Quattro Canti in Palermo Video
In this video:
We are in the heart of Palermo’s historical center, Quattro Canti, the 4 corners or Piazza Vigliena or Piazza Villena when the Spanish ruled it.
The Quattro Canti in Palermo is the heart of Palermo’s historical center.
Italian Lesson:
The GL in Italian is pronounced like the LL in million in English.
It is similar to the LL in Spanish.
This square is the intersection of 2 streets in Palermo. The streets are Via Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda.
A peculiar thing about this square. It is octagonal in shape, not rectangular.
Built between 1609 and 1620
Also called Teatro del Sole or Theater of the Sun, because the sun always shines on one of the facades of the square.
Each level signifies our place here on earth.
Quattro Canti – Four Corners – What do they represent?
Bottom Level – The four fountains – the ancient rivers that flowed through Palermo
The next level up represent the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Winter and Fall.
The next level up from there represents the 4 Spanish kings that ruled Palermo at that time (1500s).
The highest level on the buildings represent the 4 patron saints of Palermo at that time. These saints were the patron saint of each of the quarters of Palermo.
Patron Saint Rosalia Palermo
There were 4 patron saints of Palermo when the Quattro Canti was built.
Then in the early 1600s, after a plaque, Santa Rosalia became the patron saint of Palermo. The plague was brought over from a ship in Tunisia.
Via Maqueda Palermo Pedestrian Zone
Via Maqueda – pedestrian zone with shop, restaurants and cafes. At night this becomes a popular area. Many nights there are musicians that play in this area. It is like an open-mic, I don’t believe they get permits or anything like that.
Legend has it that a woman was hiking on Monte Pellegrino and a vision of Santa Rosalia pointed to the late Saint’s remains. The remains were scientifically verified and then they paraded the remains through the streets and then the plague disappeared. She is credited for ending the plague. After that she became the patron saint of Palermo.
Piazza Pretoria
There are also scenes in this video of Piazza Pretoria or the Fountain of Shame. In Italian it’s also called Piazza della Vergogna.
Piazza Pretoria and the Quattro Canti were designed by Florentine sculptors and architects.
The Quattro Canti in Palermo is truly an architectural masterpiece and must-stop to visit on your trip to Palermo.
You may be interested in:
Palermo Travel Guide on Amazon | German Version of Palermo Travel Book
Visit Palermo Sicily on Vacation – a City Full of Charm
