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Palermo is old, and
in spite of certain "beauty marks," it looks it. The Phoenicians
established a trading post here in the 8th century. In time Palermo
became the Carthaginian center of Sicily. When the Roman conquest came
in 254 B.C., Palermo went into decline, as the new conquerors shifted
their power and trading to Syracuse on the east coast.
Palermo's Arab-Norman buildings have no equal on the planet, and the
entire city is a treasure trove of museums (often dusty, forgotten ones)
and baroque oratories. Its outdoor markets, such as raucous Vucceria,
evoke North Africa and are still dominated by the influence of the Arabs
who departed centuries ago.
Palermo only belatedly came to realize the greatness of its
architectural heritage. Interest in restoration has at long last arrived.
The Massimo Theater was restored and reopened in 1997, and old and
historic quarters, such as Kalsa, are being restored and given a new
lease on life with the opening of restaurants, galleries, and cafes. In
Palermo, there is hope for the future.
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