Palermo

Palermo is a city and municipality in Southern Italy, situated in the island of Italy on the Tyrrhenian sea and is the cultural, economic and tourist capital of the region of Sicily. This city is over 2,700 years old. Palermo has its own culture and, unparalleled style and an original atmosphere, thus attracts many tourists!
I like the square Quattro Canti- Piazza Vigliena- built in the Baroque style, located in historical centre of Palermo. And, admittedly, this city is very deprived, but for me as a toruist is very interesting place, because is distinguished by its otherness, authenticity and mysteriousness... Walking down the street in Palermo, there is very loudly and there is many people. 
As regards a typical tourist place, it's definitely- the Catacomb in Convento dei Cappuccini in Palermo, yes, this place is overwhelming, but certainly is worth visiting. And the chapel in Palace of the Normans (Palazzo dei Normanni) you have to see! 
This city is very original for Street Art- numerous graffiti on the walls, for example in the district Kelsa and Borgo Vecchio. I recommend this place, because I am convinced that Palermo you will be awesome for you :-)

J.

Quattro Canti, Piazza Vigliena, a Baroque square in Palermo, 

Sicily, Italy

The street art in Palermo

La Grande Bellezza

"The Great Beauty" in italian "La Grande Bellezza" is an italian-french drama film, directed by Paolo Sorrentino in 2013. This film won an Oscar and at Cannes Film Festival in the same year. The leading role in film played Toni Servillo as Jep Gambardella. "The Great Beauty" presents a story about man, who has 65 years old, is an unsatisfied artist, journalist and lives in Rome. Jep spends a lot of time on big, noisy parties and passing affairs. His life is full of pleasure, although empty, superficial without values. When he finds out the death of woman, who loved years ago, his life changes dramatically, this causes that he start thinking about his past life. In this film is presented a gorgeous image of Rome and many other image of the beauty until the luxurious life, creating even the impression of dream and surrealistic dimension. In my view, this film is too long, because is three hours long... But it's important to be prepared for watching a film of this specific type.
I recommend you to watch this beautiful film! ;-)

J.

Elsa Morante

Elsa Morante is an italian writer- novelist, first wife of Alberto Moravia (my favourite italian writer, I has already written on my blog about him). Her novels are identified by poetry in beauty or the evocation of feeling and penetrating analysis of characters. The books best known are: "La storia"- "History" a story about Rome during World War II and "L'isola di Arturo"- "Arturo's Island"- according to me the plot of this book is very interesting and he book grabs my attention from the start! ;-) I would recommend you! I also read "Aracoeli" her last novel, which present the relationship between mother and son. In Poland Elsa Morante isn't as well famous as in Italy, but should be. Her works were published by house Einaudi and were translated into many languages. The writing stile of this italian novelist is very specific and original and for this reason I would encourage you to read some her novel, because are noteworthy!


J. 

The book cover of "Arturo's Island" of Elsa Morante

Cannoli

When I was recently in Sicily in the region of Italy, I tasted this sicilian specialty- Cannoli. 

Cannoli in the sicilian dialect "cannolu", what means "little tube" is a dessert and come frome the Palermo. This sweet is also popular in American cuisine. Cannoli consist of a tube of fried pastry dough, which is similar to dough of polish "faworki" and filled with a creamy filling with ricotta. There are many sizes of Cannoli, for example "cannulicchi"- the size of the finger, which are very popular in south Palermo. There are many tipes of filling- with ricotta or vanilla pudding, different kinds of additives: colourful sweets, grated chocolate, nuts or candied fruit.

The history of this dessert is very interesting. Cannoli was treated during Carnevale season in Messina and is a symbol of fertility.

J.