Description
Sicily’s natural and cultural beauty are famous all over the world. This beauty is starkly contrasted by the realities of organized crime. With this weekend in Palermo and Corleone, you’ll discover Sicily beyond the surface of stereotypes. You’ll learn about the daily efforts of generations of Sicilians who dedicate themselves to the fight against the mafia.
Sicily’s famous good food and beauty are of course part of the package - and you can be sure that you won’t leave a cent to Cosa Nostra!
Program:
Friday: Arrival – Antimafia Walking Tour Palermo
We recommend arrival by lunchtime for a relaxed check-in at the bed and breakfast, which is possible starting at 2:00 pm.
Please note that the B&B chosen all belong to the Addiopizzo circuit - they are structures that have decided to openly take sides and refuse to pay the mafia.
4:00 pm: Appointment with the cultural mediator for the Antimafia Walking Tour Palermo. Discover the Sicilian capital led by an activist from Addiopizzo through an itinerary along highly symbolic places in the fight against the Mafia.
The itinerary starts at the Opera House Teatro Massimo. Passing through the Capo market area and the Piazza della Memoria at the courthouse, it continues towards the piazza Quattro Canti, piazza Pretoria and City Hall, and piazza Magione. Along the way, your guide will share reflections on the Mafia and on civil mobilization against Mafia power. You will also meet some of the businesses who said no to paying the extortion money by joining the Addiopizzo campaign "I pay who does not pay" ("Pago chi non paga" in Italian) in support of those who resist the Mafia.
At the end of the itinerary, a traditional Palermo street food tasting will be waiting for you at the Antica Focacceria San Francesco, which has been cooking the traditional Palermo street food since 1834. The owners denounced extortionists in 2006, becoming the symbol of Palermo antiracket rebellion.
Return to B&B and overnight.
Saturday: Corleone, an uncommon place
Breakfast. Transfer by chauffeur-driven car to Corleone (PA), where there a local guide will offer an introduction on the history of Corleone beyond the stereotype of the mafia. Among the stops is the Laboratory of Legality, founded in a building that was confiscated from the mafia family Provenzano. The laboratory hosts the paintings of Gaetano Porcasi, a Sicilian painter committed to the anti-mafia fight. Return to Palermo, free time to relax or for shopping. Overnight stay at B&B.
Sunday: Palermo – Departure
Breakfast and check-out. The day off is your opportunity to take advantage of the many cultural resources that Palermo offers today. The organization will also provide advice on activities and visits that you can make yourself, as well as a calendar of events scheduled for the weekend.
Additional information
Languages: Italian and English, available upon request.
Note: we recommend comfortable shoes.
The tour can be booked up to 15 days before.
