Founded by the Phoenicians in the VIII century BC, Palermo was chosen first for its strategic position, in the middle of the Mediterranean, bathed by the sea, surrounded by two rivers, Kemonia and Papireto, and protected by a promontory, Mount Pellegrino, creating a natural harbor protected from the weather and from attacks. Crossroads for many peoples and civilizations, the Phoenicians gave it the name of Zyz, meaning flower or beautiful. Later the name changed into Panormos, from the greek “all port”, until the Arab domination when there is  the phonetic change of the name into Balarm or Balarmuh.

With its 600 meters high Mount Pellegrino delimits the plain of Palermo rising on its gulf and overlooking the sea. “The most beautiful promontory in the world” by Goethe, it can be considered a natural symbol, an essential element of the surrounding landscape. Graffiti engraved on its walls dating back to the Paleolithic Era, the shrine of Saint Rosaly (patron saint of the city) and the prestigious Utveggio Castle, among its most precious jewels. Not to mention the inevitable breathtaking view over the sparkling blue of the bay. Have you never gone up there?

Today we reveal the origin of the name Amaltea.
Do you know that Amaltea was the goat that nursed infant Zeus? This one, after becoming the Gods’ Father, wanted to thank it giving a special power to its horns: the owner could get everything he wanted. Hence the legend of the “Plenty Horn”, or Cornu Copiae in latin, also known as the Amaltea’s Horn, usually filled with grain, flowers and fruit symbolizing prosperity. Hopefully it always brings good luck!