Erasmus courses for teachers in Palermo, Sicily

​Palermo Cathedral was built by Sicily’s Norman rulers towards the end of the 12th century, on the site of a Byzantine church that served also as a mosque. You can spot the Arabic origins in the far-left column of the portico. Like many structures, it grew and changed many times over the centuries, resulting in a beautiful cathedral that combines many architectural styles.

Sicily has spent many centuries at the crossroads of power, and that is certainly evident in its palace: the Palazzo dei Normanni is built over an Arab palace, served as the seat of the Norman Kings of the Kingdom of Sicily beginning in the 11th century, and has been used by many others since–including the Sicilian Regional Assembly. Today, visitors mostly come to see the stunning Cappella Palatina with its UNESCO-listed mosaics, though other parts of the palace are sometimes open to visitors as well.

Originally built in Florence in the 16th century before being bought and moved to Palermo just a few decades later, Pretoria Fountain is a beautiful and impressive fountain that dominates the Piazza Pretoria it calls home. Though the fountain is considered beautiful now, Piazza Pretoria was once known as the Square of Shame due to the nude statues that adorn the intricate fountain.

​Set overlooking the Piazza Bellini, this beautiful church is an obvious example of just how many cultures have influenced Sicily over the centuries. Islamic influences are obvious on the exterior of the church, and touches of Byzantine, Romanesque, and Baroque architecture are clear as well. The most beautiful treasure of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio is the majestic mosaic decorations, made by Byzantine artists around 1151.

Il Massimo Vittorio Emanuele Theater is one of the main symbols of Palermo, representing one of the most important historical buildings in the Historic center of the city. It is a nineteenth-century structure built with particular attention to detail, to give it greater prestige.

If you visit Palermo, you cannot miss its beautiful beaches that rise along the Palermo coast. The crystalline blue coast of Mondello, the golden beach of Isola delle Femmine, the rocky coast in the natural reserve of Capo Gallo (with all its colorful fishes), are just some of the jewels that you can explore in Palermo. So, what are you waiting for in diving into the relaxing Sicilian sea?

The most famous intersection in Palermo, Quattro Canti is situated at the crossing of Palermo’s two main streets. Each of the four sections each represent one of the four seasons, one of the four Spanish kings of Sicily, and one of the patronesses of Palermo.

Cannoli are possibly Sicily’s most famous export and arguably one of the most delicious Sicilian foods: the crunchy pastry shell is deep-fried and then stuffed with ricotta cheese and is an incredibly delicious treat. Cassata is another ubiquitous Sicilian dessert. Made from a sponge cake soaked in liqueur or fruit juice, the cake is then layered with ricotta and topped with marzipan. If you want to taste these delicious traditional desserts and many others, you should go to Pasticceria Costa and forgot your diet for a day. 

Food is such an important cultural component to the region, and the markets are an excellent place to get a taste of it. Ballaro and Vucciria, in fact, are not only markets, but also places where you can sit in one of the many places that offer the wonderful specialties of Palermo cuisine, to which are added the exceptional flavors of the Street Food local. The largest food market in Palermo, Ballaro is a place of sensory overload: sights, smells, and sounds all combine to make the Ballaro market a distinct and unforgettable place to visit in Palermo. Vucciria market is made up of small streets that intertwine with each other forming a dense network of connections. ​

When you visit Palermo you cannot miss the typical Sicilian street food, a mix of various cultures and flavours. The Antica Focacceria San Francesco, since 1834, gives you the chance to enjoy the traditional gastronomic culture of Sicilian food, with its perfumes and tasty savor, being pleased with the view of the The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, in the ancient arabic quarter of Palermo named “La Kalsa”. Some of the most typical dishes that you can taste in the Focacciera are “pani ca’meusa”, arancine, panelle, and much more. What are you waiting for to take a bite of Sicily?