Palermo

The wallet fiasco behind us we headed out the door safely in Palermo, Sicily (finally in Sicily!) to find one piece of artwork I had read about, Giacomo Serpotta and his stucco of the Battle of Lepanto.  It was a short walk from our hotel but through the dirty streets of Palermo, dog shit to dodge, trash bins overflowing onto the sidewalk making it impassable, litter abundant in every angle of your view, and frankly people wearing unhappy faces.  The contrast between Palermo and bella Bologna, with its porticos and clean streets, street sweepers and cleaning crews running all the time, and warm people could not be more distinct.  After paying the 4Euro fee I realized we wound our way into the wrong church, Oratoroio del Rosario di San Domenico.  It was a nice church with beautiful stucco work, just not what I was expecting to see.  So we broke out The Google, it really is a marvelous thing, and a 2 minute walk later we were in business.  Another 4 Euro fee?  Nope, our ticket was good for discounted (or free in this case) entrance into several of the churches and museums throughout Palermo so we entered the empty Oratorio di Santa Cita to an amazing and wonderful site of sculpture.  Its so nice to appreciate art or nature or what you enjoy, without a horde of tourists breathing over your shoulder or bumping into or just being noisy.  Its why I don't plan to return to Florence again.


The entire wall covered the battle and the consequences of the battle, basically Serpotta indicating that just because the battle was over and won by the Christians nothing was really going to change.  History indicates that this naval battle may have saved Europe as its own, as well as been the last major naval galley ship battle.

The work was really great:


We also walked a little to the Quattro Canti and then on to San Cataldo, (yes another church Kathie), built mid 1100s in a true Arab-Norman style; it was fascinating architecture:




The inside was virtually bare showing the method by which the bricks were formed and arches made to open the entire building up under the vaults and domes.  It was simple and beautiful, and I got in for 1/2 price do to my previous ticket purchase.  Pictures not worthy, having some camera issues and its beginning to become a little bothersome.

Dinner at a cute place that was totally run by women, Pot Cucina, something we haven't seen in Sicily or Italy for that matter.  Food was unconventional and tasty.



Our stop in Palermo was planned for rest, the interesting art, and a day trip via train to Cefalu.  That's next on the list......Ciao bella!

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