Palermo’s main attractions include the restaurants, the art venues, the historic sites and the local music scene. The architecture is a mix of styles. Romanesque buildings stand alongside others which are decidedly Gothic. Baroque churches tower over parts of this city, which has been the seat of local rulers Christian, Muslim and Pagan alike. Some of the churches in this city offer a history of more than architecture and religion. The painter Raphael graced the church of Santa Maria dello Spasimo with a painting of its patron saint. Today, the church is an open air ruin which attracts people from around the world.

This island has been home to a great many nobles over its history. Their story is also told in the buildings. The Zisa and Cuba castles were once the hunting residences of local rulers. Today, the Zisa castle holds the Islamic Museum, which holds artifacts from when the Arabs ruled this island. For those who want their history a bit more in the rough, consider a visit to the Capuchin Catacombs. Within these chambers guests will see very old remains, many of them mummified, all of them part of this city’s history.

In the center of the city, one will find the restaurant called Spinnato. Here, visitors will learn that, even though it’s considered the most Italian of foods in many places around the world, pizza isn’t necessarily what most people think. Sfincione is the local pizza dish. It contains no cheese and has different toppings than pizza in most other parts of the world. Other dishes at this restaurant include gourmet local fare including arancine and aubergines.

Near the Quattro Canti, visitors will find Al Chioschetto. This restaurant serves a diverse range of dishes drawn from local traditions. Il Proverbio is also not far away and specializes in Sicilian dishes. Those who sample the local fare should expect a lot of sword fish and lamb. The town meats constitute the most popular on the island and are included in many of the local dishes. Sicilian food enjoys a mix of Italian traditions with the addition of certain citrus fruits brought by the Arabs and other cultural influences that make it something all its own. There are vendors located along many of the city streets.

Some of the most important churches in the city are also among the most important architectural landmarks. The San Teresa alla Kalsa church was built between 1686 and 1706. This building is a baroque structure and a fine example of the characteristics of that architecture. Visit Santa Maria dello Spasimo to see open air ruins of a truly ancient structure, built in 1505. The history spans even further back in the past, however. The St. Francis of Assisi Church was built between 1255 and 1277 and represents a medieval incarnation of church architecture. Not all the best architecture In the city is religious, of course.

Outside the city of Palermo lay the ruins of Solunto. This ancient city was home to the Phoenicians, the Greeks and the Romans. The ruins aren’t complete, most of the buildings have been reduced to their outlines and low walls. Among these ruins, however, visitors will find a few well-preserved areas to explore. There are frescoes still on some of the walls. This is one of the oldest Phoenician settlements on the island. A little to the east of the city is located Bagheria, a playground of the ruling nobility on the island. Baroque architecture abounds in this ancient area.

Quinto Canto is located in the center of the city. The area around Quattro Canti—the physical ancient crossroads of the city—is rife with historic architecture. Expect to see some buildings which are something of historical mishmashes. It’s not uncommon to see buildings with Gothic windows, Arab archways and medieval portholes all in one. Other areas of the city offer a bit of a different experience. For instance, Villa Igiea is located near the part of the city most notable for the many aristocratic buildings located in the area. The area is rich in numerous architectural styles.

Some of the places to visit include the Zisa and Cuba castles. These were once used for hunting by nobles who ruled over the island of Sicily. The Zisa structure now holds the Islamic Museum. Islamic culture dominated here during the Arab Emirate period and is celebrated in this museum. The Kalsa District is also full of historical places to explore. The NH Palermo hotel is located in this area. Palermo has its own airport and there are busses and other public transportation options from which visitors may choose. Destinations outside the city can be reached via these modes of transit, in many cases.

On July 14 of each year, the residents of Palermo come out onto the streets to celebrate at once one of the most important local heroes and one of the most devastating tragedies to ever visit the city. Like most places in Europe, Palermo was devastated by the Black Plague in ancient times. Its status as a port meant that the disease hit particularly hard here due to the constant influx of people. Local Tradition holds that Santa Rosalia freed the city from the Black Death in 1624. Every year, a procession is led down the main streets of the city to celebrate Santa Rosalia.

Exploring this festival can be much more of an occasion than simply attending a procession. Visitors to the city can take a bus up to the cave on Mont Pellegrino where the relics of Rosalia were found. These relics were borne around the city four times. The local tradition maintains that this act lifted the Black Plague from the city. Despite being ravaged by the plague, the city endured. This city is one of the most conquered in the world and has demonstrated its resilience many times throughout history.