery, the well-known "Triumph of Death" fresco dates from the fifteenth century, but the artist is unknown.
5. Palazzo Steri - Chiaramonte - Carcere dei penitenziati
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 716 reviews
Reviewed By nelliebly722018 - Sicily, Italy
Guided tour, some given in English, of the Palazzo of one if the most important families in Sicily as well as graffiti by prisoners held there afterwards when it was used as a prison by the Spanish Inquisition. The tour is very informative - great way to learn more about the very layered history of Palermo - originally the center when it was an active Arab trading port, a ruling family’s palazzo with a private chapel, then repurposed as a prison. Restoration design was started/planned by Carlo Scarpa and completed by others after his death.
6. Church of San Francesco of Assisi -Chiesa di San Francesco d'Assisi
7. Oratorio di San Lorenzo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 583 reviews
Reviewed By Mairwen1
This is a tiny but stunning chapel to the left of St Francis’ church. I might have overlooked it but I was intrigued by the story of the stolen Carravaggio painting that was taken from the altar of the small chapel one night in 1969. Listed on the FBI’s list Top 10 Art Crimes, the nativity scene is the most valuable still-missing work of art in the world. Who stole it remains a mystery and it’s never been recovered. To add to the poignancy, it was one of the last paintings Carravaggio did. A year after completing it, he had died in unknown circumstances at just 38 years old. A life-size copy hangs in its place instead. Although it was the art-heist story that drew me in initially, the oratory really was very beautiful. Splashes of gold around the altar highlight the pure white of the rest of the oratory. The interior is entirely covered with snowy white stucco ‘putti’ (cherubs) and scenes from the lives of St Frances and St Lawrence. I’ve heard it called the cave of white coral. It really does look a lot like that. It is only small (just the one room) but the decoration is so detailed that we spent some time there. The cherubs are a playful tangle of chubby limbs and baby wings and are just gorgeous. It struck me that it would be impossible to concentrate on prayer and not be distracted by these fanciful, lively creatures. Other details include the exquisitely detailed mahogany pews, patterned with mother-of-pearl and ivory and the gruesome scene of St Lawrence who was painfully and slowly martyred by being tied to an iron grill over a fire of coals. In a brilliant display of bravado, he is supposed to have said before dying, “I am well done. Turn me over”. TIP - the ‘Circuito del Sacro’ ticket gives you a discount off the entry price for this and a dozen or so other churches. Just ask for it at the first church you visit.
8. Palazzo Mirto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 587 reviews
Reviewed By ClaudLondon - London, United Kingdom
I loved this Palazzo. The visit is like travelling back in time and see how the aristocracy used to live 250 years ago in Europe. Silk wall coverings to every room, fine furniture, murano crystal chandeliers, precious finishes, exotic porcelains...A mix of rococò, neoclassic and Empire styles. They even have period carriages on display on the ground floor. The visit is self guided. The visitors are supplied with a guide translated in many languages and the staff is very kind. Ticket is as cheap as €6. Would recommend it!!
9. Chiesa di Santa Maria dello Spasimo
10. Palazzo Butera
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Palazzo Butera, bought by Francesca and Massimo Valsecchi in 2016 with the aim of creating a versatile center for arts and culture in Palermo, starts a first phase of contact with the city. Cantiere Aperto – which means literally “open building site” – is an initiative that allows the public to visit the area where the renovation works are being completed. The palace is an open laboratory, drawing together history, arts and culture in an interdisciplinary exercise aimed at finding solutions for social development. Open to the city of Palermo and the world beyond, the ground floor will offer a reference library and many galleries for temporary exhibitions from both home and abroad. The first floor contains conference and events rooms. The second floor will accommodate a museum, displaying the Valsecchi art collection. Today most of the renovation has been completed. Only the second floor is still under restoration, but it will be completed in a few months.
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