Sicily, Italy – Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, has a rich history that has left its mark on the landscape and culture of the region. With influences from Phoenicians, Byzantines, Bourbons, Normans, Arabs, Piedmontese, Romans, and Greeks, the island is truly an open-air museum. The legacy of these peoples can be found not only in history books but also in the seven UNESCO World Heritage sites scattered across the island.
In his work ‘The Wandering Life,’ French writer Guy de Maupassant described Sicily’s Valley of the Temples in Agrigento as a place that evokes the ghosts of the past and the gods of Olympus. A visit to this area is a journey through a landscape suspended between legend and history. After exploring Agrigento, a trip with an archaeological theme can continue eastward to Siracusa and the nearby Necropolis of Pantalica. Here, visitors can witness the prehistoric mystery of over 5,000 cave tombs carved into the rock walls of the canyon created by the Anapo and Calcinara rivers. Siracusa, on the other hand, offers a glimpse into the continuous development of the city over the centuries and showcases the different ruling powers that have influenced its history.
The Val di Noto, also known as the late Baroque cities, is another must-visit area in Sicily. The cities of Ragusa, Modica, Scicli, Noto, Caltagirone, Palazzolo Acreide, Militello Val di Catania, and Catania were all rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake and have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites for their extraordinary stylistic unity and interpretation of European Baroque in the Sicilian style. Each town has its own unique charm and should not be missed.
Piazza Armerina is home to another remarkable piece of Sicilian history – the mosaics of the Villa Romana del Casale. This late Roman mansion boasts over 3,500 square meters of impeccably preserved floor decorations, making it a figurative encyclopedia of the life and power of the Roman empire.
Some of Sicily’s most famous works of art are steeped in legend. The Cathedral of Cefalù, commissioned by King Roger II of Sicily in 1267, is said to have been built after the king vowed to create a church at the place where he landed to escape a storm at sea. Its majestic structure, with its twin towers, dominates the town, and the Christ Pantocrator of the apsidal mosaic welcomes visitors from all over the world in breathtaking fashion.
In 2015, UNESCO recognized Sicily’s Arab-Norman itinerary, which includes Cefalù and continues to Palermo. This journey takes visitors through the Palatine Chapel in the Norman Palace, the Zisa, the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Mary of the Assumption, the Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti, and the churches of the Martorana and San Cataldo, as well as the Admiral’s Bridge. A few kilometers away, stands the last piece of the route: the Cathedral of Monreale, commissioned by William II the Good in the 12th century. Legend has it that the king fell asleep under a carob tree while hunting, and Our Lady appeared to him in a dream to tell him of the presence of a treasure. Today, the golden mosaics inside the church are considered the real treasure of Monreale.
Nature, too, has shaped Sicily’s landscape in a way that can only be described as art. The majestic Mount Etna, with its spectacular and unpredictable eruptions, has been shaping the landscape of the region for thousands of years. It is also one of Sicily’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, alongside the Aeolian Islands archipelago. The islands of Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Stromboli, Panarea, Filicudi, and Alicudi are an open-air geological museum, each with its own unique story to tell.
The Head of the Department of Tourism, Sport, and Entertainment of the Region of Sicily, Ms. Daniela Lo Cascio, invites travelers to explore the rich cultural heritage of the island. She can be reached at +39 095 7470254 or via email at daniela.locascio@regione.sicilia.it. For more information on visiting Sicily, visit their website at https://www.visitsicily.info/.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.