STORY
Sicily is the largest region in Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean. Its area is 25,426 sq. Km, population - 5,100,805 people.
The material traces of the most ancient peoples that we have (dwellings in the rocks and cave paintings) date back to the beginning of the Stone Age. In the 13th century. BC. Sicily was conquered by the Siculs, which gave the name to the island. Then - Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, barbarians, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, French, Spaniards ...
Sicily is an island of myths and legends that have come to life. Cyclops and Listrigones, described by Homer and Virgil, lived here. The boulders that the terrible Cyclops Polyphemus threw on the ships of Odysseus after their tragic meeting in a cave at the top of Mount Etna are still scattered along the southern coast of the island, and to this day, both shores of the Strait of Messina, which connects Sicily with the Apennine Peninsula, are guarded by the monsters Scylla and Harbid. that ruined the lives of many sailors.
Sicily is called the island of the god Helios (Sun).
CLIMATE
This is the sunniest island in the Mediterranean: the number of hours of sunshine on average reaches 2500 per year, while in mainland Italy 2000, and in the south of France 1800. The maximum temperature is recorded in July - August: an average of +26 C, the sea warms up to + 25 C and remains warm until mid-November.
PALERMO
Founded by the Phoenicians almost three thousand years ago. The central street of Palermo is via Vittorio Emanuele. Of undoubted interest is Vigliena Square in the very center of the ancient part of the city, the Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti, the Cathedral, the Norman Palace - it houses the Sicilian Parliament, the Admiral's Church, the Chiaramonte Palace. Not far from Piazza Vigliena there is a signpost - Casa Cagliostro, where in 1743 Giuseppe Balsamo, better known as Count Cagliostro, was born.
Since 1946 Palermo is the administrative center of the autonomous region of Sicily, a modern and very active city.
CHEFALU
It was founded not in the place of an ancient city at the foot of a cliff (the remains of the megalithic walls date back to the 5th century BC). Of greatest interest is the Cathedral, built in 1130 by the will of the Norman king, who, according to legend, vowed to erect a cathedral if he emerges safe and sound from the storm that overtook his ship on the Way to Palermo.
RIDING
An ancient city that emerged in 729 BC. It is a volcano city built from dark volcanic stone. During its history, Catania was destroyed six times by Etna to the ground, but it was always rebuilt again from the same basalt.
Now it is a beautiful city with magnificent palaces and cathedrals. The symbol of the city is an elephant. Main attractions: The sculpture of an elephant with an Egyptian obelisk in the Duomo square, Ursino Castle, Duomo, Bellini opera house, Roman amphitheater - the second largest in Italy after the Roman Colosseum.
Catania is home to the most elegant boutiques not only in Sicily, but throughout Italy. From here you can observe Etna, unique in its beauty, which is located 28 km from the city.
SYRACUSES
Founded in 734 BC. immigrants from Greece. Many times passed from hand to hand, were under the rule of the Athenians, Romans, Arabs, Normans. For a long time it was considered the largest city in Sicily and even the most populated in the entire ancient world.
In the archaeological zone of Syracuse, of interest is the Greek theater and the Roman amphitheater (1st century BC), a grotto called "The Ear of Dionysius" (legend says that the Syracuse Tyrant used his peculiar acoustics and imprisoned his enemies there in order to eavesdrop on their conspiracies) , catacombs of Saint Giovanni, Aretusa fountain.
In Syracuse, there is the Cathedral of Santa Lucia, where those who suffer from eye diseases come with prayers for recovery. They buy a small eye mask and place it in a designated area of the cathedral. They say that the saint's mercy is not long in coming ...
Taormina
One of the most beautiful cities in Sicily. The first mention of it dates back to the Bronze Age, when a small group of people settled on the top of Mount Tauro on the Ionian coast of the island. In the 5th century BC. residents of neighboring Naxos, destroyed by Dionysius of Syracuse, find shelter here.
Today Taormina is rightfully recognized as the center of Sicilian tourism and is a fashionable resort. Writers and poets, musicians and artists, princes and heads of government, as well as movie and show business stars have chosen Taormina as their destination.
Of interest are the Greek Theater, the Ducal Palace di San Stefano, Palazzo Corvayo, and located at the highest point - a powerful medieval castle, from where a panoramic view of Calabria, the Ionian coast of Sicily and Mount Etna opens.
Messina
Since ancient times, the city has been called the "gateway" of Sicily. It is only 3 km from the coast of Calabria. It was founded in the VIII century. BC. In Greek and Roman times, Messina flourished, and so much so that it was, according to Cicero, "a very large and very rich city." In 1783 and 1908 the city was destroyed by earthquakes. At the beginning of the 20th century, Messina was completely restored. Of interest is the Cathedral's Clock Tower, which houses the world's largest and most accurate clock. They consist of a perpetual calendar, an astronomical calendar, and a clock.
AGRIGENTO
Formerly Akragas, founded in the 6th century BC. It is famous for the Valley of Temples, the Temple of Juno - the patroness of marriage, the Temple of Concord, the Temples of Hercules and Olympian Zeus, as well as the dungeon of purgatory - a huge complex of underground galleries.
Etna
The highest (3343 m) active volcano in Europe. In total, there are 135 eruptions of this volcano in history. Lava, ash and black sand - almost lunar landscapes will be found here by a tourist who dared to climb to the top. Etna in Sicily is present in everything: from unpretentious crafts made of solidified lava and a strong drink called the Fire of Etna, to magnificent cathedrals built from basalt from a volcanic eruption.
Sicily is located on the island of the same name off the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The total area, together with the nearby islands, is 25.7 thousand km², which is 8.5% of the entire territory of the country. The population is 5,019 million people (9% of the population of Italy). Sicily includes adjacent to it - Pelagian, Ustica, Pantelleria and Aegadian.
The region is divided into nine provinces, and the administrative center of the island and the region is the city (Palermo), which has 651 thousand inhabitants, and 945 thousand people with its suburbs.
Geography
Major cities: Mazara del Vallo, Acireale, (Agrigento), Vittoria, Bagheria, (), (), Ragusa, (Catania), Gela ( Gela), (Marsala), (Siracusa), (Messina).
The largest island in the Mediterranean. It is separated from the Apennine Peninsula by the Strait of Messina, from Africa by the Sicilian, and from the island of Malta by the Strait of Malta. In the south and west, the island of Sicily is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, in the north by the Tyrrhenian Sea, and in the east by the Ionian Sea. The coastline is 1,039 kilometers long.
Climate
Mediterranean type, with mild rainy winters and hot dry summers. The average temperature in Palermo in January is +10.3 ° С, and in July +23.6 ° С. Mountains cover 25% of the island's territory, 61% hilly and 14% plain. In the southeast of the island there is the highest active volcano in all of Europe - Etna (3340 m). All the rivers of Sicily are short: Simeto, Alcantara, Platani, Salso. Pergusa is the only lake of natural origin located in central Sicily. The shores of the island are indented by numerous bays: Augusta, Noto, Gela, Catania, Castellammare, Milazzo, and others.
Transport
At the moment, several modern ones have been built on the island: Catania - Palermo and Messina - Catania. Over the past hundred years, the quantity and quality of railways has hardly changed.
Is part of the transport system of Sicily. Most of the region's rail network is owned by the Italian national company Ferrovie dello Stato and has standard European gauge. The only exception is the narrow gauge railway Ferrovia Circumetnea.
There are direct passenger trains to connect Sicily with and. And since Sicily has no connection with mainland Italy by tunnel or bridge, trains are transported by ferry across the Strait of Messina.
In two cities of Sicily, and Palermo, there is a subway, and in - a tram.
The international airport is located in Palermo, while the local airports are in Trapani and Catania.
Industry
Industry plays a very important role in the economy of this area, it is represented here in two sectors: modern, in the provinces of Messina, Agrigento, Syracuse, Catania and Caltanissetta, and traditional, which is common throughout Sicily. Among modern industries, oil refining, petrochemical, electronic, metalworking, machine-building, and chemical are distinguished. And among the traditional industries is the food industry, primarily the production of pasta, canned vegetables and olive oil.
Also in Sicily, mining is very developed: oil, natural gas, sulfur, sodium chloride and potassium salt.
Agriculture
Agriculture is successfully developing in Sicily, thanks to the fertile soils and the mild climate of the coastal plains. About 650 thousand hectares on the island are allocated for sowing agriculture.
Even the instability of the water supply is not a hindrance for agriculture to be one of Sicily's most important economic resources. The production of cereals is very important here, for example, wheat is one of the most valuable types of hard grain, necessary for the production of the best varieties of pasta. Olives are grown here in significant quantities, from which high-quality olive oil is later produced.
The most important fruit grown in Sicily is persimmon, for which the Misilmeri commune is famous. There, a holiday dedicated to this fruit is celebrated in November. Fruit cultivation is economically important for the island, and it grows exotic fruits such as mango and kiwi, as well as bananas, almonds and pistachios.
Floriculture is also developed here. Mostly orchids are grown to suit the local climate. Sicilian flowers are exported to European countries.
In addition to all this, beekeeping is also developed in Sicily.
Fishing
Fishing is a precious resource in Sicily. There are many large fishing ports on the island. The backbone of the fishing industry is mackerel, sardines, tuna and anchovies, all typical blue fish of the Mediterranean, supplying the canning industry with all the necessary materials for the production of canned fish and smoked fish.
Breeding of goldfish, oysters, catfish, and some other molluscs is also practiced here.
Story
Sicily is easily accessible by sea, which is why it was almost the first of the inhabited regions of Italy.
The first traces of man on the island date back to the Paleolithic era. In the early Neolithic period (7000–6000 BC), the region was inhabited by bearers of the Cardiac pottery culture. Until the beginning of the early literary era, the development of Sicily took place almost simultaneously with the neighboring island of Malta, where the same cultures dominated. The only exception was the absence of megalithic temples on the island, which gives historians reason to believe that in relation to Malta, Sicily could occupy a subordinate position.
The oldest known stories of the inhabitants of the island are the Sikans, Siculs and Elimians. The Phoenicians came to the territory for them. The Greeks invaded Sicily in the 8th century BC. They rebuilt the Phoenician settlements and founded a number of new colonies (Catania, Palermo, Agrigento, Messina, Syracuse). They gave impetus to the development of agriculture and trade. At that time the island was called Trinacria, which really characterized the shape of the island. Most of the Greek cities were located on the east and south coast of the island. These cities developed very quickly and became the centers of the Greek civilization of the central Mediterranean. Some of the many structures from this era; survived to this day.
The famous Greek scientist Archimedes was born and died in Syracuse. The poets Theocritus and Pindar, Aeschylus, the philosophers Plato, Pythagoras, Diodorus, Gorgias and Empedocles also lived here at different times. And Sicily became at that time the center of Greek science and culture.
The era of Greek rule was accompanied by continuous internecine wars. And during the first Punic War, the island became the arena of battles between the Carthaginians and the Romans.
In 227 BC. Sicily became a province of Rome, and was turned by the Romans into the granary of the republic. New roads were built here, existing settlements were fortified. But the increased exploitation of a large number of slaves who labored on local latifundia led to slave revolts that escalated into wars.
Sicily was invaded by the Vandals and the Goths in the 5th century AD, in 535 the Byzantine rule was established on the island, and in the 9th-11th centuries Sicily was plunged into raids by Saracen pirates.
In 1061, Sicily was invaded by the Normans, creating the Kingdom of Sicily. Their reign contributed to the return of the island to its former prosperity. The port of Palermo was fortified and expanded, and the city of Palermo was practically rebuilt. Agricultural production has grown significantly due to irrigation. Many new crops were grown, such as jasmine, cotton, sugarcane and citrus fruits.
In 1266 Charles I of Anjou took possession of the Sicilian kingdom. A popular uprising broke out against him in 1282, as a result of which the Anjou dynasty lost its power over Sicily. After that, the Aragonese established themselves on the island.
To the Bourbon dynasty, power in Sicily passed in the 17th century according to the Utrecht peace. Then the cultural and political center moved to Naples.
Sicily became part of the united Italian state in 1860, and in 1946 received the status of an autonomous region.
The Sicilians were very good at cooking, in which they added watermelon, pistachios, almonds, cinnamon and jasmine. Also famous all over the world are Sicilian - strong, tart and noble "Faro di Messina", "Regaleali", "Nero D'Avola", "Marsala", "Moscato", and others. It is also produced in Sicily, which is deservedly considered one of the best in the world.
You should also try purely Sicilian desserts and dishes such as Cassata, Cannoli Siciliani made from sheep cheese, aromatic Limoncello liqueur, and dishes such as Parmiggiana and Caponata di melanzane.
Tourism and attractions
Sicily is one of the most beautiful and interesting islands in the Mediterranean, it has managed to preserve its pristine beauty. These are bizarre cliffs in numerous bays and coves, beautiful sandy beaches, valleys immersed in the greenery of citrus and olive orchards, majestic mountains, Etna, the highest active volcano.
Palermo is the administrative center, as well as the largest city and port of the island of Sicily, located on the northern coast. It was founded by the Phoenicians. Since 1130, the city of Palermo has become the seat of the kings of the Kingdom of Sicily. The local attractions are the Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti and Martorana, which combine the Romanesque style with elements of Byzantine and Arab architecture. Palazzo Reale is a Royal Palace that was rebuilt from an Arab fortress. Another monument of architecture in Palermo is the famous Cathedral, whose construction was started back in 1170. The best museums in Palermo are the National Gallery, the National Archaeological Museum, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Cathedral Treasury and the Ethnographic Museum.
The town of Enna is of great interest to tourists; it is located in the central part of the island. The founders of this city were the Greeks, but then it came under the rule of Rome. Here a major slave uprising began in 136 BC, led by the Syrian Euno. This uprising was then spread throughout the island, and even escalated into a war that lasted seven years. Here in ancient times, the cult of the goddess of fertility, Demeter, was quite widespread, therefore, in this area they were mainly engaged in agriculture. And at the highest point of Enna, the temple of Demeter was built.
Remains of ancient Greek temples have been preserved near Agrigento and Messina. The erection of cathedrals in Montreal and Cefal dates back to the Norman period. They are well preserved, and in their interiors you can see beautiful mosaics that were made by Byzantine craftsmen.
Mount Etna can be recommended for climbing lovers of active tourism. In clear weather, a wonderful panorama of the entire island opens from it. Snow on this mountain lies almost until the end of May, so you can ski here both in winter and in spring.
Not only a bridge between Europe and Africa, but also a platform between the eastern and western Mediterranean. The island was once at the center of the world.
Here peoples constantly changed - mythical and historical, one after another, one instead of the other. "They say that the most ancient among them were the Cyclops and Listrigones," writes in the 5th century BC. Tricidid. - "Immediately after them, the Sikans settled here, in all likelihood ... And therefore the island was named Sikania, while earlier it was known as Tricankria."
Later, Siculas arrived here, and the island began to be called Sikela (Sicily), a name that has survived to this day.
"On the entire territory of the island," continues Tucidides, "there were also Phoenicians, but when a large number of Greeks arrived from across the sea, they left the greater territory of the country ...".
The Greeks landed near Taormina in the early summer of 734 BC. For Sicily, this was a turning point, marking the beginning of the island's own history. The very name that the Greeks gave to Sicily and the southern provinces of Italy - Greater Greece - suggests that for the Greeks Sicily was not just another colonization of new territories, but rather fate. It is no coincidence that in Sicily the Greeks abandoned their traditional self-designation "Hellene" and began to call themselves "Sikeliotes". The root of this word contains the image and idea of Sicily. Several generations have changed, and Sicily has not only reached the level of Magna Graecia, but has become even richer and more powerful.
The Greek language spread almost over the entire territory of the island, historians, poets, and philosophers wrote in it. Along the coast, the Greeks founded dozens of cities, some of them, like Syracuse, Catania, Taormina, Gela, Agrigento, have survived to this day. In these cities, among other monuments and buildings, the Greeks erect famous theaters and temples, which constituted the most important cultural heritage of ancient Sicily.
The ancient Greeks called Sicily Trinacria for a reason - 3 capes give it the shape of a triangle: the shores of Sicily are washed by three seas - the Ionian, Mediterranean and Tyrrhenian. Sicily includes 3 archipelagos: the Aeolian (Lipari), Aegadian and Pelagian Islands, Sicily is separated from the Apennine Peninsula by the Strait of Messina, the width of which at its narrowest point is 3 km. And even Etna, the largest active volcano in Italy, surpasses its "neighbor" Vesuvius by almost 3 times.
When the Greeks sailed to the shores of Sicily, various nationalities already lived there, but only the Phoenicians could provide them with worthy resistance or compete. Arriving on the island from Lebanon long before the Greeks, the Phoenicians founded several cities here, among which were Mozia, on an island near Marsala, and Palermo, which later became the capital of Sicily and today has 700,000 inhabitants. In 241 BC. Sicily becomes a Roman province. Unlike the Greeks, who decorated the island with wonderful works of art and turned Agrigento into one of the most beautiful cities of the ancient world, the Romans systematically plunder Sicily and actually turn it into an agrarian appendage of the Roman Empire, into a kind of slave-owning latifundia. During the Roman period, a small number of new buildings were erected, architects are more engaged in the restoration of Greek theaters intended for comedy performances and tragedies, as well as old circuses, in the arenas of which gladiator fights are held. The only thing left of the Romans is the ruins of country villas. Some of them are distinguished by great luxury, which speaks of the high standard of living of the Roman rulers, their delicate taste and love for exquisite entertainment. Passing through Silesia, Germany, France and Spain, the vandals reached Morocco, and then, having conquered Algeria, settled in Tunisia. From here a strong flotilla of vandals headed for Sicily.
Vandals ruled the island from 468 to 476, leaving no monuments behind. They were followed by the Ostrogoths, who occupied Sicily until 535, until the island was conquered by the Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantium.
In 827 a new page in the history of Sicily was opened: Muslims landed on the island from Tunisia. In 831, the main city of the island, Palermo, fell, which later became the capital of Muslim Sicily, proclaimed in 948 as an independent emirate. Almost 250 years of Muslim domination left an imprint not only on history, but also on the culture of the island, giving it a special character and determined its further development.
In 1061, the invasions of the Normans begin. Having set out on conquests from Normandy, where they settled about a century ago, this people of Scandinavian origin, also called "northern people", "Vikings" or "Varangians", simultaneously occupy Sicily and England.
The Sicilian Operation or Operation Husky is one of the main military operations of the Second World War. A large-scale amphibious operation (the largest at the time) was followed by six weeks of fighting on land. As a result of this operation, Benito Mussolini was removed from power, and Sicily was freed from fascism.
The war with Sicily lasted 30 years and ended in 1091 mountains. In 1130, the Norman Roger II initiated the Sicilian monarchy. Thus, after the Greek and Muslim periods, a new milestone begins in the history of Sicily. This new Sicilian-Norman kingdom was distinguished by its ethnic diversity and cultural identity. Palermo's gleaming cosmopolitan courtyard is beginning to attract the finest artists and scientists from all European countries. Thanks to the patronage of King Roger II, the most famous astronomers, geographers, mathematicians, philosophers, sculptors, architects and artists of the 12th century come to Palermo. Remarkable masters of architecture and mosaics erect magnificent, richly decorated churches throughout Sicily. Thanks to the flexible policy of the king, it is possible to harmoniously combine the various cultures represented on the island: Greek, Muslim, Jewish. After the death of the childless Wilhelm II, the crown passes to the son of Emperor Frederick I, emperor of the 1st German Reich, Henry IV. The latter was married to Roger's daughter P Costanza. Thus, power passed to the Staufen dynasty, who continued the policy of the Norman kings.
Thanks to the educational activities of King Frederick II, the Palermo court continues to be the largest multinational cultural center in Europe; the first poetic works in Italian were also created here.
In 1268, the crown of the Kingdom of Sicily passes to the French dynasty of the Anjou, who defeated the Staufens. In 1282 a revolt, known in history as the "Sicilian Vespers", broke out against them. Twenty years later, in 1302, the Aragonese dynasty was established in Sicily, and the long period of Spanish rule began, ending in 1713. In 1815, by the decision of the Congress of Vienna, Sicily under the name "Kingdom of the Two Sicilies" was transferred to the Neapolitan kings of the Bourbon dynasty, who ruled the island until 1860. In the same year, Garibaldi's expedition unleashed a revolution here that overthrew the rule of the Bourbons. In 1861, after a referendum, Sicily decides to become part of the Italian state. The last important historical event in Sicily was the landing of the allied troops that had come from Tunisia on the night of July 9-10, 1943. As a result of the "Sicilian Operation", carried out by the joint efforts of the Americans, British, French, New Zealanders, Australians and Poles, Sicily was freed from the Nazis.
The history of Sicily is full of bright events and unexpected turns. The island has been inhabited since time immemorial, in the 8th century BC. here the Phoenicians and ancient Greeks founded their colonies. For several centuries, bloody wars unfolded on the Sicilian lands. Then Sicily was part of the Roman Empire, and after its fall in the 5th century it was successively conquered by the Vandals, Visigoths, Byzantines, Arabs and Normans, the latter founded the Sicilian kingdom, which existed from 1130 to the 13th century. Then the Angevins came to power, and after the Aragonese and Sicily became part of the Spanish kingdom. For some time, the island was under the control of the Savoy dynasty and Austria, and at the end of the 18th century the Bourbon rule was established, who united the Sicilian kingdom with the Neapolitan kingdom and in 1816 the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies was formed.
In 1860 Sicily became part of the united Italy. This became a rather difficult historical moment, which is still actively discussed. The official history presents everything from the positive side, but in fact everyone knows about the "backward" Italian south and the more developed north. Before the unification of Italy, everything was exactly the opposite.
By 1856, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies ranked third in the world in terms of industrial development, and its fleet was the fourth largest in the world.
What else could the south of the peninsula boast of before the unification of Italy? The first metallurgical production in the Apennines was founded here, the first inter-Atlantic liner was built in Sicily.
After the unification of Italy, the economy of Sicily began to decline, as the policy of the newly baked country was aimed at developing the north.
History is written by the winners, let it remain on their conscience, and for tourists Sicily is a unique mixture, to which each ruler made his own artistic, artistic and gastronomic contribution. What could be more amazing and attractive than going on a journey plunging into centuries, traditions, legends and myths!
Most of Sicily is occupied by hills, mountains account for 25% of the total area, the plain accounts for 14%.
There are several volcanoes on the territory of Sicily, the most famous of them are Etna, Stromboli, Vulcano.
Because of its triangular shape, Sicily was called Trinacria in ancient times.
Sicily's main city
Western Sicily
Northern Sicily
Center of Sicily
Caltanisetta
Eastern Sicily
Taormina
Acireale
Mount Etna
Mount Etna
Sicilian Baroque cities
Southern part of sicily
Mardzamemi
Sulfur mining in Sicily. Travel through abandoned mines.
One of the most beautiful beaches in Sicily - Staircase of the Turks (Scala dei Turchi)
Earthquake in Belich
Salt mining in Sicily (between Trapani and Marsala)
Interesting facts about Sicily
Sicilian Baroque
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: this is a completely different region, with a very peculiar culture and unusual history. Being at different times part of the most different countries, it bears the traces of the influence of the ancient Greeks and Romans, Moors and Spaniards, French and Italians - a completely insane cocktail that you will find in few other places!
Must see things in Sicily:
It is almost impossible to get more or less familiar with the island in one trip; when going to Sicily, it is worth planning routes in advance excursions and plan the time.
Sicily cities: |
Islands of Sicily: |
| Palermo | Lipari Island ( Isola lipari) |
| Messina | Vulcano Island ( Isola vulcano) |
| Taormina | Salina Island ( Isola salina) |
| Catania | Panarea Island ( Isola panarea) |
| Syracuse (Siracusa) | Stromboli Island ( Isola stromboli) |
| Filikuda Island ( Isola filicudi) | |
| Alicudi Island ( Isola alicudi) | |
Sicily cities:
- - in the south of Sicily, especially known for its Valle dei Templi (Valley of the Temples) (in the spike)
- is a lively university town and economic center of Sicily. Mount Etna Gate (listed)
- - one of the most important ancient Greek cities, archaeological center and seaside resort on the southern coast of Sicily.
- Marsala- an interesting museum, the birthplace of famous wines
- - a busy city and a road to the mainland
- Milazzo- a small town, mainly serves as a transit point for trips to the Aeolian Islands (on the list)
- - the vibrant capital of Sicily with many attractions
- - impressive Baroque architecture (listed)
- - an attractive town with ancient Greek ruins (listed)
- Trapani- an interesting city and gateway to the islands of Pantelleria and Egadi
- - the ceramic capital of Sicily, on the list of baroque cities
- - the center of Sicily, one of the oldest cities
- - baroque town and ancient roman villa with unique mosaics next to it (in the list)
- - the old abbey of St. Spirit of the 12th century and the cathedral.
More sights of Sicily:
- Aegadian Islands- relaxing holidays on the picturesque western coast of the Aeolian Islands - a beautiful group of volcanic islands (listed)
- Madonie- National Park in the center of Sicily - Madonie National Park
- - an impressive volcano with a height of 3323 m
- Mozia- an ancient Punic city built on the island of Mozia overlooking the city of Marsala
- Pantelleria- a lonely island under Arab influence
- Pelagie Islands- the southernmost islands in the Mediterranean
- Segesta- ancient greek temple, theater and ruins
- Selinunte- another group of impressive Greek temples and ruins of an ancient Greek city
Most tourists who come to Sicily prefer to rent a car and travel further on their own (however, some of the roads in Sicily are : highway A18 Messina - (3.70 €) and A20 Messina - (11.30 €)).
Bread, olive, lemon
Most of the agricultural crops that Sicily is proud of are imported. The Greeks brought olives to the island, they were the first to start growing wheat. In ancient times, Trinacria was the leading grain exporter throughout the Mediterranean. Natives of Hellas planted the first fruit trees and grapes on the island. Of all the fruits that grew in Trinacria, the Greeks preferred pomegranate, it is still considered a symbol of fertility.
Oranges, which are grown in large quantities in Sicily today, were brought to the island by the Arabs. By the most conservative estimate, 80% of all Italian oranges and lemons are produced in Sicily. In the south, people were already familiar with lemons at the time of the Ancient, but then these fruits were regarded rather as an exotic curiosity.
Sicilian holidays
- Holy week and Easter: Passionate passage in Caltanissetta and other towns and villages, Passionate Mystery in San Cataldo. Orthodox Easter is celebrated in Piana degli Albanesi.
- Last Sunday in May: feast of st. George V.
- May June: performances of the classical theater (for even years) in Syracuse.
- June 24: feast of John the Baptist c.
- 6 august: feast of st. Salvator to Cefalu.
- 13-14 August: Norman Palio in.
- 3rd week of August: feast of st. Vito in Mazara del Vallo.
- November: Church Music Week in Montreal.
- December 6: feast of st. Nicholas in Nicolosi.
- December 22 - January 20: exhibition of nativity scenes in Acireale.
Climate
The climate of Sicily is Mediterranean: the summers are long, hot and dry, and the short winters are mild and not very rainy.
Despite its proximity to Africa, summer temperatures rarely exceed 33 ° C. There is almost no stifling heat on the coasts, except for those days when the African wind blows across Sicily, which is called here sirocco.
Saturated with the moisture of the sea and the sand of the Sahara, it brings with it not only terracotta dust, which evenly covers the walls of houses and car bodies, but also a stifling heat.
On sirocco days, the air temperature rises to 45 ° C. Fortunately, this Sicilian cataclysm usually lasts two to three days.
In winter, the temperature on the island is usually above 0 ° C, but in the mountains the thermometer drops below. Record frost (minus 29 ° С) was recorded on Mount Etna. There are even two ski resorts in Sicily - on Etna and in the Madonie mountains.
People
From the official point of view, the Sicilians are, of course, Italians, however, a rare inhabitant of the island will agree to identify with the inhabitants of the mainland. First of all - the language: the inhabitant or is unlikely to fully understand the local dialect. In the speech of the islanders, Arabic and Greek words are often found, in addition, over many centuries of foreign domination, the Sicilians have developed a whole system of words and code gestures, which today are used not in secret, but in everyday speech.
Almost every trait of the Italian character of the Sicilians is expressed as vividly as possible. The Sicilian is an extreme extrovert: when talking, he gesticulates violently, often touches the interlocutor, and his speech, even in the most calm situation, sounds extremely emotional. Local residents are friendly, they are happy to interrupt their studies for any reason to communicate, whether it be a meeting with an old acquaintance or an accidental collision of complete strangers.
But in this communication it is not worth it to relax, because it is believed that a real Sicilian does not always say what he thinks.
A mixture of Greek, Arabic, Norman and other blood flows in the veins of the islanders. On the island you can often meet people with the same dark skin color as, for example, the inhabitants of Morocco.
History of Sicily
There are not so many settlements on the island, which are less than a thousand years old, and even those, as a rule, are seaside resort branches and a few ancient mountain towns. Arabs, Normans, Phoenicians and Greeks left their marks on the map of Sicily.
Sicily in antiquity:
In the VIII century BC. the first Greek colonies arose in Sicily. In 756 Naxos was founded near the modern Taormina, in about 734-733 Syracuse was founded, then Selinunte, Messina and other cities appeared. Sicily becomes the most important part of Magna Graecia - the area of the Greek colonies in the western Mediterranean.
At the same time, Carthaginian colonies are developing on the western and northern coast of the island, including Zis(modern Palermo). Trade rivalry periodically led to military conflicts, and in the III century BC. e. the Romans intervened, making Sicily one of the theaters of the First Punic War. In 241 BC. the island became the first Roman province outside mainland Italy, but the Greek city of Syracuse retained its independence.
Fall of the Roman Empire:
In 440, barbarians-vandals landed on Sicily under the leadership of Henzerich. In 488, the island passed into the possession of other barbarians - the Ostrogoths, and those, in turn, were driven off the island by the Byzantines (552), under whose rule the island remained for several centuries. In 663, the emperor Constants II, who was trying to conquer Italy from the next barbarians - the Lombards, made the island his base, but the expedition ended in disaster, more than 20,000 Byzantines died.
Arab rule:
In 827, the first Arab landing (a detachment of the Tunisian emir) landed in Sicily, however, the conquest of the island lasted more than a hundred years. The Muslims turned out to be good owners: they renewed the abandoned irrigation set of palaces and mosques (the last only in Palermo were about 300), introduced local residents to new agricultural crops. In addition to citrus fruits, Muslims brought peach trees and sugarcane to the island, and began to cultivate rice, cotton and mulberry trees.
Middle Ages in Sicily:
In 1061 Norman Knights, led by Robert Guiscard and Roger Hauteville, began a sacred campaign against the infidels who occupied Sicily, which in more than 30 years ended in complete victory.
In 1130 Roger II became the first king of Sicily. The enlightened monarch was able to attract representatives of different cultures to governing the country: Arab and Norman, Greek and Jewish.
Nicolosi and the Aegadian Islands.
According to the Treaty of Utpekht in 1713, the largest island in the Mediterranean was transferred to the Savoy dynasty. In 1735 Charles I of Bourbon was officially crowned on the throne of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, the representatives of the last dynasty ruled the island until 1861, when Sicily became part of the Italian kingdom.
