May 7, 2025: So Much To See in Palermo

The Hebrew alphabet was inspired by the Phoenicians. There are no vowels. However, Greek was the common language spoken by the world.

Trade was important along the Mediterranean. Carthage had just been founded in 814 BC.

The Arabs arrived in 827AD. It was a turning point of development. They built on existing Roman water engineering and detoured water from rivers to the underground called qanats. Even though they still exist in Palermo, only ¼ of the qanats have been located. The Arabs taxed non-Muslims but did not require you to convert.

Pasta comes from China as did saffron, pistachios, silk and mulberry, and paper which did much to increase literacy.

In 1072 the Normans arrived which are Vikings from Norway. They also settled in Normandy. Arab-Norman was an all inclusive culture.

Monreale

The mountain above Palermo is called the King’s Mountain. Frederick II built Monreale on the top of this forested area from 1174-1210 and used up the treasury to build it.

Mosaic workers came from Constantinople and were considered the best. He wanted icons and not just art. An icon master cannot sway from the Bible tradition. There is no stained glass.

There are over 73,000 sqare feet of mosiacs.

In the hand of Jesus is John 8:12 written in Latin and Greek. *I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.*

There are 42 Bible stories depicted all around everywhere from Genesis and the Gospels. We have displayed five of the stories. Can you guess them? Answers at the bottom of the post.

Gold came from Africa. It was closer than Rome. The Tunisians traded it for wheat. However, columns came from Rome by ship.

Mosaics on the curved wall had to be done on site. Gold mosaic tiles are tilted
to catch the sun.

The organ has 11,000 pipes. This photo shows only part of it.

At the top of this capital, is a two-tailed mermaid. Could this be the inspiration for the Starbucks logo?

Ballarò Market

We were at the market during peak hours. The Ballarò Market has been there for AT LEAST 1500 YEARS. There is yelling, whistling, and singing. It is a feast for your senses.

“Only one euro, one pieca”, he calls out in a thick Italian accent.

For lunch, Rob, expecting some lettuce, ordered a salad with tomatoes and onions. Yep! That’s about right!!

I’m not sure what this man is doing with the blow dryer?

These are small strawberries that taste like candy. They are called frangolina … like the sign says.

Granita is a refreshing, semi-frozen treat made with sugar, water, and various flavorings much like our snow cones.

We opted for two grattacheccas. They are was made with shaved ice. Rob chose the flavor orange, and I chose cherry.

We watched the young man use his muscles to wield the shaver on the block of ice. Rob gave him 10 euros and he said thank you. Note: always ask the costs beforehand!! Lesson learned.

Church of the Jesus of Casa Professa

Dark ages started in Sicily in 1487. And in 1492 everything changed. Jews were expelled from all Spanish Kingdoms at the time that included Sicily due to the Alhambra Decree, issued on March 31, 1492, by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. Jews were given until July 31, 1492, to convert to Catholicism or leave. This decree marked a significant turning point in the history of Jews in Spain and had long-lasting consequences. Twenty to thirty percent converted. The economy dropped.

The Jesuits built a small church on this site in 1610. It was razed and a bigger church was built.

In WWII, a bomb came through the cupola but did not explode.