A tour based on the cultural and artistic beauties of the city, added by Unesco in The World Heritage List.
The Arab and Norman Tour, characterized by the golden decorations, shows how Palermo was in the 12th century; a melting pot of cultures, that is reflected in the arab architecture and the byzantine mosaics of churches and palaces. The tour starts from the city centre towards the Quattro Canti Square, the heart of the old town. Next stop will be the “The Fountain of Shame”, Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio Church, with its shining golden ceiling and San Cataldo with its red domes. Then you will have a break inside the pastry shop of Santa Caterina’s Monastery, where you will taste different local desserts prepared with the old monastic recepies. Next you will head to the Cathedral and finally you will continue to The Royal Palace where is housed the gem of this tour, the Palatine Chapel. It displays the best preserved byzantine mosaics, dedicated to the Old and New Testament, the marble floor with geometrical decorations and the unique and authentic arabic wooden cealing.
Departure 9:30 am from Politeama Hotel
The tour will end at Villa Bonanno
Duration: 4 hours
Call us at +39 091 322777 or send us an email at mail@hotelpoliteama.it
Monreale is a small village 30 minutes far from Palermo. It stands out 310 metres above the sea level and it’s a magic place where to admire Palermo’s panorama. The jewelries of the village are the Cathedral and the Benedictine Cloister, both built in the 12th century and added by Unesco in The World Heritage List.
Have you ever seen 6400 metres square covered by golden mosaics? This is the reason why you cannot miss it. The mosaics, decorated by bizantine artists, tell the stories of the Bible from Genesis to Jesus’s Crucifixion. It’s also possible to climb up to the roof of the Cathedral if you want to enjoy the view and to discover some details of the complex (optional).
Later you will visit the Benedictine Cloister, where there are 228 pair of columns with all different capitals. A magic place where it is possible to feel the intense spirituality of past centuries.
At the end of the tour you will taste Monreale’s products in an ancient bakery.
Departure 9:30 am from Hotel Politeama
Pick up and back to the Hotel
Duration about 4 hours
Call us at +39 091322777 or send us an email at mail@hotelpoliteama.it
A walking tour with a local person that in an informal, friendly and authentic way helps you to discover the hidden and real aspects of the city.
The tour starts from the city centre and includes the stop in front of the third most important Opera House of Europe, Massimo Theatre.
You will then walk towards Capo Market, where it is also possible to taste the local street food such as arancina, panelle and crocchè. Palermo is in the fifth position in the world for street food. The market is also a way to take a look of the real and daily life.
Next stop will be two districts near the waterfront of the town, La Loggia and the ancient arab quarter of Kalsa. Both are full of history and charme thanks to the presence of artisans. You will visit one oratory sculpted by the artist Giacomo Serpotta, a testimonial of the local baroque.
Last stop will be Piazza Marina, location of different stories connected to the ancient traditions, witchcraft, spanish Holy Inquisition and to the murder of the famous Italian American police man Joe Petrosino.
Departure 9:30 am from Hotel Politeama
The tour will end in Piazza Marina
Duration: 4 hours
Call us at +39 091322777 or send us an email at mail@hotelpoliteama.it
