Palermo, la città ritrovata : itinerari entro le mura

Palermo: Chiesa di San Cataldo

Adriana Chirco's two volume set, Palermo, la città ritrovata, is an excellent profile on the city of Palermo.  Designed an uber-guidebook and published by Dario Flaccovio Editore, these two volumes highlight the wonderful artistic, archaeological and architectural heritage of the city of Palermo. The author, a native who was born in lives in Palermo, is also an architect and has a keen understanding of Palermo's urban space, its artistic and architectural heritage as well as general architectural principles.  Her expertise and understanding translates into an easy to read guide to the city that goes beyond your typical guidebook!

Perhaps guidebook is a misnomer since the book has no tourist information, such as hotel and restaurants.  It functions as a guide to the many monuments and places that you are bound to encounter as you head through the city.  Palermo, if you've ever visited it, often confuses visitors to the city because it seemingly lacks what you might expect if you visited Rome or Florence.  Don't be fooled - Palermo has much to offer!  It only involves working a little harder to discover its potential, its beauty and its charm.  Chirco helps the reader to create order out of Palermo's disorder, providing a "plan of attack" in "conquering" the city as a tourist and visitor.

Each chapter is subdivided into several walking tours that are take one through the various streets and alleyways of the city.  The guidebook is easy to use but might be helpful to pair with a map of the city (the best maps can be found from the tourist information points located throughout the city).  My favorite chapter is #22 which features a tour of the monuments by the Baroque stuccoist, Giacomo Serpotta!

Regardless of how you use the book, it is a great title for learning more about the urban spaces in the city of Palermo!

The first volume, Entre le mura, is available from ibs.it.  The second volume, Fuori le mura, is avaible directly from the publisher.

You can also read more about Palermo by visiting Nello's Italy -- check out my contribution on Palermo!