Palma was founded in 1637 by the twins Carlo and Giulio Tomasi — ancestors of Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa — and "The Leopard" still breathes in these stones: the Tomasi ducal palace, the Benedictine monastery where the novel's "blessed Corbera" withdrew, the mother church atop its theatrical staircase. The prince's readers come here looking for Donnafugata, and find something of it.
Around, the Agrigento countryside of almonds and wheat descends toward Marina di Palma. A real town, not a film set: which is exactly what makes it memorable.
Arancina · Pasta alla Norma
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Next up: Our Lady of the Rosary, patroness of the city of the Tomasi di Lampedusa family, Wednesday 8 September
Nearest airport: Catania Fontanarossa, 119 km away
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📅 Every year, on 8 September
Palma di Montechiaro celebrates Our Lady of the Rosary on 8 September; its mother church, built in 1666, was commissioned by the Tomasi di Lampedusa family, who founded the city in 1637 and inspired one of their last descendants, Giuseppe, to write «The Leopard».
Saffron rice, ragù with peas and caciocavallo cheese inside a golden crust. Round and feminine in Palermo, pointed and called arancino in Catania: the quarrel is serious.
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The closest destinations covered by our editors, with straight-line distance.
