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Church and Monastery of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria
30m · Admission ticket included
A visit to the Monastery of Santa Caterina in Palermo is a journey through art, spirituality and sweetness. Located in the heart of the historic center, next to Piazza Pretoria, the Dominican complex of 1300 houses one of the most beautiful Baroque churches in the city, rich in polychrome marble, stucco and frescoes. After admiring the church, the cloister and the panoramic terraces overlooking the rooftops of Palermo, the route leads to the historic Dolceria, once the workshop of the cloistered nuns. Here, among the scents of almonds, citrus fruits and cinnamon, you can taste desserts made according to ancient conventual recipes: cassatine, martorana fruit, biscuits and almond cakes, symbols of the Sicilian confectionery tradition. Sitting in the silence of the cloister, you can taste not only the goodness of the sweets but also the peace and history that permeate the place, making the experience at the Monastery of Santa Caterina an unforgettable encounter between culture, faith and taste.
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Mercato di Ballaro
30m · Admission ticket included
A tour through the streets of Ballarò is an immersion in the most authentic and lively heart of Palermo. Aboard an Ape Taxi or simply walking, you enter a world of colors, sounds and scents that tell centuries of history and multiculturalism. The Ballarò Point of Sale, one of the oldest in the city, winds through narrow streets and stalls overflowing with fruit, fish, spices and typical street food: panelle, croquettes, sfincione and freshly fried arancine. The cries of the vendors, the so-called “abbanniate”, accompany the visitor on a unique sensory journey. Between tastings, you will discover ancient churches, Arab-Norman palaces and murals that tell the popular soul of the neighborhood. Along the way, the Guide or driver shares anecdotes and curiosities about this pulsating part of Palermo, where every corner smells of history and humanity. The Ballarò tour is an authentic, lively and unforgettable experience, able to discover the true essence of the city.
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Terranova maestri caramellai dal 1890
30m · Admission ticket included
The tour at Caramellificio Terranova is a sweet and fascinating experience in the heart of Palermo. Founded in 1890 in the Ballarò district, this historic factory is famous for its carob candies, a symbol of Sicilian artisan tradition. During the visit, among ancient copper pots, vintage instruments and historical wrappers, you will discover the history of the Terranova family and the processing steps: from syrup cooked at 170 ° C to manual forming, all without preservatives, gluten or lactose. The Guide – often a descendant of the founders – tells anecdotes and secrets of the trade, showing how the simplicity of the ingredients becomes excellence. The tour ends with a tasting of traditional and innovative candies, such as carob, anise, bergamot and ginger. It is an experience that combines taste, memory and culture, reviving the authentic Palermo and the confectionery knowledge handed down for over a century.
