law have been taught there since the late 15th century. The Orto botanico di Palermo (Palermo botanical gardens) is home to the university's Department of Botany and is also open to visitors. International relations Twin towns – sister cities Palermo is twinned with: Bizerte, Tunisia Bukavu, DR of the Congo Chengdu, China Düsseldorf, Germany Grand-Bassam, Ivory Coast Hanoi, Vietnam Khan Yunis, Palestine Miami, United States Monterey, United States Montpellier, France Ottawa, Canada Palermo, Argentina Palermo, Colombia Pistoia, Italy Samara, Russia Santiago de Cuba, Cuba Sestu, Italy Tbilisi, Georgia Timișoara, Romania Valletta, Malta Yaroslavl, Russia Notable people Eleonora Abbagnato (born 1978), ballet dancer Simonetta Agnello Hornby (born 1945), writer Emerico Amari (1810–1870), politician Roberto Andò (born 1959), film director Lucio Maria Attinelli (born 1933), journalist and writer Aldo Baglio (born 1958), actor Pietro Ballo (born 1952), tenor Mario Balotelli (born 1990), footballer Mario Bardi (1922–1998), painter Ernesto Basile (1857–1932), architect Letizia Battaglia (1935–2022), photographer, photojournalist, and politician Francesco Benigno (born 1967), actor Alfredo Bordonali (born 1919), football player Paolo Borsellino (1940–1992), judge Luigi Maria Burruano (1948-2017), actor Tommaso Buscetta (1928–2000), member and notable pentito of the Sicilian Mafia Lando Buzzanca (1935-2022), actor Alessandro Cagliostro (1743-1795), magician (paranormal) and adventurer Stanislao Cannizzaro (1826–1910), chemist Bruno Caruso (1927–2018), painter, illustrator, graphic designer and political activist Marco Cecchinato (born 1992), tennis player Daniele Ciprì (born 1962), film director Max Crivello (born 1958), illustrator and painter Giovanni Falcone (1939–1992), judge Salvatore Ficarra (born 1971), actor Vincenzo Florio (1883–1959), entrepreneur, heir of the rich Florio economic dynasty, founder of the Targa Florio Corrado Fortuna (born 1978), actor Franco Franchi (1928–1992), actor Pia Giancaro (born 1950), Italian retired actress Claudio Gioè (born 1975), actor Filippa Giordano (born 1974), singer Libero Grassi (1924–1991), businessman Ciccio Ingrassia (1922–2003), actor Beniamino Iraci (born 1989), professional football player Ugo La Malfa (1903–1979), politician Luigi Lo Cascio (born 1967), actor Rosalia Lombardo (1918–1920), known as the Sleeping Beauty Louise of Orléans (1812–1850), Queen of The Belgians Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies (1806–1878), Queen of Spain Filippo Mancuso (1922–2011), magistrate and Italian Minister of Justice Franco Maresco (born 1958), film director Sergio Mattarella (born 1941), president of Italy Giovanni Meli (1740–1815), poet and playwright Silvio Micali (born 1954), computer scientist Gabriele Minì (born 2005), racing driver Vittorio Emanuele Orlando (1860–1952), Prime Minister of Italy Sophia Petrillo (born 1905), character on The Golden Girls Valentino Picone (born 1971), actor Pif (television host) (born