A TOWN OF HISTORY, ART, CULTURE AND TRADITION AND TRADITION ISTITUTO COMPRENSIVO “MANZONI”MONTELEPRESICILY COMENIUS PROJECT “A JOURNEY AROUND THE MEDITERRANEAN”

Montelepre and Giardinello are two small villages near Palermo, which is the main town of Sicily. This big and important city is situated on the sea in the north of the island and it is surrounded by hills going down towards the so called “Golden Shell”. Thanks to its great artistic and architectural heritage, Palermo is one of the main tourist destinations in the region and southern Italy. Palermo has got about inhabitants and many of them come from other countries such as Marocco, Tunisia, China, Romania, India. As a result, Palermo is increasingly becoming a cosmopolitan city. Palermo is the seat of “Regional Assembly”, that is the Sicilian parliament

The first inhabitants were the Sicanians, then the Cretans and Elymians. In the eight century B.C. it became a permanent Phoenician colony Then the city was conquered by the Romans and it was called “Panormus” When the Roman Empire declined, Palermo fell into the hands of Barbarian people ( Vandals, Ostrogoths…) until the Byzantines took over in the first half of the sixth century In 831 the Arabs invaded and conquered Palermo. During the Arab domination, there were more than three hundred mosques. The Arabs also introduced the first citrus groves,which opened new opportunities for economic development. They ruled till 1071 when the Normans began their domination. The Normans promoted Science, Art and Culture and Palermo became rich in churches and monuments When the Normans declined, it was the turn of the Swabians, later of the of the Angevins and Aragonese.

Palermo is rich in traditions and folklore. Most of festivals are informed by religious tradition. One of the most important events in Palermo is the “Fistinu Di Santa Rosalia” ( the feast of Saint Rosalia), who is the patron of the town. It is held on 15th July and it is inspired by a legendary woman,Rosalia, who lived in Sicily during the reign of Roger II ( ). Saint Rosalia The cart of S. Rosalia The feast of Saint Rosalia

Palermo, just like Sicily, is the result of myriad different cultures. Everywhere you go, you can see beautiful and old churches, marvellous and ancient palaces, famous squares, interesting museums and typical street markets. But, just like a modern city, Palermo is also full of restaurants,cinemas cafes and of trendy shops.

Pretoria squarePoliteama square S.Giovanni degli Eremiti church The cathedral Massimo Theatre Mondello: the beach of Palermo

BYE FROM CLASSES 2C and 2G of SECONDARY SCHOOL. Teacher: Franco Maria Clara A.S. 2010/2011