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Church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria

Church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria: Our most recommended tours and activities

Palermo: Historical Center Walking Tour with Rooftop Views

1. Palermo: Historical Center Walking Tour with Rooftop Views

Discover Palermo from above on a guided walking tour. Take in the city's top attractions, including picturesque piazzas, grand churches, and Palermo Cathedral. Explore the rooftops to see the city from up high. Learn about Palermo's history and the Sicilian tradition of baking in convents. Meet your guide at the entrance to Piazza San Domenico, before heading along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, where you can admire many architectural gems, including the impressive Palermo Cathedral with its mix of styles. Then, head to Piazza Bellini and the Roman Catholic Church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria. Marvel at its Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo features. Discover this former convent's baking roots in the Dolceria, a project aimed at rediscovering the ancient Sicilian tradition of baking in convents. Next, get a whole new perspective on Palermo by climbing up to the roof of the convent of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, where you can admire breathtaking city views. Take in the beauty of the dome of the Baroque Chiesa del Santissimo Salvatore church and the Cathedral from up high. Finally, visit the enchanting Piazza Pretoria, also known as the square of shame, in the middle of the historical center of Palermo. Admire its majestic marble fountain featuring sixteen nude statues of nymphs, humans, mermaids, and satyrs. Then, finish your tour back at the meeting point.

Palermo: Private Baroque and Aristocracy Guided Walking Tour

2. Palermo: Private Baroque and Aristocracy Guided Walking Tour

From the Baroque heart of the I Quattro Canti you will travel the ancient axis of the city to reach and visit the Palazzo Alliata di Villafranca, one of the richest residences of the Palermitan aristocracy, which among its admirably restored halls preserves a beautiful Crucified Christ by Van Dick. Then on the way to the famous fountain Pretoria or “della Vergogna”, which will be the scene of popular stories. In piazza Bellini you will admire the domes of San Cataldo from the XII century. from the Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher, and here is a surprise visit to the Church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio known as “la Martorana” where Baroque and the Middle Ages coexist among the most beautiful mosaics of the Norman era. A particularly interesting visit will follow, the Church of Santa Caterina recently returned to the city but for centuries reserved only for young cloistered nuns, girls of the highest aristocracy who foreclosed lived among altars made with lapis lazuli and precious stones in contrast with the Baroque and the Spanish society of Palermo. You will then walk the alleys of the Guilds of craftsmen and judges that accompanied the “Inquisiti” to Death. You will be introduced to the stories of “the Leopard” admiring from the outside the terrace of the Gangi palace, location of the famous Visconti film, to reach the square decorated by the splendid Gothic rose window of the church of San Francesco d’Assisi. From there you will discover the richest and darkest centuries of Spanish Sicily, reaching Piazza Marina to admire a centuries-old ficus magnolioides of the Garibaldi Garden, once a place reserved for the Condemnations and Tortures of the Holy Inquisition. Here will end the walk between traditional ice cream and cannoli in the district of the old port La Cala.

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What people are saying about Church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 12 reviews

Margherita was a fantastic guide, she has a very deep knowledge about history, culture and architecture as well. We were reaching many important sights of Palermo.

Excellent walk to discover all that I was unable to do alone. Beauty is at home in this city and if accompanied by a good guide, it becomes even more beautiful

It was a crazy discovery. Palermo is a riot of peoples and traditions wisely explained by the very patient guide to all my questions

Very prepared and helpful guide, he made us appreciate the art, culture and curiosities of Palermo.

Very pleasant guide, very knowledgeable. Was a nice tour