Palermo: styles and contrasts under the Mediterranean sun

Hello archi lovers!

There are many charming places, we walk through cities and discover architecture, design and also history. And always a lot of beauty that inspires us.

This time we travel to the south, we change cloudy skies of elegant European cities, to enjoy a sunnier visit also in Europe. In the south, in southern Italy, we travel to Sicily, to its capital, the city of Palermo.

And in Palermo, beyond the mafia movies, we are surprised by its proliferation of emblematic buildings and monuments, in heterodox and eclectic styles, and while we walk through its charismatic and unique streets, we also walk through its history and its essence, under a brilliant sun and Mediterranean air.

An intense light to see with greater intensity the central element of the city, the cathedral, with an elaborate and detailed style, a flirtatious design without being overdone, and palm trees adorn the surroundings making the atmosphere more special. Somehow it slightly reminds me of the cathedral in Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain) and it may have an explanation, since once in the past both territories belonged to the Crown of Aragon, and there are Aragonese-Catalan roots on this island.

Something that is evidently shared is the faith, the Christian, Catholic culture, and Palermo is full of more churches, and perhaps some more spectacular than the cathedral itself, they compete in different categories, because the styles are different. There is variety because there is a lot of history as well as the church of La Martorana, it looks like another church but here the differentiating element is inside, a decorative and golden ecstasy on all its walls full of wonderful frescoes, although unfortunately in the photographs everything appeared very dark, the visual effect is impressive. Come see it.

And there is more, another church, but one that we will always remember because it is unique and different. Have you seen a church, with some upper elements in red like this? It is the church of San Cataldo, a mixture of Arab and Norman styles. Because the Arabs were also here in another era, and before that the Vikings who entered the Mediterranean also arrived here, is it possible that they are the origin of the blonde, blue-eyed people who live in this area?

The amalgamation of cultures that are concentrated here have left their mark. Going through more and more buildings with signs of having lived a long time on their walls, we also find monuments, statues and also large stately fountains, a fountain that reminds us on the other hand of the classic elegance of the Italian Renaissance. One more style.

In terms of elegance, what is most striking is a street intersection, yes, even the streets become something to admire. Quattro canti (four corners), an unexpected place with rounded corners and façades decorated with sculptures, niches and columns that also enjoy the sun and the play of shadows that they reflect, creating different perspectives depending on the moment.

And we walk away through another of its vibrant streets to reach another part of the city. Where are the contrasts?
In the downtown, old, popular area, the market area, where people buy by weight amid shouting and lots of people, while cats watch from above.

An intense decadence like the light here, but proud, full of history, architecture, styles, cultures, changes, contrasts, life.

Palermo, Italy, Europe

Thanks so much for reading! Have a beautiful and amazing day.

The text is totally mine and the photos too, by ©Duvinca

*Just I didn't know some names of the churches, so for that extra information about Palermo: Wikipedia

But the rest of descriptions, opinions or other facts come from my memory, knowledge and love for history and Italy* ❤

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