Photos from Palermo and Sicily

Sicily is an emblem of civilization — and of globalization. Few places on earth have been so central to globalization in the past as this island off the toe of the boot of Italy.

With a population today of five million people, Sicily has been a crossroads of world civilizations for almost 3,000 years.

The magnificent architecture of the palaces and churches of its towns and cities (such as Palermo, Cefalu, Taormina, Messina, Erice, and Enna) covers the Romanesque, the Norman, the Gothic, the Renaissance and the Baroque eras.

Yet, in the early 21st century, with all the wealth Europe has accumulated, people should not have to live in such squalor as they do in Sicily.

As Jean-Pierre Lehmann's photography makes clear, poverty and neglect are hurting the beautiful urban landscapes in Palermo. Though Sicily's ancient monuments — such as Segesta, Solinunte, Agricento and Syracuse — are all well preserved, most of the cities are disintegrating.

Buildings that have been preserved for centuries seem destined to disappear very quickly. Walking around parts of Palermo and seeing so many totally dilapidated buildings is reminiscent of Sarajevo. But in Sarajevo, the decay was due to a very recent war.

However, in Palermo, the decay is due to general neglect — both locally and by Rome. Amazingly, buildings that were damaged by battles during World War Two over 60 years ago are still unrepaired. But grinding poverty leaves little resources — and perhaps even less reason — to maintain these ancient urban areas.

About Jean-Pierre Lehmann

Jean-Pierre Lehmann is professor of International Political Economy at IMD — a leading international business school, based in Lausanne, Switzerland.

He also is an adviser to WTO Director General, Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi.

In 1994, Mr. Lehmann established the Evian Group, a forum, thinktank and advocacy group. Composed of government, industry and opinion leaders mainly from Asia, Europe and America, it promotes improving global governance.

In the early 1960s, Mr. Lehmann began travelling and working extensively throughout Asia. In the past decade, he has undertaken projects in Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.

To read more about Palermo and Sicily click here.