The historical markets of Palermo are something so wonderful and suggestive that cannot be easily described with words. They really are living open air monuments.
Visiting these markets throw you into an unknown and timeless dimension; the products, the shouts of sellers, the colors and fragrances are still the same for centuries.
The oldest market of Palermo is Ballarò, the origins of this market can be traced back even to the tenth century at the time of Arab domination in Sicily. Balhara was the name of a village of Arab traders who used to sell spices and precious goods at the market. That was the Suq Al-Balhara, converted from Palermo in Ballarò.
Among the Ballarò stalls and shops you can buy meat and fresh fish, fruit and vegetables from the Sicilian countryside, cheese and candies.
The sulfur of Sicily was one of the most important mineral resources of Sicily,
which is not used anymore.
The area is the center of the island and is located between the cities of Caltanissetta, Enna and Agrigento.
For a time it also represented the highest production area in the world.
Trabonella mine is a sulfur mine located in the city of Caltanissetta,
close to the station of Himera.
Owned by the baron Morillo and heirs, he opened the business in 1825 and has been one of the major sulfur mines of Sicily.
The Solfatara was already active in 1839; it was closed in 1979, although some outdoor facilities remained in operation until 1986.
