Palermo is the regional capital of Sicily, which is the largest and
most heavily populated (about 5,000,000) island in the
Mediterranean.
The area has been under numerous dominators over the centuries,
including Roman, Carthaginian, Byzantine, Greek, Arab, Norman,
Swabian and Spanish masters.
Due to this past, to the cultural
exchange that for millennia has taken place in the area, the city is
still an exotic mixture of many cultures.
Many of the monuments
still exist giving the city somewhat unique appearance.
The city of Palermo, including the province of Palermo, has around
1,300,000 inhabitants and has about 200 Km of coastline.
The old
town of Palermo is one of the largest in Europe, full of references
to the past.
Palermo reflects the diverse history of the region in that the city
contains many masterpieces from different periods, including
Romanesque, gothic, renaissance and baroque architecture as well as
examples of modern art.
The city also hosts it's rich vegetation of palm trees, prickly
pears, bananas, lemon trees and so on.
The abundance of exotic
species was also noticed by the world-famous German writer Goethe
who in April 1787 visited the newly opened botanical gardens,
describing them as "the most beautiful place on earth".
The patron saint of Palermo is Santa Rosalia, who is
still widely venerated.
On the 14th of July, people in Palermo celebrate
the "Festino", which is the most important religious event of the year.
The Festino is a procession in the main street of Palermo to remember
the miracle attributed to Santa Rosalia who, it is believed, freed the
city from the Black Death in 1624.
The cave where the bones of Santa Rosalia were discovered is on Monte
Pellegrino: when her
relics were carried around the city three times, the plague was lifted.
There is a Santuario marking the spot and can be reached via a scenic
bus ride from the city below.
