Greek, Roman, Arab, Norman, Swabian: throughout the centuries, Palermo was ruled by different civilizations and this is reflected in the city’s architecture, a mixture of Arabesque and Norman magnificence, of Baroque and Liberty styles.

The multi-ethnic past of Palermo is visible in the Cathedral, one of the most important historic buildings and a Unesco World Heritage site, erected in 1184 by the Archbishop Gualtiero Offamilio, in honor of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It was repeatedly remodeled, restored and altered, resulting in the presence of different styles.