The second morning of our cruise, we arrived in Palermo, Sicily. Let's see. Sicily. It was... I could see how... Well, Palermo is like that really smart straight-C/D student in school. So much potential, but just no ambition. Beneath the dirt, the cramped apartment buildings, and graffiti, there was a lot of beauty. It was just hard to find. I think if we'd been able to get away from the port city, we would have been far more impressed with what Sicily had to offer. But that's the problem with cruises, and a main reason why I wasn't overly impressed with my very first cruise experience.
We had booked tours through Royal Caribbean for all of the ports, so we disembarked with our tour group and were whisked into town for a quick overview of Palermo, then to the Capuchin Catacombs. When we booked this tour, I had it in my head that this was going to be the catacomb lined with the skulls and bones that you see all the time on travel shows. As creepy as that would have been, the reality of these catacombs was so much more macabre. Starting in 1599, the monks began mummifying their brothers who had passed and storing them in the catacombs. As word began to spread, the wealthy citizens of the town also wanted to be mummified, and soon there were thousands of bodies lining the walls of the catacombs. The remnants of these mummies are still there today, in many cases with leathery skin, strands of hair, and tattered clothing still clinging to their bones. We couldn't take pictures inside, but if you really want to see what I'm describing, you can click here.
Next up, we headed over to the Palazzo Chiaramonte, built by Sicilian royalty in the 1300s and later the headquarters of the Spanish Inquisition. It is now partially used by the University of Palermo, but still retains its medieval feel with the imposing stone walls surrounding a beautiful courtyard. There are many religious frescoes on the walls completed during the Inquisition by artists who were attempting to prove their Catholic faith during their captivity.
After the organized tour, we decided to wander around Palermo for the rest of the afternoon, before returning to the ship for our departure. We had a delicious Sicilian lunch outside, enjoying the beautiful weather and the always entertaining people-watching.
He's climbin' in yo windows, snatchin' yo people up!
Beautiful pictures!!! Sorry your first cruise wasn't a good experience! My first one wasn't either...I actually hated it...but our cruise to Alaska for our honeymoon was magical!! I'm sure you'll make up for it on your next one. :)
P.S. Love your jacket!!!!
Posted by: Same Sweet Girl | January 10, 2011 at 09:21 PM
Man we have GOT to take one these cruises. Too Too Magical. I'm so excited for you (and trying desperately not to be jealous)! What a great trip.
Posted by: Molly | January 17, 2011 at 11:12 PM