A Grand Palermo Courtyard Makes the Case for Slower City Travel

A large arcaded courtyard can stop a visitor in mid-stride. The repeated arches frame the space with an almost musical regularity, while the open center makes the building feel surprisingly calm.

Palermo has many headline attractions, but this kind of interior space offers a different experience. It encourages you to look at how a building works, how light travels across stone and how the architecture guides movement.

Photograph hosted by VirtualTravelGuide.com.

When you find an accessible courtyard, take a moment before taking out the camera. The best composition may come from standing back and letting the arches repeat across the frame rather than isolating one decorative feature.

Combine this slower approach with a conventional walk through the old town. A city becomes more memorable when there is room for small discoveries between its best-known stops.

For more sights, see the Palermo must-see guide.