Palermo
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2008-07-15T16:56:13Z
Tennisetviola
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{{coor title dms|38|07|00|N|13|22|00|E|type:city(670,000)_region:IT-PA}}
{{Infobox Settlement
|official_name = Palermo
|established_title = Founded
|established_date = 734 BC
|nickname =
|motto =
|website = http://www.comune.palermo.it
|image_skyline = Palermo02 flickr.jpg
|image_flag = Flag of Palermo.png
|image_seal = Palermo stemma.png
|seal_size = 100px
|image_map = Map of Palermo.png
|map_caption = Location of the city of Palermo (red dot) within Italy.
|mapsize = 215px
|subdivision_type = [[Regions of Italy|Region]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of Italy|Province]]
|subdivision_name = [[Sicily]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Province of Palermo]]
|leader_title = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name = [[Diego Cammarata]]
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_sq_mi =
|area_total_km2 = 158
|population_footnotes =
|population_as_of = January 2006
|population_total = 675,018 ([[Largest 100 Cities of Italy by Population|5<sup>th</sup>]])
|population_urban =
|area_urban_km2 =
|area_urban_sq_mi =
|population_metro = 1241241
|population_density_km2 = 4275
|population_density_sq_mi =
|timezone = [[Central European Time|CET]]
|utc_offset = +1
|timezone_DST = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
|utc_offset_DST = +2
|latd=38 |latm=07 |lats= |latNS=N |longd=13 |longm=22 |longs= |longEW=E
|elevation_m =
|elevation_ft =
|postal_code_type = Postal codes
|postal_code = 90100
|area_code = 091
|blank_name = Patron saints
|blank_info = [[Saint Rosalia]]
|footnotes =
}}
'''Palermo''' ([[Sicilian language|Sicilian]]: '''''Palermu''''', [[Greek language|Greek]]: '''''Panormus''''') is a historic [[city]] in [[southern Italy|southern]] [[Italy]], the [[capital]] of the autonomous region [[Sicily]] and the [[province of Palermo]]. The city is noted for its rich history, [[culture]], [[architecture]] and [[gastronomy]], playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old. Palermo is located in the north-west of the island of Sicily, right by the Gulf of Palermo in the [[Tyrrhenian Sea]].
The city was founded by the [[Phoenicia]]ns, but named by the [[Ancient Greeks]] as ''Panormus'' meaning ''all port''. Palermo became part of the [[Roman Republic]] and eventually part of the [[Byzantine Empire]], for over a thousand years. For a brief period it was under [[Caliphate|Arab]] rule where it first became a capital. Following the [[Norman conquest of southern Italy|Norman reconquest]], Palermo would become capital of a new kingdom from 1130 to 1816 the [[Kingdom of Sicily]]. Eventually it would be united with the [[Kingdom of Naples]] to form the [[Two Sicilies]] until the [[Italian unification]] of 1860.
The [[Largest European metropolitan areas|metropolitan area]] of Palermo is the fifth most populated in [[Italy]] and in the top eighty of the largest in all of [[Europe]] with around 1.2 million people. In the central area, the city itself has a population of around 670 thousand people, the inhabitants are known as ''Palermitans'' or poetically ''panormiti'', the language spoke by its inhabitants is the [[Sicilian language]].
The religion of [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholicism]] is highly important in Palermitan culture, the [[patron saint]] of the city is [[Saint Rosalia]], her feast day on [[July 15]] is perhaps the biggest social event in the city. The area attracts significant amounts of [[tourists]] each year and is widely known for its colourful fruit, vegetable and fish [[market]] at the heart of Palermo known as the ''Vucciria''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/05/20/travel/20journeys.html|publisher=NYTimes.com|title=In Palermo, Life Vibrates in a Fading Market|date=[[8 January]] [[2008]]}}</ref>
==History==
{{Main|History of Palermo}}
===Antiquity===
{{main|Magna Graecia|Carthage|Ancient Rome}}
[[Image:Grotta dell'Addaura.jpg|thumb|left|105px|Ancient [[Sicani]] [[cave art]] at Addaura.]]
Evidence for human settlement in the area now known as Palermo goes back to the [[Pleistocene Epoch]], around 8000 BC.<ref name="sicanian">{{cite news|url=http://www.bestofsicily.com/mag/art141.htm|publisher=Best of Sicily|title=Sicilian Peoples: The Sicanians|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> This evidence is present in the form of cave drawings at nearby Addaura crafted by the [[Sicani]], who according to [[Thucydides]] arrived from the [[Iberian Peninsula]] (perhaps [[Catalonia]]).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Sicily_-_History/id/5462681|publisher=Experience Festival|title=Sicily: Encyclopedia II - Sicily - History|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=A7kGAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA11&lpg=PA11&dq=segre+sicano&source=web&ots=nafG4zc6s6&sig=x-ViYce3dJazDQqY72a3_4RHjVc|publisher=Ensayo historico|title=Aapologetico de la literatura española contra los opiniones|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> During 734 BC the [[Phoenicians]], a sea trading peoples from the north of ancient [[Canaan]] built a small settlement on the natural habour of Palermo, some sources suggest they named the settlement ''Zîz''.<ref name="it">{{cite news|url=http://www.italytravelescape.com/history-of-palermo.htm|publisher=ItalyTravelEscape.com|title=History of Palermo|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> The [[Greeks]] who were the most dominant culture on the island of [[Sicily]], due to the powerful city state of [[Syracuse, Sicily|Syracuse]] to the east, instead called the settlement ''Panormus''. Its Greek name means "all-port" and it was named as so because of its fine natural harbour.<ref name="it">{{cite news|url=http://www.italytravelescape.com/history-of-palermo.htm|publisher=ItalyTravelEscape.com|title=History of Palermo|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> Palermo was then passed on to the Phoenician's descendants and successors, in the form of the [[Carthaginians]].<ref name="bos">{{cite news|url=http://www.bestofsicily.com/palermo.htm#Palermo%20history|publisher=BestofSicily.com|title=Destiny of a King's Capital|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref>
[[Image:Pyrrhus.jpg|thumb|120px|right|[[Pyrrhus of Epirus]].]]
During this period it was a centre of [[commerce]]; however a power struggle between the Greeks and the Carthaginians broke out in the form of the [[Sicilian Wars]], causing unrest. It was from Palermo that [[Hamilcar Barca|Hamilcar]]'s fleet which was defeated at the [[Battle of Himera (480 BC)|Battle of Himera]] was launched.<ref name="bos">{{cite news|url=http://www.bestofsicily.com/palermo.htm#Palermo%20history|publisher=BestofSicily.com|title=Destiny of a King's Capital|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> Palermo eventually became a [[Greek colony]] when [[Pyrrhus of Epirus]] gained it during the [[Pyrrhic War]] period in 276 BC.<ref name="bio">{{cite news|url=http://www.bio.vu.nl/home/vwielink/WWW_MGC/Area_III_map/Panormos_map/InfoPanormos.html|publisher=Bio.vu.nl|title=Panormos Info|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> However as the [[Romans]] flooded into Sicily during the [[First Punic War]], the city became under [[Roman Republic|Roman rule]] only three decades later. The Romans made sure that, in the words of [[Roman consul]] M. Valerian to the [[Roman Senate]]; "no Carthaginian remains in Sicily".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.10000bc.tv/|publisher=10000BC.tv|title=Sensational Sicily|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> This period was quite a calm time for Palermo, which was growing into an important Roman trade centre, also during this period [[Christianity]] first began to be practiced in Palermo.<ref name="bio">{{cite news|url=http://www.bio.vu.nl/home/vwielink/WWW_MGC/Area_III_map/Panormos_map/InfoPanormos.html|publisher=Bio.vu.nl|title=Panormos Info|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref><ref name="earlymediev">{{cite news|url=http://www.bestofsicily.com/history2.htm|publisher=BestofSicily.com|title=Early & Medieval History|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref>
===The Middle Ages===
{{main|Byzantine Emperor|Emirate of Sicily|Kingdom of Sicily}}
[[Image:Meister von San Vitale in Ravenna 004.jpg|thumb|left|130px|[[Byzantine Emperor]]— [[Justinian I]] relived Palermo.]]
As the [[Roman Empire]] was falling apart, Palermo fell under the control of several [[Germanic peoples|Germanic tribes]]; first were the [[Vandals]] in 440 AD under the rule of their king [[Geiseric]]. The Vandals had already invaded other parts of western Europe establishing themselves as a significant force.<ref name="jpriv">{{cite book | last = Privitera | first = Joseph | title =Sicily: An Illustrated History | publisher =Hippocrene Books | url =http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0781809096/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top | isbn = 978-0781809092}}</ref> However, they soon lost these newly acquired possessions to another [[East Germanic tribes|East Germanic tribe]] in the form of the [[Goths]].<ref name="jpriv">{{cite book | last = Privitera | first = Joseph | title =Sicily: An Illustrated History | publisher =Hippocrene Books | url =http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0781809096/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top | isbn = 978-0781809092}}</ref> The [[Ostrogoths|Ostrogothic]] conquest under [[Theodoric the Great]] began in 488; although the Goths were Germanic, Theodoric sought to revive [[Roman culture]] and government instead.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9026834/Theodoric#949802.hook|publisher=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]|title=Theodoric|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> The [[Gothic War (535–554)|Gothic War]] took place between the Ostrogoths and the Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the [[Byzantine Empire]]. Sicily was the first part of Italy to be taken under general [[Belisarius]] who was commissioned by [[Eastern Emperor]] [[Justinian I]] who solidified his rule in the following years.<ref>{{cite book | last = Hearder | first = Harry | title =Italy: A Short History | publisher =Cambridge University Press | url =http://www.history.ac.uk/reviews/paper/FootJohn2.html | isbn = 978-0521337199}}</ref><ref name="byz">{{cite news|url=http://www.helleniccomserve.com/palermo.html|publisher=HellenicComserve.com|title=The Greek and Byzantine Roots of Palermo|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref>
[[Image:Palermo-San-Giovanni-bjs-2.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[San Giovanni degli Eremiti]], red domes showing elements of Arab architecture.]]
After the Byzantines were betrayed by admiral [[Euphemius (Sicily)|Euphemius]], who fled to [[Tunisia]] and begged the [[Aghlabid]] leader [[Ziyadat Allah I of Aghlabids|Ziyadat Allah]] to help him there was a [[Muslim]] conquest of Sicily, putting in place the [[Emirate of Sicily]].<ref name="stan">{{cite news|url=http://archaeology.stanford.edu/MountPolizzo/handbookPDF/MPHandbook5.pdf|publisher=Archaeology.Stanford.edu|title=Brief history of Sicily|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> The Arab rulers allowed the natives [[freedom of religion]] on the condition that they paid [[jizya|a tax]]. Although their rule was short in time, it was then that Palermo displaced Syracuse as the prime city of Sicily; it was said to have competed with [[Córdoba, Spain|Córdoba]] and [[Cairo]] in terms of importance and splendor.<ref>{{cite book | last = Of Italy | first =Touring Club | title =Authentic Sicily | publisher =Touring Editore | url =http://books.google.com/books?id=E7BYFRh5b7oC&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=%22Palermo%22+%22Cordoba%22+splendor&source=web&ots=eI0xW2I2g2&sig=plGhTLsqNCP7QsrOaOMOBB3KthU&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=3&ct=result | isbn = 8836534031}}</ref> The Arabs also introduced many [[agricultural]] items which remain a mainstay of [[Sicilian cuisine]].<ref name="jpriv">{{cite book | last = Privitera | first = Joseph | title =Sicily: An Illustrated History | publisher =Hippocrene Books | url =http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0781809096/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top | isbn = 978-0781809092}}</ref> After dynasty related quarrels however, there was a [[Norman conquest of southern Italy|Christian reconquest]] in the form of the [[Normans]] from the [[Duchy of Normandy]], descendants of the [[Vikings]].<ref name="stan">{{cite news|url=http://archaeology.stanford.edu/MountPolizzo/handbookPDF/MPHandbook5.pdf|publisher=Archaeology.Stanford.edu|title=Brief history of Sicily|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref>
[[Image:Chapelle Palatine.jpg|thumb|left|140px|Normano-Byzantine decorated [[Cappella Palatina]].]]
Palermo was back under Christian rule by 1072 thanks to [[Robert Guiscard]] of the [[House of Hauteville]]. It was under [[Roger II of Sicily]] that his holdings of Sicily and the southern part of the [[Italian Peninsula]] were promoted into the [[Kingdom of Sicily]]; the kingdom was ruled from Palermo as its capital, with the king's court held at [[Palazzo dei Normanni]]. Much construction was undertaken during this period, such as the building of the [[Palermo Cathedral]]. The Kingdom of Sicily became one of the wealthiest states in Europe, as wealthy as fellow Norman state the [[Kingdom of England]].<ref>{{cite book | last = John Julius | first = Norwich | authorlink = John Julius Norwich | title =The Normans in Sicily: The Normans in the South 1016–1130 and the Kingdom in the Sun 1130-1194 | publisher =Penguin Global | url =http://www.amazon.com/Normans-Sicily-1016-1130-Kingdom-1130-1194/dp/0140152121 | isbn = 978-0140152128}}</ref>
Sicily in 1194 fell under the control of the [[Holy Roman Empire]]. Palermo was the preferred city of the Emperor [[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick II]]. Muslims of Palermo were migrated and expelled during Holy Roman rule. After an interval of [[Angevin]] rule (1266-1282), Sicily came under the house of [[Crown of Aragon|Aragon]] and later, in (1479), the kingdom of [[Spain]] until 1713 and between 1717–1718. Palerrmo also managed by [[Savoy]] between 1713–1717 and 1718-1720 and [[Austria]] between 1720-1734.
===Two Sicilies and Italian unification===
Sicily's unification (1734) with the [[Bourbon house|Bourbon]]-ruled kingdom of [[Naples]] as the kingdom of the [[Two Sicilies]] inflicted a devastating blow on the elite of Palermo, as the city was reduced to just another provincial city, the royal court residing in Naples. Palermo rebelled in 1848 and held out against the [[Naples|Neapolitan]] crown until May 1849.
The Italian ''[[Risorgimento]]'' and Sicily's annexation (1860) to the [[House of Savoy|kingdom of Italy]] gave Palermo a second chance. It was once again the administrative centre of Sicily, and there was a certain economic and industrial development. In the second half of the 19th century Palermo expanded beyond the historical centre, especially towards Via della Libertá. Monumental public buildings were erected and a new thoroughfare was cut into the dense old town, called Via Roma. The city was one of the main centres of [[Art Nouveau]] style in Italy.
Palermo survived almost the entire [[Fascism|fascist]] period unscathed, but during the [[Allied invasion of Sicily]] in July 1943 it suffered heavy damage.
The importance of Palermo got another boost when [[Sicily]] became (1947) an autonomous region with extended self-rule. But any improvement was thwarted by the rising power of the [[Mafia]], which still today is a dramatic feature of the city, as well as the whole Southern Italy.
==Main sights==
Palermo has a noteworthy architectural heritage and is notable for its many [[Norman architecture|Norman buildings]].
===Churches===
* The [[Cathedral of Palermo]] (1185).
* [[San Giovanni dei Lebbrosi]] (1071)
* [[San Giovanni degli Eremiti]] (1132)
* [[Martorana]] (Santa Maria dell'Ammiragliato, 1143)
* [[San Cataldo, Palermo|San Cataldo]] (12th century)
* [[Santa Maria della Gancia]]
* [[Santa Maria della Catena]]
* [[San Giuseppe dei Teatini]]
* [[Oratorio di San Lorenzo, Palermo|Oratorio di San Lorenzo]]
* [[Oratorio del Rosario, Palermo|Oratorio del Rosario]]
* Santa Teresa alla [[Kalsa]] derives its name from [[Al-Khalisa]], an [[Arab language|arab]] term meaning ''elected''. The church, constructed in 1686–1706 over the former emir's residence, is one of the most outstanding examples of [[Sicilian Baroque]]. It has a single, airy nave, with stucco decorations from the early 18th century.
*Santa Maria dello Spasimo was built in 1506 and later turned into a hospital. For this temple [[Raphael]] painted his famous ''[[Sicilia's Spasimo]]'', now in the [[Museo del Prado]] of Madrid. The church today is a fascinating air-open ruin, which occasionally houses exhibitions and musical shows.
*the Church of the Jesus (''Chiesa del Gesù'') was built by the Jesuits in the centre of the city from 1564, over a pre-existing convent of Basilian monks. The edifice was further enlarged starting from 1591, becoming one of the most relevant examples of [[Sicilian Baroque]], though retaining some severe late Renaissance fashion. The church was heavily damaged after the 1943 bombings, which destroyed most of the frescoes. The interior has a Latin cross plan with a nave and two aisles, characterized by a particularly rich decoration of marbles, tarsias and stuccoes, especially in the St. Anne chapel. At the right is the Casa Professa, with a 1685 portal and a precious 18th century cloister. The Church of the Jesus is home to the Municipal Library, placede here in 1775.
*The church of [[Francis of Assisi|St. Francis of Assisi]], erected in what was once the market district of the city. It was built between 1255 and 1277 in the site of two pre-existing churches, and was largely renovated in the 15th, 16th, 18th and 19th centuries, the latter after an earthquake. After the 1943 bombings, the church was restored to its Mediaeval appearance, which now includes part of the original building such as part of the right side, the apses and the Gothic portal in the façade. The interior has a typical Gothic flavour, with a nave and two aisles separated by two rows of cylindrical pilasters. Some of the chapels are in Renaissance style, as well as the late 16th century side portals. The church includes precious sculptures by [[Antonio Gagini|Antonio]] and [[Giacomo Gagini]], and [[Francesco Laurana]], plus a noteworthy wooden choir dating from the 16th century. Of note are also the allegorical statues by Giacomo Serpotta (1723), also author of the stucco decoration.
*The church of the Magione (officially church of the [[Holy Trinity]]), an ancient example of Norman architecture. The church was founded in 1191 by Matteo d'Ajello, who donated it to the Cistercian monks.
===Palaces and museums===
* [[Palazzo dei Normanni]], one of the most beautiful Italian palaces and a notable example of [[Norman architecture]], probably built over an Arab fortress. It houses the famous [[Cappella Palatina]].
* [[Zisa, Palermo|Zisa]] (1160) and [[Cuba, Palermo|Cuba]], magnificent castles/houses used by the kings of Palermo for hunting. Similar buildings were common in northern Africa, but today these two are the only ones remaining. The Zisa houses the Islamic museum. The Cuba was once encircled by water.
* [[Palazzo Chiaramonte, Palermo|Palazzo Chiaramonte]]
* [[Palazzo Abatellis]], with the Regional Gallery. It was built at the end of the 15th century for the prefect of the city, Francesco Abatellis. It is a lassive though elegant construction, in typical [[Gothic architecture|Catalan Gothic]] style, with [[Renaissance]] influences. The Gallery houses an Elenora of Aragon bust by [[Francesco Laurana]] (1471) and the ''Malvagna Triptych'' (c. 1510), by [[Jan Gossaert]] and the famous ''Annunziata'' by [[Antonello da Messina]]. The exposition in the museum has been designed by the famous architect [[Carlo Scarpa]].
* The Museo Archeologico Regionale is one the main museums of Italy: it includes numerous remains from [[Etruscan civilization|Etruscan]], [[Carthage|Carthaginian]], [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] and [[Hellenistic]] civilizations. It houses all the decorative parts from the Sicilian temples of [[Segesta]] and [[Selinunte]].
===Opera Houses===
*The [[Teatro Massimo]] ("Greatest Theatre") was opened in 1897. Closed for renovation from 1974 until 1997, it is now carefully restored and has an active schedule. [[Enrico Caruso]] sang in a performance of ''[[La Gioconda]]'' during the opening season, returning for ''[[Rigoletto]]'' at the very end of his career. It is the largest theater in Italy (8000 sm).
*The [[Teatro Politeama]] was built between 1867 and 1874. Nowadays, the town's Gallery of Modern Art is accommodated here.
=== Squares ===
* [[Quattro Canti]] is a small square at the crossing of the ancient main roads (now: Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda) dividing the town into its quarters ('[[mandamento|mandamenti]]'). The buildings at the corner have diagonal baroque facades so that the square gets an almost octagonal form.
* Piazza Pretoria was planned in the 16th century near the Quattro Canti as the site of a fountain by Francesco Camilliani, the Fontana Pretoria.
===Other sights===
The Cathedral has a [[heliometer]] (solar "observatory") of 1690, one of a number<ref name="ref1">[http://cis.alma.unibo.it/NewsLetter/090496Nw/Heilbron.htm A paper from University of Bologna describing Heliometers in Italian Cathedrals]</ref> built in Italy in the 17th and 18th centuries. The device itself is quite simple: a tiny hole in one of the minor domes acts as [[Pinhole camera]], projecting an image of the sun onto the floor at solar noon (12:00 in winter, 13:00 in summer). There is a bronze line, ''[[Meridian (astronomy)|la Meridiana]] '' on the floor, running precisely N/S. The ends of the line mark the positions as at the summer and winter solstices; signs of the zodiac show the various other dates throughout the year.
The purpose of the instrument was to standardise the measurement of [[Time in physics|time]] and the [[Gregorian calendar|calendar]]. The convention in Sicily had been that the (24 hour) day was measured from the moment of sun-rise, which of course meant that no two locations had the same time and, more importantly, did not have the same time as in [[St. Peter's Basilica]] in Rome. It was also important to know when the [[Vernal Equinox]] occurred, to provide the correct date for [[Easter]].
The [[Orto botanico di Palermo]], founded in 1785, is the largest in Italy with a surface of 10 ha.
One site of interest is the [[Order of Friars Minor Capuchin|Capuchin]] [[Capuchin catacombs of Palermo|Catacombs]], with many [[mummy|mummified]] [[Dead body|corpse]]s in varying degrees of preservation.
Close to the city is {{convert|600|m|ft|-1|sing=on|spell=us}} high Monte Pellegrino, with spectacular views of the city, its surrounding mountains and the ocean.
.
==Sports==
Palermo has its own football team, [[U.S. Città di Palermo]], playing in Italian [[Serie A]] and in [[UEFA Cup]] first round of the 2007–2008 season. The chairman is [[Maurizio Zamparini]] and the coach is [[Stefano Colantuono]].
The [[Targa Florio]] was an open road endurance car race held near Palermo. Founded in 1906, it used to be one of the oldest sports car racing events until it was discontinued in 1977 due to safety concerns but has since run as a rallying event.
Palermo was home to the grand depart of the 2008 [[Giro d'Italia]]. The initial stage was a 28.5 km long TTT ([[Team Time Trial]]) held on May 10th.
[[Internazionali Femminili di Palermo]] is a [[WTA Tour]] Tier IV tournament in Palermo.
==Patron saints==
{{Unreferencedsection|date=April 2008}}
The patron saint of Palermo is [[Santa Rosalia]], who is still widely venerated.
On the 14th of July, people in Palermo celebrate the "Festino", which is the most important religious event of the year. The Festino is a procession in the main street of Palermo to remember the miracle attributed to Santa Rosalia who, it is believed, freed the city from the [[Black Death]] in 1624. The cave where the bones of Santa Rosalia were discovered is on Monte Pellegrino (see above): when her relics were carried around the city three times, the plague was lifted. There is a Santuario marking the spot and can be reached via a scenic bus ride from the city below.
Before 1624 Palermo had four [[patron saint]]s, one for each of the four major parts of the city. They were [[Agatha|Saint Agatha]], [[Saint Christina]], [[Saint Ninfa]] and [[Saint Olivia]].
Saint Lucy is also honoured with a peculiar celebration, during which inhabitants of Palermo do not eat anything made with flour, but boil wheat in its natural state and use it to prepare a special dish called [[cuccìa]]. This commemorates the saving of the city from famine through the intercession of St Lucia. A ship full of grain mysteriously arrived in the city's harbour and the population was so hungry that they did not waste time in making flour but ate the grain as it had arrived.
==Climate==
{| class="wikitable"
|+ '''Climate Table'''
|-
! !! Jan !! Feb !! Mar !! Apr !! May !! Jun !! Jul !! Aug !! Sep !! Oct !! Nov !! Dec
|-
! maximum temperature ([[Celsius|°C]])
| 16 || 18 || 20 || 22 || 25 || 27 || 30 || 28 || 26 || 23 || 20 || 18
|-
! minimum temperature(°C)
| 10 || 10 || 11 || 13 || 16 || 19 || 20 || 21 || 18 || 17 || 14 || 11
|-
! total rainfall(mm)
| 71.1 || 66.0 || 58.4 || 43.2 || 25.4 || 12.7 || 5.1 || 12.7 || 40.6 || 99.1 || 94.0 || 81.3
|-
| colspan="15" style="text-align: center;" | <small>'''Source:''' [http://www.weather.com Weather Channel]</small>
|}
==Transport==
[[Palermo International Airport]], also known as [[Falcone-Borsellino Airport]], [[Punta Raisi Airport]]: dedicated to [[Giovanni Falcone]] and [[Paolo Borsellino]], two anti-mafia judges killed by the mafia in early 1990s, is located 32 km (19 miles) west of Palermo (Punta Raisi).
The airport can also be reached by trains departing from Centrale, Notarbartolo and Francia stations.
== Twin cities ==
* {{Flagicon|Tunisia}} [[Bizerte]], [[Tunisia]]
* {{Flagicon|Democratic Republic of the Congo}} [[Bukavu]], [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]
* {{Flagicon|China}} [[Chengdu]], [[Peoples' Republic of China]]
* {{Flagicon|Romania}} [[Timişoara]], [[Romania]]
* {{Flagicon|Poland}} [[Gdańsk]], [[Poland]]
* {{Flagicon|United States}} [[Miami]], [[USA]]
* {{Flagicon|Canada}} [[Monterey Park, Calgary|Monterey]], [[Canada]]
* {{Flagicon|Colombia}} [[Palermo, Colombia|Palermo]], [[Colombia]]
* {{Flagicon|Cuba}} [[Santiago de Cuba]], [[Cuba]]
* {{Flagicon|Georgia}} [[Tblisi]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]
* {{Flagicon|Russia}} [[Yaroslavl]], [[Russia]]
==References==
===Sources===
{{Reflist|2}}
===Bibliography===
*{{cite book|first=Patrizia |last=Fabbri|title=Palermo e Monreale|publisher=Bonechi|location=Florence|year=2005}}
*{{cite book|first=Aymn |last=Almsaodi|title=The Desert Race}}
==See also==
*[[List of mayors of Palermo]]
*[[The Sack Of Palermo]]
*[[Giardini]] - a suburb of Palermo
== External links ==
{{sisterlinks|Palermo}}
* {{wikitravel}}
*[http://www.comune.palermo.it/ The City Council website]
*[http://www.palermotourism.com Official tourism website for the city]
*[http://www.palermocitta.it Information about the city of Palermo] (In Italian)
*[http://videoteppista.net/palermo.htm Online documentary on the city's social precarities] (In Italian and German)
{{Province of Palermo}}
{{Regional Capitals of Italy}}
[[Category:Palermo| ]]
[[Category:Coastal cities and towns in Italy]]
[[Category:Municipalities of the Province of Palermo]]
[[Category:Phoenician colonies in Sicily]]
[[Category:Settlements established in the 8th century BC]]
[[Category:Port cities in Italy]]
[[Category:Major Cities in Italy]]
[[af:Palermo]]
[[als:Palermo]]
[[ar:باليرمو]]
[[an:Palermo]]
[[ast:Palermo]]
[[be-x-old:Палерма]]
[[bs:Palermo]]
[[br:Palermo]]
[[bg:Палермо]]
[[ca:Palerm]]
[[cs:Palermo]]
[[co:Palermu]]
[[cy:Palermo]]
[[da:Palermo]]
[[de:Palermo]]
[[et:Palermo]]
[[el:Παλέρμο]]
[[es:Palermo]]
[[eo:Palermo]]
[[eu:Palermo]]
[[fa:پالرمو]]
[[fr:Palerme]]
[[fy:Palermo (stêd)]]
[[ga:Palermo]]
[[gl:Palermo]]
[[hi:पलेर्मो]]
[[hr:Palermo]]
[[io:Palermo]]
[[id:Palermo]]
[[ia:Palermo]]
[[is:Palermo]]
[[it:Palermo]]
[[he:פלרמו]]
[[jv:Palermo]]
[[ka:პალერმო]]
[[ku:Palermo]]
[[la:Panormus]]
[[lv:Palermo]]
[[lb:Palermo]]
[[lt:Palermas]]
[[lij:Palermo]]
[[hu:Palermo]]
[[nl:Palermo (stad)]]
[[ja:パレルモ]]
[[nap:Palermo]]
[[no:Palermo]]
[[nn:Palermo]]
[[oc:Palèrme]]
[[pms:Palerm]]
[[pl:Palermo]]
[[pt:Palermo]]
[[ro:Palermo]]
[[qu:Palermo]]
[[ru:Палермо]]
[[sc:Palermu]]
[[scn:Palermu]]
[[simple:Palermo]]
[[sk:Palermo]]
[[sr:Палермо]]
[[fi:Palermo]]
[[sv:Palermo]]
[[tl:Lungsod ng Palermo]]
[[tr:Palermo]]
[[uk:Палермо]]
[[vec:Pałermo]]
[[vo:Palermo]]
[[zh:巴勒莫市]]