Sicilian Baroque architecture, Historical facts; After the devastating 1693 earthquake, a programme of reconstruction was introduced throughout eastern Sicily in the early 18th century. The architects entrusted with this task elaborated upon the achievements of 17th century Baroque architecture and […]
Monreale is the main attraction outside Palermo. Having grown up since the 13th century around the Benedectine monastery on the site, the current appearance of the town is Baroque, but it clusters round one of the rarest jewels of Italy’s […]
The town of Aci Trezza is a picturesque fishing village, part of Aci Castello, which was also the setting for Giovanni Verga’s Novel I Malavoglia as well as for Luchino Visconti‘s film adaptation, La Terra Trema. The small harbour faces […]
The Cathedral of Messina is in Piazza Duomo, in the heart of the town. Although it was reconstructed after the 1908 earthquake and 1943 bombings, it has preserved its medieval aspect. Built in 1197 by Henry VI Hohenstaufen The facade […]
In Caltanissetta, the 11th-century Norman Abbey commissioned by Roger I, is still considered one of the most interesting site of the area. In common with other hill towns of the interior, Caltanissetta was surrounded by medieval walls and then expanded […]
Sciacca, overwhelmed from a distance by Monte San Calogero, with its thermal waters and steam vapours, which have made the town famous over the centuries. Its hot springs had been used since prehistoric times. Sciacca used to be the outpost […]
Palazzo Adriano, is located on the ridge of Cozzo Braduscia, almost 700 metres (2,296ft) above sea level. Founded in the mid-15th century by Albanian refugees who fled from the Turkish conquerors. Central Piazza Umberto I boasts two important churches; Greek […]
Zafferana Etnea, of all the various inhabited centres nestling in the Etna Natural Park, is without a doubt one of the most characterful. Zafferana Etnea is a small town of clear blue skies, a mild climate and healthy air. The […]
Marzamemi stands on a small promontory and takes its name from the arab wards ” Marsa al hamen“, which mean ” road of the turtledoves”, in fact, its first inhabitants were Arabian people, who conquered Sicily in the IX century. […]
Historical facts of Avola. The older town of Avola used to lay on the Aquilone Mount around 8 Km north west of the current site. Completely destroyed by the earthquakes which devastated the Val di Noto, was rebuilt in the […]
The history of Piazza Armerina began in Norman times, however, in prehistoric times, people alredy lived here, in fact, archaeological finds from Monte Navone and Montagna di Marzo proved that. The area must have flourished in the Roman era, in […]
The Mysteries of the Cathedral of St Gerland. The Church of St Gerland is the most enchanting place in Agrigento. It has stood tall over the old town center for nine centuries, carefully guarding an array of mysterious objects and […]
The splendid town of Erice, perched on top of Monte San Giuliano, has very ancient origins, as is shown by the cult of the goddess of fertility, Venus Erycina. Laid out on a triangular plan, the town has preserved its […]
On the southern slopes of Monti Iblei the town of Modica rises up. The upper part is on a wedge of plateau, while the lower part surrounds it in the unusual shape of a “Y”. It has been described as […]
Enna is known as Sicily’s “Belvedere” (lookout point): it is located on high hill in the heart of the island, among fertile hills. Enna, has retained its historic appearance. Its architecture and layout still have a somber medieval feel, only […]
Marsala historical facts. The name Marsala is Arabic and derives from : Marsa alì or Marsa Allah (the port of Alì or God). Some traces of the old Arab town can still be seen in the modern urban layout. However, […]
The Arabs built the Royal Palace in Palermo over the ruins of a Roman fort in the 11th century. In the following century was enlarged and became the Royal Palace of the Norman King Roger II, with Arabs architects and […]
Sperlinga seems to have been pushed against a spectacular rock face, its parallel streets on different levels connected by steps. In the eastern section, right up to against the sandstone cliff, plenty troglodytic cave dwellings have been carved out. Until […]
The Pretoria fountain is on a slightly higher level then via Maqueda. Located in the middle of Palermo’s most intriguing square, It was designed in 1522 by Tuscan sculptor Francesco Camilliani for the garden of a florentine villa and was […]