Ciao! After lunch, the class set off with Anita (our wonderful tour guide) to many significant places throughout the city of Palermo. Out of the 167 Churches of Palermo, we visited four today.
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| The Fountain of Shame |
We began by observing the “Fountain of Shame,” which acquired its name because it portrays naked figures right outside a previous convent for cloistered nuns. The fountain was built in Florence, but was transferred to Palermo in 1574. In order to make this transfer possible, the fountain was broken down into 644 pieces. The fountain portrays a plethora of mythological figures, including Hercules and Dionysus.
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| The class inside City Hall |
Next, the class entered Palermo City Hall. While sitting inside, Giusto Catanaia, an Italian politician, came and spoke to us. Our tour guide informed us that he was a former member of the Italian Communist Refoundation Party. Catanaia shared that Palermo has made remarkable progress in the last 35 years, and is much safer now than it used to be. Anita later shared the since the Mafia now have less political control in the city, there has been a decrease in corruption.
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| The Four Corners |
We then stopped by the Quattro Canti, or Four Corners. This square from the Spanish period utilizes the baroque style. From bottom to top, each corner has a statue of: a fountain, a woman representing each season, a Spanish King, and a Saint of one of Palermo’s four districts.
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| Outside of the Cathedral of Palermo |
Next, we visited the Cathedral of Palermo. It used to be a large mosque, but after an earthquake it was rebuilt into a cathedral. It honors the most important Saint of Palermo, Saint Rosalia. Legend has it that after her bones were carried through Palermo in 1625, the plague ended in the city.
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Inside the Palatine Chapel
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| Ceiling of the Palatine Chapel |
The class then went to Palatine Chapel, located in the Norman Palace of Palermo. French writer Maupassant called it the most beautiful Church in the world. The Chapel was built after Roger II was crowned. Islamic architecture and design elements were present throughout, as it was largely constructed by Arabs. The ceiling is 800 years old and was made of carved pinewood. This Chapel has a unique layout, as it is the combination of a Latin Basilica with an Eastern Orthodox Church.
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| Mosaic of Roger II being crowned by God (in George of Antioch’s private church) |
We then visited the private church of George of Antioch, the admiral of Roger II. This church was dedicated to Saint Mary, featuring art about her. This church also has a lot of Islamic architecture and design elements, as it was primarily built by Arabs.
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| Church of San Cataldo |
Lastly, we saw the Church of San Cataldo, built in the 12th century CE. This church also features Arab-Norman architecture.
We had a wonderful day exploring the Sicilian capital of Palermo. Addio!
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