Palermo – Outside the Center

<< Palermo

The neighborhoods outside the center of Palermo are mostly residential and industrial, and developed since the 19th century. Despite this, many interesting landmarks and historic buildings are located here.

✪ La Zisa

La Zisa is a historic 12th-century palace located outside the center of Palermo. The palace was built by Arab craftsmen under Norman rule, and served as a hunting lodge. Later abandoned and restored several times, now it serves as a museum. Known for its monumental structure and many elaborate decorations, this is one of the best examples of Arab-Norman architecture and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inside, it hosts the Museum of Islamic Art (Museo d’Arte Islamica), which features many artworks and objects from the Arab and Norman era of Sicily, between the 9th and 12th century. The palace is also surrounded by large gardens.

Palazzo d’Orléans

Palazzo d’Orléans is a historic palace in Palermo, located near Palazzo dei Normanni. Built between the 18th and 19th century, now it hosts the offices of the President of Sicily. Next to the palace is a large garden, the Parco d’Orléans, which houses a ornithological park as well as several other animal and plant species.

Palazzo della Cuba

Palazzo della Cuba is an Arab-Norman palace erected in the 12th century in Palermo. Originally built as a recreational site and an imitation of La Zisa, now it serves as a museum. The palace features various elaborate Arab-Norman decorations and artworks.

Villa Di Napoli

Villa Di Napoli is an ancient villa at the outskirts of Palermo. The villa was built in the 17th century over some previous Norman structures and was reworked several times. The park surrounding the villa features the Cubula, a small Arab-Norman building.

Historical Museum of Engines and Mechanisms

The Historical Museum of Engines and Mechanisms (Museo Storico dei Motori e dei Meccanismi) is a museum managed by the University of Palermo. Its collection includes numerous historic vehicles, engines, and industrial machinery, dating from the 19th and 20th century.

Capuchin Catacombs

The Capuchin Catacombs (Catacombe dei Cappuccini) is a series of underground burials located under a convent adjacent to the Church of Santa Maria della Pace in Palermo. The complex houses the remains of thousands of people dating between the 16th and 20th century.

Botanical Garden of Palermo

The Botanical Garden of Palermo (Orto Botanico di Palermo) is a historic botanical garden and research institution managed by the University of Palermo. Located just outside the historic center of the city, it was founded in the 18th century, and now it features thousands of plant species from all over the world. Adjacent to the garden is a public park known as Villa Giulia.

Pietro Doderlein Zoology Museum

The Pietro Doderlein Zoology Museum (Museo di Zoologia Pietro Doderlein) is the zoology museum of the University of Palermo, located next to the botanical garden of the city. Its collection includes thousands of specimen of animals, including some that are now extinct in Sicily or Italy.

Admiral’s Bridge

The Admiral’s Bridge (Ponte dell’Ammiraglio) is a Gothic bridge erected in the 12th century in Palermo. The bridge features various pointed arches and it was the site of a battle in 1860. The structure is still well preserved and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it is now on land, as the river it crossed was diverted.

Teatro Politeama Garibaldi

Teatro Politeama Garibaldi is a large theater in Palermo, erected in the late 19th century. The building is an example of Neoclassical architecture, with a facade made to resemble a triumphal arch and richly adorned with various statues and decorations, while the inteior features several artworks.

Villa Zito

Villa Zito is an 18th-century palace in Palermo. Once the residence of a local noble family, the palace was later expanded and now it hosts an art gallery. Its collection includes numerous artworks mostly by Italian artists and dating between the 17th and 20th century.

Parco della Favorita

The Parco della Favorita is a large park located north of the center of Palermo. This was once a private park of the local rulers, and it stretches along the side of Monte Pellegrino. Now it is part of a nature reserve, and it houses various sports venues, including Stadio Renzo Barbera, the main stadium of the city.

Palazzina Cinese

Palazzina Cinese is a former royal residence in Palermo, located just outside the Parco della Favorita. Built between 1799 and 1806, it was erected in eclectic style, blending elements from several different styles, and features various decorated halls. Adjacent to the palace is the Giuseppe Pitrè Sicilian Ethnographic Museum (Museo Etnografico Siciliano Giuseppe Pitrè), which houses a rich collection of documents and clothes showcasing local culture.

Mondello

Mondello is a neighborhood of Palermo located at the northern edge of the city. This area is a famous tourist destination thanks to its beach and it is often visited by locals in summer. The seafront of Mondello is adorned with several Art Nouveau buildings erected in the early 20th century. Among these is the Antico Stabilimento Balneare, a richly decorated bathing establishment on the sea.