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May 15, 2019 - Tour of Palermo

Today we explored Palermo beginning with the Cathedral,

then the Ballaro Market, the Quattro Canti and many fountains.

ABOVE LEFT - One of the four corners of Quattro Canti. This intersection

divides the city into four major historical neighborhoods.

ABOVE MIDDLE  - The female statues on each corner represent one of the four seasons

ABOVE RIGHT - Four patron saints of Palermo are also represented

on the four corners and the lower level of each corner has a fountain.

ABOVE LEFT - Officially named Piazza Vigliena, the intersection's four concave

corner facades create an example of Sicilian delight in Baroque architecture.

ABOVE MIDDLE - The elegant lamposts that ring the square have a face with three legs

surrounding it. This is the symbol of Sicily, the Trinacria, which has represented

the island for more than 3000 years and is the symbol on their flag.

ABOVE RIGHT - This young maiden represents Spring and holds asparagus and pomegranates.

ABOVE LEFT - The Palermo Cathedral (Cattedrale Metropolitna della Santa Vergine

Maria Assunta) .

ABOVE MIDDLE - Begun in 1168, the underfunded Cathedral construction limped along

 for centuries. It was meant to imtimidate the new young king, William II, but he diverted funds

to build the magnificent and even more grandiose cathedral of Monreale in the nearby hills.

ABOVE RIGHT - The exterior of inlaid lava and ornamental

Islamic motifs is largely original from the 12th century.

ABOVE LEFT - The Palermo Cathedral is characterized by its many different

architectural styles, a feast of geometric patterns, ziggurat crenulations,

maiolica cupolas, and blind arches.

ABOVE MIDDLE  - Here we are on the roof of the Cathedral.

ABOVE RIGHT - A great way to see the city and surrounding mountains.

ABOVE LEFT - We thoroughly enjoyed the roof tour of the Cathedral.

ABOVE MIDDLE - Looking out at the mountains surroundung Palermo.

ABOVE RIGHT - Fortunately the sun came out for the short time we were on the roof.

ABOVE LEFT - These beautiful tiled domes are skylights for the church.

ABOVE MIDDLE - Interior of the Cathedral. The Neoclassical interior is rather drab,

with somber Baroque side chapels but it is full of beautiful paintings,

gold and silver ornaments and marble floors.

ABOVE RIGHT - Fresco above the altar

ABOVE LEFT - Two of the numerous side altars. The massive silver altar houses the

bones of Palermo's patron saint, Santa Rosalia. She has delivered miracles

to the people of Palermo since ending the plague in 1624.

ABOVE MIDDLE  - Small portion of the marble floor. This coat-of-arms is that of King Federico II

ABOVE RIGHT - Marble carving on wall of the silver altar

ABOVE LEFT - Scale mode of the Palermo Cathedral

ABOVE MIDDLE - All over Sicily we have run into school kids at various churches

and museums. Different schools have different color hats. So cute!

ABOVE RIGHT - At the center of this piazza is the Fontana Pretoria, better known as the

"Fountain of Shame". This nickname comes from the nude figures - considered quite racy

in conservative Sicily. While fountains like this may seem "typically Italian", they are

actually quite rare in Sicily. The Renaissance never really took hold in Sicily, and this is

one of the few Renaissance works in the city. The fountain, made of Carrara marble,

was crafted in 1555 for a Tuscan villa. It was broken down into 640 pieces,

shipped to Palermo and rebuilt as a gift .

ABOVE LEFT - The Fountain of Shame

ABOVE MIDDLE  - At the Ballaro Market, the city's oldest and largest

which wound through the many streets and alleys

ABOVE RIGHT - This market was huge - certainly more than a mile long - with fruits,

vegetables, fish, meat, clothing, etc, etc. And vendors were all

trying to out-shout each other for customers' attention.

ABOVE LEFT - Rob and Wendy with our chef, Fulvio. He hosts meals in his home

for tourists and is part of an international group called "Eatwith".

ABOVE MIDDLE - Fulvio's main course was fresh made Pasta alla Norma

ABOVE RIGHT - Yum! This is tiramisu?!! It was nice enjoying a meal in Fulvio's home.