Tag: Palermo
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The Artistry of the Opera dei Pupi
Yesterday, our last official day of our Enchanting Sicily tour, we spent the evening in Palermo seeing the UNESCO recognized Opera dei Pupi at the Argento family’s theater. I’ve become such a fan of this whimsical form of entertainment! When you allow yourself to be a kid, you will be amazed by Orlando’s adventures and…
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Palermo’s Genius at Villa Giulia
Today I spent a glorious day in Palermo, which included a visit to Villa Giulia, a public garden that was commissioned in 1777 (More about that in a future post). In the midst of the park, I was so excited to see this version of The Genius of Palermo, the “Fontana del Genio a Villa…
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Be Inspired Intellectually
Our small-group tours of less than 12 people offer travelers special opportunities to interact with locals–even if they only speak Italian and you only speak English. Between our local, English speaking guides and my cultural interpretation (both literally from the Italian language and conceptually, by discussing Sicilian culture with you through an American lens), we…
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Look for Me on Gelato Way
This weekend in the enchanting Arab-Norman town of Cefalù on Sicily’s north coast, they are celebrating the annual Sicily Food Festival. Experience Sicily’s Evelina Buttitta is there today enjoying live music, cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts (including unique, Sicily-inspired jewlery, my favorite!) and a vast selection of typical street food with her family. The streets…
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September 4 and La Santuzza
Palermo’s patroness, Santa Rosalia, is recognized on September 4, the day she died in 1166, with a solemn pilgrimage to her sanctuary (pictured) at the top of Mount Pellegrino. The facade you see covers the opening to a large cave, where, in 1624, a sleeping hunter had a vision of the little-known, medieval-era saint. In…
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Towering Beauty
The bell tower of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio, affectionately known as “La Martorana,” rises above Palermo’s Piazza Bellini. Over the centuries this beloved church has been architecturally modified many times; however in-keeping with its native charm. It was commissioned in the 1140s by Admiral George of Antioch and originally built in the renowned Arab-Norman style. This…
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Thank The Great Mother
Ferragosto is so closely associated with “mare o monte,” the sea or the mountains–where Italians spend this national holiday–that many forget the origins why they have the day off! August 15 is the Feast of the Assumption, the day Catholics celebrate when the Virgin Mother ascended body and soul into Heaven. This image, “Dormitio Virginis,”…
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Vucciria Market’s New Energy
Last September during our street food tour of Palermo, I spotted this T-shirt while we were in La Vucciria market. It exemplifies how different the market is today than it was years ago (and that I am a geek for anything Palermitano and cannoli-related!). La Vucciria gets its name from an ancient Sicilian word for…
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Viva San Giuseppe in August too!
My cousin Francesca shared this photo with me from earlier tonight, when she was “out on the town,” in Bagheria. This week, the citizens of Bagheria are celebrating the summertime Festa di San Giuseppe. Yes, of course, we celebrate St. Joseph on March 19, but in addition, many towns hold large celebrations in August too,…