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La Kalsa is the southern corner of the old part of Palermo. The name comes from the Arabic word meaning pure and was designed by the Saracens. This area was one of the worse hit during the war and being the poorest part of the city, there has not been much repair. It is therefore the part most rampant with crime. In contrast it is here, however, that you can find some of the city's most incredible builings and churches alongside some wonderful natural green spots. The most impressive of these is the city's main park Villa Giulia, a beautiful eighteenth century gardens with botanical gardens and a bandstand for traditional entertainment of an evening. Nearby following the palm lined street leads to the graceful church of La Magione. This Norman church was built in 15151 of simple design to emphasize the apse at the back of the church that places you on the edge of the city. IN the area you can also find the regional gallery housed in the fifteenth century Palazzo Abatellis down by the sea. Down the road is the church of San Francesco d'Assisi, a thirteenth century structure unusual for the fact that the simple exterior is continued internally as all of the Baroque trappings have been removed. The baroque presence in the area is represented with the gate of Porta Felice started in 1582 as a counterpart to the Porta Nuova. Beyond the gate is the second largest palace of the city that was the ex headquarters of the inquisition. |