Palermo, the capital of Sicily, is on the north coast. It’s bursting with interest. Possibly best are the Arab/Norman mosaics in the Castello dei Normanni, where the Parliament of the autonomous Sicily meets and in the Mortarana church. The small Church of San Cataldo, almost adjacent to the latter is starkly beautiful for its very simplicity. Sumptuous Baroque churches are plentiful. One bizarre sight is the Catacombs of the Convento dei Cappuccini. These are filled with masses of skeletons, clothed and segregated by sex and occupation! One is of a young girl who almost looks ready to go shopping, after being dead for a long time. The secret of the process died with the embalmer!
Check at the TIC about buses to Monte Pellegrino, a very scenic ride by the coast and through a forest to a shrine. You may prefer to walk to the true top.
There’s plenty more but DO also look at Monreale [separate destination guide] and if you only have time for one thing, go there. [edit text][editors]
