Loggiato San Bartolomeo

The story

The Loggiato San Bartolomeo stands near Porta Felice, on the seaward end of the Cassaro, and was part of an old hospital: pilgrims and sailors landing in the city were taken in here.

The building, with its arcaded loggia on the street, has been through centuries of different uses and suffered damage during the 20th century.

After restoration it became a public exhibition space, used for temporary shows and cultural events.

Why it is worth it

It is the kind of place you find by chance on the way to the sea: a pale, shaded loggia with an exhibition inside almost every time. It is worth the pause for the arches alone, and for the view down the street, and for the feeling of having stepped into a piece of the city for nothing.