PIAZZA PRETORIA: It is known also like “Piazza della Vergogna” for the nudity of the statues that decorate his fountain in the centre. This square is located aht the edge of district of “Kalsa”, near the cross between Cassaro and via Maqueda, not far from 4 Canti, the central point of historical centre. Overlooking it is Palazzo Pretorio, the Church of Santa Caterina, Palazzo Bordonaro and Palazzo Bonocore.
The main thing is Fontana Pretoria: the work of Francesco Camilliani, was built in the middle of XVI century and was purchased by the Senate of Palermo because it was intended to be located in Florence.
Wonderful are its tanks, the water games fed by Bacco, the statues that represente the gods of Olympus and the rivers of Palermo.
PIAZZA VIGLIENA: Known as Quattro Canti, Ottagono del Sole, Teatro del Sole, it is one of the most important squares in Palermo. Octagonal in shape, it is located at the intersection of the two main streets of the city: Via Maqueda and the Cassaro, today Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Vigliena was instead the name of a Spanish Viceroy, while Quattro Canti refers to the decorations that surround the octagon, inspired by the four seasons, to the four patron saints of the capital, to the four Spanish kings of Palermo and to four city districts.
PIAZZA INDIPENDENZA: It is one of the most important central squares of the city because near it , there are important buildings: Palazzo d'Orleans, the seat of the Sicilian Region Presidency, the Sicilian Regional Assembly, the Military District of Palermo and the Church of Our Lady of Remedies, once dedicated to Santa Teresa d'Avila. Do not miss one of the walls of the Palazzo dei Normanni, and the nearby green area with gardens and plants, ideal place to relax after a walk in the city.
PIAZZA BOLOGNI: Also known as Piazza Bologna, it is another of the important point of Palermo. It is a quadrangular square overlooked by wonderful buildings such as Palazzo Belmonte-Riso, Palazzo Alliata di Villafranca and Palazzo Ugo delle Favare. The bronze statue of Charles V by Scipione Li Volsi, dating back to the first half of the XVII century, shows the triumphal return of the king from Tunisi in 1535. Finally, a singular plaque at the center of the Palazzo Villafranca recalls the stop in this place of Giuseppe Garibaldi.
PIAZZA SAN DOMENICO: Historical square of the district La Loggia , is the ideal setting for the church of the same name, the second most important of the city after the Cathedral. At the center of the square stands the Colonna dell'Immacolata, a good example of Baroque art. Very beautiful is also the stone paving, also safeguarded by the careful choice to make the pedestrian square thus freeing it from the passage of cars.
It is good also to visit Piazza Marina, Piazza Politeama where is the theater – known like Piazza Castelnuovo- and Piazza della Vittoria.
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