• View
• Edit
• History
• Print

Sicily

INTRODUCTION

The island of Sicily is an autonomous region in the south of Italy. The biggest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily consists of 9 provinces. Palermo is the capital and also the biggest city on the island. Other big cities are Catania, Messina, and Syracuse. Sicily offers natural spectacles of a unique kind, combining wonderful landscapes and mountain sceneries with splendid beaches and coastlines. Sicily is rich in its own unique culture, especially when it comes to the arts, architecture, and food. The island includes significant archeological sites such as the Necropolis of Pantalica and the Valley of the Temples. With its natural beauty, Sicily attracts visitors from all over the world, and still the island has strongly maintained its original flair. A tour over the island guarantees you a memorable excursion into a different world that will make you carry your mind back to ancient times.

HISTORY

The most ancient Sicilian culture known today is dated back to around 10,000 B.C. Due to the island’s favorable location regarding Mediterranean trade routes, Sicily was considered a crucial strategic location throughout much of its history. The area formed a renowned part of the Magna Graecia, and Cicero described Syracuse as the greatest and most beautiful city of all Ancient Greece. Back then, Sicily used to be an Italian city-state in its own right, ruling from Palermo over southern Italy and Malta. Under the Bourbons, the island became part of the Two Sicilies, a kingdom governed from Naples which included the island itself, as well as most of Southern Italy. With the Italian unification in 1860, this kingdom was finally dissolved, and Sicily became an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Italy.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Climate: Mediterranean climate with hot and dry summers, mild and wet winters; a little cooler in the interior of the island, and extremely hot in the south.

Languages: Italian, Sicilian

Most people in Sicily speak the Sicilian version of Italian, a dialect so different to Italian that it is often regarded as a distinct language.

ATTRACTIONS

Places of Interest

Absolutely worth seeing is the historical district of Palermo, which possesses a rich architectural heritage that has survived a record number of invasions over the years. Expect to see a number of beautifully decorated palaces and ancient religious buildings.

Attractions in the city of Messina include the World War I Memorial and the famous Bell Tower and Astronomical Clock (Orologio Astronomico).

Nearby attractions include the coastal village of Taormina and Mount Etna, Europe's largest volcano.

Catania impresses people with ancient attractions such as the castle Castello Orsino, the Cathedral of Sant’Agata, and the Church of San Nicoló.

If you're on a trip to Syracuse, also known as the New York of Italy, make sure to visit the Catacombs of San Giovanni, the Dome of Santa Maria delle Colonne, and the Latomia del Paradiso (ancient stone quarries dating back to the 6th century B.C.).

RESTAURANTS

Sicilian cuisine ranks among Italy’s oldest and most varied regional cuisines. There is a great choice of Sicilian wine; the pastries are also delicious. Most restaurants and pizzerias in Sicily are open during the evenings, and many serve lunch too. The lunch hour usually starts at 1 pm and dinner is served around 8 pm.

Antica Focacceria di San Francesco(Parlermo): Baroque style restaurant renowned for its creative seafood and pasta dishes. In warmer months, there is outdoor table service.

Metro(Catania): Sicilian restaurant with an original touch, serving a variety of folksy Sicilian specialties.

Trattoria Kalliope(Syracuse): This restaurant sticks out with its charming, traditional setting; treating its customers to homemade pasta and exceptional seafood.

LODGING

Grand Hotel Timeo: This beautiful 5 star hotel is set opposite of Sicily's 1873 theatre so the view is spectacular. The Hotel has an inhouse restaurant and offers a variety of activities.

Gole Alcantara Parco Botanico e Geologico: This lovley 3 star hotel is divided into 4 separate houses and offers an onsite restaurant and bar.