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Awaiting Your Return From Shore |
Today, visitors still enjoy seeing the legacy
of Palermo's rich past. Great Arab-Norman buildings include the Cappella
Palatina, La Martorana, San Giovanni degli Eremiti and, a few miles outside
the city, the Cathedral of Monreale. The bustling streets and animated
markets can be easily explored on foot. The Quattro Canti (Four Corners) is
the monumental crossroads laid out in 1608-20 at the central intersection of
the four longest and straightest streets.
Most sights are along three major streets: Corso Vittorio Emanuele,
Via Maqueda, and Via Roma.
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Pier Information. The ship is scheduled to
dock at Palermo. It is about 10 minutes to town. Taxis are at the pier.
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Shopping. Antique marionettes, traditional
Sicilian puppets, and ceramics in modern décor reflecting the style of
Picasso are some of the most popular buys. The Vucciria outdoor market,
flea markets, and antique shops behind the Duomo are good places to
start looking. Shops close for lunch. |
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Cuisine. Sicilian and international dishes,
with an emphasis on seafood, can be found in a wide range of
restaurants, from top-quality to the very informal. For lovers of rustic
eateries, Vucciria is the place. Stalls around the neighborhood sell
everything from calzoni (deep-fried meat- or cheese-filled pockets) to
panelle (chickpea-flour fritters). |
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Other Sights
Porta Nuova. At the beginning of Corso Vittorio Emanuele
stands an impressive monument with a majolica-tiled pinnacle and the
enormous busts of four Moors.
La Martorana. On Piazza Bellini, the church is known for
its fine Byzantine mosaics dating from the 12th century.
Cathedral Treasury. On display here is the crown of
Constance of Aragon, made by local craftsmen in the 12th century and
found in her tomb.
Church of St. John of the Hermits. The church was built in
1132. With its five tall, red domes, the building is entirely Arabic in
appearance.
Norman Palace. Standing on the highest point of the old
city, the palace has always housed the rulers of the Sicily. Since 1947,
the palace has been the Regional Assembly. |
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Awaiting Your Return
From Shore |
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Complimentary
Spirits Await |
Return to Your
Suite and Sail Away to The Next Adventure |
Entertainment
and Dancing Await You |
