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Isles of the Mediterranean Cruise - Palermo Page |
Palermo
Thursday 12th April 2018
Approaching the Sicilian Coast
Sailing into Palermo
It was a glorious morning for a change & we berthed much earlier than expected but there was still not time to go ashore before the tours, which were packed. We left shortly after 13:00 & our escort was Jack the Port Lecturer. This place is a typical Mafia-run city, filthy & gives the impression of being disorganised, with fly-tipping rampant..
The Hill with St. Rosalia on it |
Across the city |
After some gross traffic, we were taken up the mountain to St. Rosalia's Church, which was built into the mountain top & somewhat hilarious, as full of offerings, including a couple of wedding dresses. St.Rosalia is big round here. |
The Church built into the mountain... |
...up a lot of steps |
The outer part |
Looking up through the rocks |
The Nave |
Altar |
The saint in a glass case |
Offerings |
Barley-sugar pillars by the door |
The shanty town of shops |
A Rubbish shop |
View over Palermo going down |
Then, to Mondello, a beach town, where we had to queue for a long time, as all the buses arrived at the same time, more disorganisation. This was for giant ice-creams served in brioches, of all things.
Mondello |
The Moorish Watchtower |
Casino owned by a Belgian Charity |
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Then, back to the ship. I did get photos of a Phoenician fort (heavily Photoshopped here to remove most anachronisms) & the Mondello Moorish watchtower for my talks but we did not go to the Norman Palace or the Cathedral, which was very disappointing. |
Phoenician Fort |
Palermo |
Contact: Ken Baldry at 17 Gerrard Road, Islington, London N1 8AY +44(0)20 7359 6294 or e-mail him
URL: http://www.art-science.com/Tourism/Cruises/WM2018/CR6.html Last revised 24/4/2018 ©2018 Ken Baldry. All rights reserved.