Perhaps not all of you know that St. Rosalia isn’t the only protector of Palermo: there is also the Genio di Palermo (Palermo genie), a supernatural entity who has been assigned the safeguard of the city centuries ago. It is represented as an old king with a beard divided in two and hugging a snake, an ambiguous symbol of fertility, physical prowess, caution, and knowledge. As the ages went by, the genie has been added other gadgets such a scepter, and “companions” such as a dog – symbolizing loyalty – and a bald eagle – symbolizing pride and freedom, as well as the city of Palermo The Palermo genie has been represented in different cultures and in both paintings and mosaics: the older Genio del Garraffo, in Sicilian Palermu u' granni (Palermo the Great), to distinguish it from the younger Palermu u' nicu (Palermo “the small”), and the Genio di Palazzo Pretorio. Where are the others? Come see for yourself!
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