Palermo is one of the oldest cities in the Mediterranean, and its long and complex history has left us
a great artistic and cultural heritage that stretches to modern times. In the end of the 19th century,
Palermo was one of Italy’s most vibrant cities, attracting artists, intellectuals and aristocrats from
the whole of Europe. After an uneasy 50 year hiatus which started with World War II, Palermo is yet
again a major protagonist of Italian culture (Palermo was the Capitale della cultura italiana in 2018)
and many artists and collectors of renown have chosen Palermo as their new home.
This tour begins in Piazza Castelnuovo to admire the imposing “Pompeian” looking Teatro
Politeama as well as the delightful Liberty Kiosk designed by the famous Sicilian architect G.B.
Filippo Basile in 1875. Heading east, we make stops to see examples of Art Nouveau architecture,
such as the imposing Teatro Massimo (from outside), as well as examples of fascist architecture,
such as Palermo’s central post office, in via Roma, one of Palermo’s main avenues that is flanked
with monumental 19th and early 20th century buildings. We will enter an old palazzo that the
architect and designer Flavio Albanese recently transformed, not inconspicuously, and which is now
home to the famous department store La Rinascente. The view from its beautiful terrace affords us
the opportunity to understand Palermo’s major urban transformations in modern times.
For an insight into contemporary art, we will visit Palazzo Riso (Palermo’s
Contemporary Art Museum), which was restored by the famous Venetian architect Carlo Scarpa.
The tour ends at the Archivio Storico Comunale designed by the Sicilian Art Nouveau architect
Damiani Almeyda. It is in this monumental edifice that Wim Wenders filmed the wonderful scene
of Dennis Hopper as a devil in his film “Palermo shooting”.

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