Palermo is the seat of a university. (See PA LERMO. rNIVERSITY OF.) The c0111111111):11 library, rich in material on Sicilian history, has about 220.000 volumes and 3300 manuscripts. The na tional library has about 160.000 volumes. It together with the lyceum is established in the former New College of the Jesuits. There are in the city a Greek seminary, a conservatory of music, a royal observatory, two teachers' semi naries. the Societh per la Storia Patria, a sea men's school, an agricultural institute, a Circolo Filologico. a fine modern opera house, and the new theatre called Politeama.
The manufacturing interests are small. There is now a capacious shipbuilding yard. The com merce is growing. wine. oranges, lemons. sul phur, sumach, grain, and oils being conspicuous exports. Leading imports are coffee, sugar, coal, cotton and woolen goods, silks, and porcelain. The old harbor is the little La Cala, suitable only for small vessels. It is protected on the east by a long narrow mole reaching out toward another mole extending from the north. The new haven lies at the foot of Monte Pellegrino. The city is connected by rail with various parts of the island. Palermo is the sixth Italian port in importance and the third in Sicily. the num ber of ships entering and clearing in 1900 having been 6750, with a total tonnage of 3,330,000. The city is provided with electric tramways and a good water supply. At the head of the city government is a syndic. Palermo's great festi val is that of Saint Ro.salia, from July 11th to 15th. Regattas, races, and fireworks are its important features.
The environs, embellished with elaborate villas, are of great beauty and interest. A short
distance to the southwest ancient catacombs were discovered in 17S5. but were destitute of con tents. Monte Pellegrino offers a very attractive ascent and a remarkable view. On its side is found the famous grotto (now converted into a church) of Saint Rosa]ia. The royal chateau at the foot of the mountain is a splendid seat, with Chinese architectural features. The population of Palermo in 1901 was 309,694. It is the fifth Italian city in size.
The town (anciently Panormus or Panhornms) was of Phoenician origin. It was Carthaginian for a long time, until taken by the Romans in B.C. 254. Augustus established a colony here. The Byzantines took it from the Goths in A.D. 535. It was a wealthy and powerful Moslem centre after 830, and became the capital of the Normans in Sicily in 1072. In 1194 it passed to the Hohenstaufen. The Court of Frederick II. here was one of the most brilliant in Europe. In 1282 occurred the massacre of the French in Palermo, known as the Sicilian Vespers (q.v.). During the residence of the Spanish viceroys the city was a regal place, and much of its distinguishing architecture and many of its features date front this epoeh. It was the scene of revolutionary revolts in 1820, 1848-49, and 1860. and suffered much in consequence. Gari baldi entered the city in 1860. A national ex position was held here in 1890. Consult: Seim bring, Historische Topographic run Pa/10111111S (Lubeck. 1870) ; Freeman. Historical Essays, 3d series (London, 1879) id., History of Sicily I ib-• 18911: Arcoleo, Pa/cm° find die Knitur in Nirilien, trans. by Nolte (Dresden, 1900).