After breakfast we had a tour briefing which was mostly a soft sell on optional tours and optional seafood dinner tonight for 50 euro per person.
Late start to our morning guided tour with a local tour guide, Laura. Basically we saw three churches and a little of how people drive and park in Palermo. They basically park in no parking zones, and double and even triple park or put their blinkers on if they will only be there a short time! Traffic is slow and people seem to drive all over the road.
First we went to the Palantine Chapel in the Royal Palace. It was built by a Norman King, Roger II. The church is dedicated to St Peter the Apostle and the dome is dominated by the image of Christ pantocrator, Christ the creator.
We then went to Monreale a little way out of Palermo to see a second Norman chapel built in the same style 15 years after the Palantine Chapel. It was built by William the Good, another Norman King. We had to climb a little way after being dropped off by the bus. The church was situated in an old square with a number of tourist stalls. I image it would be very crowded in summer!
Our third stop was Cattedrale Di Palermo which is characterised by different styles due to a long history of additions and alterations. It was built at the same time as Monreale but has been decorated in the rococo style in the 18th century. We were witness to a 50th wedding celebration!
Two of the churches are now world heritage listed because of their unique mix of Byzantine and Arabic features.
After the tour we want for a walk to the Piazza Bologni where we had a light lunch at Carlo V cafe – antipasto plate, two red wines and two coffees and free glass of limoncello. Delicious.
A short visit to the Museum of Modern Art – beautiful building but not many artists. The special exhibition was Manifesto – art painted by the artist with his fingers of male figures in various poses against themselves or the elements.
Most interesting exhibit were wardrobes suspended from the ceiling.
The limoncello had tipped us over the edge. We walked and walked and walked but became more and more tired. We retired for a late afternoon nap only to wake at 9pm and promptly go back to sleep again. We slept around the clock despite the hard bed and flat pillows!
Travelling with Teresa 