A Travelogue About Palermo on the island of Sicily in Italy.

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Did Palermo fascinate us, what would we not recommend to visit there and which place is right for you if you are looking for a real sinister experience? - read this and more interesting information in the current travelogue about Palermo and the island of Sicily, part of the series of travelogues “С деца на Лазурния бряг + Средиземноморски круиз + Амалфийско крайбрежие“.

SEE THE ITINERARY, SCHEDULE, AND COSTS FOR THE ENTIRE TRIP HERE.

TO THE PREVIOUS TRAVELOGUE IN THIS SERIES: HERE

The next stop on our cruise trip was the city of Palermo on the island of Sicily, Italy. For several years, I kept looking at the cheap plane tickets to Sicily, which were located all year round (even in the summer holiday period). Even during the preliminary search for information on the Internet about interesting sights in the city and the area, I never found anything.

Palermo is the main city and capital of the island of Sicily. It was founded in the 8th century BC. From the Phoenicians, but subsequently different cultures have left their mark on the architecture of the city, and nowadays elements of Arab and Byzantine influences, Gothic and Baroque can be seen.

Palermo - Sights and Impressions

The cruise terminal is within walking distance to the city centre. First we headed to the museum of puppets. Firstly, that we had a hard time finding the entrance to the museum, and secondly, that it was somehow super unsettled inside. The museum was located in an ancient 3-story building, and since there were no directions, maps or arrows, we were constantly wondering where to go. There was no one to ask about anything. Unfortunately, to a great extent, the puppets literally had a sinister appearance and we quickly left. We definitely do not recommend a visit to the Palermo puppet museum.

Наблизо се намираше парк Giardino Garibaldi, където се намираха 150-годишни фикуси, които изглеждаха наистина впечатляващо. Минахме край бароковото кръстовище „Куатро Канти“ (Quattro Canti) или „Четирите ъгъла“, където във всеки ъгъл на кръстовището могат да се видят уникални сгради, украсени със статуи и пищни колони. Последва фонтан Претория на едноименния площад, известен още като “фонтана на срама” поради поставените множество голи статуи около фонтана. И точно там, в другия край на площада се намираше католическа църква. Без думи! Кеф ти голота, кеф ти молитва!

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A strange and eerie museum in Palermo of the nth degree is The Museum of the Dead (Catacombs of the Capuchins), which of course we didn't visit because we were with children. Over 8,000 mummified skeletons of former residents of Palermo are stored there. Instead, we entered No Mafia Memorial. Admission is free for a voluntary donation. It was an ordinary building where volunteers had hung on the walls various photos of famous mobsters, their personal stories and interesting facts about the mafia on the island of Sicily.

–> Browse and book a budget hotel on the island of Sicily at a discount. See here!

Катедралата на Палермо “Успение Богородично” заедно с паркът отпред, където се намира статуята на Св. Розалия, изгледат прилично и мисля, че всеки, който се е запътил към тази част на Италия, е добре да отдели време да ги посети. Има възможност посетителите да се качат на част от покрива в търсене на панорамна гледка.

On the way back to the ship, we passed through the open Fish Market Vucciria. Shocking smell, disgusting sight, imaginary hygiene.

Palermo definitely disappointed me a lot with the dirt on the streets and the impossibility of pedestrians moving on the sidewalk, because he was busy with tables and chairs adjacent to the nearby cafe. Also, the souvenirs that were sold in each store had images of pagan goddesses and symbols - they were not cups, bags, key chains, magnets, cards, etc. It is strange that I have not noticed so much paganism in such a small territory as in Sicily!

–> Browse and book a budget hotel on the island of Sicily at a discount. See here!

Final Preparations

We took last family photos with the ship outside, then started preparing to pack up. As with any cruise trip, it was necessary to leave our heavy suitcases and bags in front of the cabin door until 24:00 in the evening so that they could also be picked up and transported to the ship's luggage compartment, and then to The cruise terminal at the next port where we would get off the ship for good.

Also on the last night of our stay at the MSC Grandiosa, we went to the Information Desk to redeem the account accumulated in our ship cards. We could keep track of our account on the TV in the cabin, and the payment could be made not only on information, but also on one of the many interactive displays located all over the ship.