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Information on Sicily (Sicilia) - Italy
The largest of the Mediterranean islands, Sicilia is home to spectacularly beautiful mountains and heavenly beaches, as well as Greek temples and Baroque churches. 
Caltanissetta
The retion is rich in archeological excavations and in the castles scattered all over its territories. Its history tells of the transition of many ruling powers – the Greek, Roman, Norman, Swabian, Anjou, Aragonese and Castillian – and all have left their particular mark. The peak of its grandeur was linked to the exploitation of the great sulfur mines, now extinguished, which became part of the province’s historical-naturalistic legacy. Going towards the Agrigento border, the landscape still shows the ancient mines with wells and tunnels engraved into the mountain profile. Dry and yellowish hills trace the profile of this zone but in spring the panorama changes, taking on an intense green hue. Gentle hills slope down towards the short coastline which marks out the province’s outlet to the sea. The northern part is mountainous with hills and broad valleys which are an excellent habitat for the cultivation of nut trees, vineyards and olives.
• What figures predominatley in the Caltanissetta is the baked rice richly seasoned with mortadella, eggs, aubergine, pork meat and cheese, and the vegetable soup "pitirri". Very flavourful are the "fuate"-stuffed flat bread, "focaccia" stuffed with sardine, oregano and percorino cheese.
• The extremely variable landscape is a play of colours and light continually punctuated by the green of the Mediterranean vegetation, and the blue of its lakes and rivers.
• One of the most amazing castles is that of Mussomeli which traces back to the 14th century, but was later modified with embattled walls and a square tower. A legend says that three sisters were buried alive in one of the halls which today is called the "Hall of the Three Sisters." From the well preserved castle of Delia visitors enjoy a splendid view over the surrounding territory.
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Catania
Lying in a green cradle, Catania opens out like a beauty, to gather with its grand squares and wide roads its lavic rock architecture, and recall its past destruction and reconstruction, with those burnished hues that seem to struggle with the intense rays of the sun shining over this land. The city is full of attractions, offering a historical and artistic legacy to be admired by all. With its lively city buzz, its gaiety and cheerfulness, it expresses the reality of an open and carefree populace who are well aware that life has to be lived every moment, day after day, without leaving for tomorrow the smile that can be given today. The big and small centers of this region are marked by different cultures that have crossed the land. Traces of history show a culture that has absorbed the influence of many rulers, as seen in the architectonic lines of its buildings, churches and monuments, perfectly blending with the beauty of nature, demonstrating its generosity and benevolence, but also asperity and severity. Etna symbolizes all this. High, impressive, silent, with its peak wrecked by a great mouth of fire, it looms over the entire landscape, a great part of which has been designed by its own power. Gardens and the bright colors of orange and lemon groves interrupt the lavic grey of the soil which is dark, but fertile. Chestnut trees, nuts and oaks, pine trees and beeches make up the thick woods covering the medium heights of the mountain, like a curtain opening out beyond to an oasis of colors. When you reach the top, you will be enchanted by the extraordinary view extending to the horizon as far as the eye can see. Cobalt blue, blue, crystalline with undefined hues between one tonality and the other: colors so much like the sea of Catania, the other living force of this land. It seems to have been created on purpose to give visitors the chance to choose that stretch of coast they prefer. Delightful beaches, small bays alternating with dark tracts of erupted rock, high cliffs a sheer drop from the sea, and endless golden coastlines, are part of a landscape, which conveys endless sensations. But wherever you choose to go, the sensation evoked by the beauty of a limpid sea is the one of the things you will surely not forget.
• The cuisine of Catania is one of the tastiest in Sicily.
Fish dishes are the most traditional. A sea salad may be one with octopus and ox eyes, marinated "Masculini" (sea anchovy), salt-preserved anchovies in typical terracotta jars (cugnetto), peppered raw ox eyes (sea molluscs) and shells seasoned only with a sprinkling of lemon.
Mullets, needlefish, scallops and anchovies are the best ingredients for fries, whereas the breams, sargoes and dentex are served baked. Tasty and very typical dishes are the "sparacanaci," fish fries of newborn mullets, accompanied by onions from Calabria, and the "u muccu" fries of newborn little fish.
Agriculture is well developed in the hinterland, where you can taste excellent beef, equine meat and pork grilled with vegetables and genuine cheeses.
The most typical feature of the Catania cuisine regards the roasts, and the well-known "oranges" made of crunchy rice balls stuffed in the middle.
• The parks and natural reserves offer an infinity of ideas on how to enjoy your time and learn about quite an unusual nature.
Trekking and horseback riding itineraries are ideal to trail the paths that spread out over the slopes of Etna, through the thick vegetation where many species of animals live. It is also a perfect place to engage in birdwatching. Sparrows, buzzards, pilgrim peregrines and golden eagles fly high in the sky above the volcano, while ducks and other aquatic birds live on the waters of Lake Gurrida, the park's only water basin.
The Simeto delta is another excellent birdwatching spot. Here coots, storks, sea crows, falcons and herons build their nests to pass the winter.
• The Cathedral Square is surrounded by the Senatorial Palace and elegant noble buildings arranged around the Fontana dell’Elefante, the symbol of the city. The monument, the work of Vaccarini, is a kind of historical stratification: the base (the elephant) recalls Carthaginian civilization, the obelisk recalls Egyptian civilization, and the cross, palms and globe refer to Christianity.
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Enna
You could wander around the country fairs and learn the traditions of its people. All things are possible in Enna. Woods and pine trees, oaks and beech trees, precious oases of willows, elms and poplars color the uplands of a broad valley where the famous Sicilian oranges and lemons grow. Big and small water basins interrupt the expanse of green, creating an enchanting scenery with their intense blue hues of the water lit up by sunlight. Enna is called the “Lake province,” the only one among all the Sicilian provinces that does not have an outlet to the sea, but it is surely one with the greatest number of lacustrine basins. Traces of ancient rulers are scattered all over the territory as evidenced by the archeological diggings that testify to the Greek-Roman period, and castles and medieval towns reveal the passage of Normans, Swabians and Aragonese. Precious architecture reveals the expansion of the Baroque styles from the eastern coast to the internal lands. This land is generous also in terms of flavors, and offers typical specialties that reflect the love and hard work of man. If you wish to travel through the pearl of the Mediterranean do not forego a stopover in Italy’s viewpoint, the “Belvedere” on which ” clouds fly and the sunsets shine” (Guido Piovene).
• Local food and wine characterized by simple dishes but very rich flavours, reflect a prevalently agricultural land dedicated to sheep farming.
Vegetables, oranges and lemons, eggs and cheese, so wisely blended together, appear in many local recipes. Pasta with "macco" (mashed broad beans), cauliflower or broccoli, new beans, "carrettiera" style or aubergines and tomatoes, make up pasta and the products of the land, a simple but perfect alliance even for the choosiest taste buds.
• The thick woods and lakes characterizing this land are a great gift for those who wish to spend a holiday in the midst of nature. Trekking, easy walks, horse rides or mountain biking are the best ways to immerse yourself in these uncontaminated landscapes, with the possibility of relaxing on the green fields that mark out the lacustrine banks.
The Altesina and Scalpello mountains and the Giangagliano stream offer interesting naturalistic itineraries penetrating into the rich vegetation that spreads out in the midst of eucalyptus trees, pines, oaks and beech trees.
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In its central square, you will see forty, splendid, perfectly preserved mosaics embellishing the grand cathedral composed of various venues opening out around the main courtyard, surrounded by eighteen marble columns or peristyles. The Villa is considered the greatest example of museum art of the Roman era, and has been proclaimed a World Heritage Site. The place exerts a fascination that attracts and is irresistible, but also the ancient villages covet interesting surprises within.
The Cathedral, designed by Orazio Torriani can be sighted from afar, its majestic framework and dome rising up towards the infinite skies. Though its façade is sober and refined, it displays a finely decorated portal, flanked on each side by three columns each, leading to two wide staircases.
Not far away is Aidone, an attractive village set on a hill where the narrow streets, small stairs and courtyards design an ancient urban fabric. In its territory you will find Morgantina, one of the most important archeological excavation sites. The remains of a theatre, residential buildings and farmhouses, all arranged around the agorà (the central square of Greek cities or polis) tell of the Hellenic period in these lands. Among the bright yellow hues of wheat, greenness of the cultivations and redness of poppy flowers, you enter into a marvellous landscape of Lake Pergusa, where the purifying effect of microorganisms periodically colour the waters with reddish hues.
In the higher section of the province you will see picturesque villages, very typical because of their narrow alleys and streets which make up the more ancient part and also the small gems of art that you can admire there.
At Leonforte, the architectonic value is linked to the name Branciforti. The Granfonte fountain with water bubbling from its 24 spouts, and the Palazzo Branciforti are worth visiting. You will find the Mother Church of Assoro very interesting, along with the imposing Sperlinga Castle with the houses hanging on to the rocks along with Cathedrals of Nicosia and Troina.
Enna is located in the centre of its territory, dominated from above by the Lombardia Castle and its stately towers from which you can enjoy a breathtaking view. Queen Eleonora of Aragon had set the first brick for the Cathedral, rebuilt after the fire that destroyed it almost completely. From outside you can see the three overlapping bodies of the structure, as they rise majestically.
The three interior naves are marked by two colonnades that create a harmonious contrast with the clear stone of the overhanging arches. Surmounted by a 17th-century wood ceiling, frescoes, sculptures and stuccowork form part of the sumptuous interior decoration.
The capital is also the seat of the Archeological Museum of Palazzo Variano with its rich collection of findings which narrate the history of the Etna province from the Brass Age to the Middle Ages, and the Alessi Museum which displays the works of art and archeological findings.
• Besides rich food tasting activities, the event highlights shows, folkloristic music groups, street jugglers and actors, and parades. If you visit the town during the right period you will not miss the Regabulto Carnival, a festival of colours, masked characters and music.
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Messina
The beauty of this fascinating landscape attracts and repulses at the same time, and is a masterpiece ideally set in the framework of the sea. So much like a kaleidoscope of blue shades, it changes from nocturnal blue to a crystal transparency with slight blue veins. Nature here shines under a limpid sky, extraordinary even in its marine depths where another world awaits to be explored. Lipari, Panarea, Salina, Stromboli, Vulcano, Filicudi and Alicudi are the seven pearls scattered over the waters facing Messina. All are of volcanic origin but each has its own beauty and historical identity, a treasure which has been proclaimed a World Heritage Site. As in the past, Messina is the principal entrance gate to Sicily. Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans and Swabians landed on its coasts and strongly influenced its culture. By exploring the small provincial towns you will discover precious works of art, kept in churches and palaces, or important traces of great far away civilizations. History narrates also of the traditions which have remained in the memoirs of the local people, and of the ancient flavors that still today, are prepared and set on their tables.
• The principal ingredient of local cuisine is obviously fish: fried or baked, baked in foil, or grilled. The preparation changes but what matters is utmost freshness.
• The Aeolian Isles stand before you and are an obligatory stopover for those who enter the Messina province. What meets your eye is a sequence of colours, a mosaic of tiles of the most varied hues with shades of the sea framing it all around. And as if to confirm Mother Nature's talent, it is known that the Aeolian Isles were crafted by the volcanoes which, though destructive on one hand, on the other create masterpieces of incomparable beauty. Panarea is the heart of the nightlife, whereas Stromboli is the force of nature, with incandescent flames that compete with the moon's brightness to illuminate the night. Vulcano is the archipelago's black pearl and Lipari is called the "lighthouse" because of the light irradiating from its mountain. Sipari instead, is the land of flavours and fragrances, whereas Filicudi and Alicudi are solitary and wild.
• The Ancient Theatre, one of the greatest of the Greek-Roman epoch is immersed in an expanse of olives, oranges and almond groves that inebriate the air with their perfume. Behind the stage the scene opens out to the moon and stars which capture your gaze, reflecting their light over the dark sea. Tiny art gems can be found in the alleys of its ancient quarter. The Piazza Duomo embellished by the Fountain of Montorsoli, highlights an ancient Cathedral which in its exterior design recalls the lines of a fortress, graced by a splendid 17th-century portal. Behind the church of Santa Caterina, you will find the Odeon, a tiny theatre of the Roman era, assigned to cultural events.
The Etna, imposing, towers over the landscape and reveals a vegetation interrupted by trails of black, solidified lava flows. Caves and different environments alternate along its slopes, and which you have to cross to reach the peak where a great "mouth of fire" awaits you.
The Tyrrhenian coast is marked by the Golfo di Patti named after the same locality, well equipped like all the other beach resorts, to offer you a pleasant sea holiday.
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Palermo
Mondello stands out as the beach most frequented by the local people, whereas Cefalù matches its monumental legacy with cozy beaches, and Sferacavallo, an ancient marine village, has become a haven for scuba diving. Against the skyline in the open sea in front of Palermo, you can distinguish the profile of Ustica Island, the remains of a group of erupted volcanoes, rich in naturalistic beauty with coves, caves, and archeological findings. The territory is prevalently mountainous and includes the group of the Madonie that extend toward the Pollina and the Imera Valleys, including a part of the coast. This environment is protected by the Madonie Regional Park which offers spectacular panoramas and a great variety of landscapes, from the rough rocky mountains and cliffs diving straight down into the sea, up to the hilly expanse of the hinterland, transiting through valleys ploughed by rivulets. Besides the beauty of nature, renowned localities and marvelous artistic treasures of different eras make this territory unique and special, a popular tourist spot well-known among visitors even at international levels. From the Solunto ruins of the archeological area of Mount Jato to Monreal and Palermo, the entire territory is full of art treasures, enchanting landscapes and attractive remains of ancient civilization. Palermo shines in the center of the Gulf bearing its name, a city with a rich past and which in ancient times was the melting pot of European and Arab civilizations, testimonials of which still abound. The province is full of attractions, from the historical villas punctuating the Bagheria area to the food and wine delicacies, and from the traditional folkloristic celebrations to the relaxing holidays by the sea. Palermo and all its territory is a tourist spot for all seasons and for all demands.
• What we traditionally hear when talking food in Palermo is "arancini" and the "pani ca' meusa", a roll of bread stuffed with veal entrails.
• The coast offers splendid beaches and offers a relaxing holiday by the sea. You can sail and take advantage of all the water sports.
Some parts of the coast and the island of Ustica are ideal for scuba diving. and boat excursions to visit some of its beautiful caves. The protected areas and natural reserves offer a variety of routes for walking or trekking on the Madonie highlands.
• Palermo is the starting point of a touristic itinerary through the territory, and stands facing its gulf, surrounded by orange and lemon groves of the Conca D'Oro.
• The feast of Santa Rosalia in Palermo (July) or the Targa Florio international rally of Sicily (July).
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Ragusa
Its landscape traces the Iblei highlands and valleys which are the unrivaled masters of the Ragusa hinterland, characterized by profound canyons shaped by the waters of rivers and streams. The landscape’s profile becomes more gentle as it slopes down toward the splendid coast, with Scoglitti and Pozzalo marking out its confines. It is an alternating balance of cliffs and endless beaches of the finest sand. The colors you see here are beyond words, for the sunrays seem to play a game defining the hues, exalting the blueness of the sea and releasing golden shades on the beaches. Picturesque villages and charming localities welcome you to a sea holiday, with a touch of gaiety due to the evening events held in the open air under the star-lit sky. A gracious landlady makes you feel at home with the delicacies she prepared for you, while she keeps you engrossed with rich and exciting tales. This is how the Ragusa province flings open the most refined “living rooms” of its home, embellished in pure Baroque Sicilian style. It is a style that speaks of the 18th century reconstruction, a historical moment of great artistic highlights. As you stroll through the streets of Ragusa, Modica, Scicli and Ispica, observe the prestigious architecture release a golden warmth under the sun, making you experience very special emotions. The precious décor of squares, churches and buildings are exalted by the particular type of tuff which is recurring component in all Sicilian monuments. But the story began even earlier, when the Sicels established their settlements in this land, and continued with the Magna Graecian and Roman epochs, including other rulers who influenced Sicily’s art and culture. A wonderful land in the south of Sicily, Ragusa receives its visitors with the joyfulness and openness of its inhabitants.
• Most common is the traditional Meat pies that are stuffed with minced meat or lamb and goat meat mixed with cheese and eggs, and the rustic "scacce" is very tasty because of its rich and complex filling. The traditional food is pork and white meats and rabbit.
• The natural beauty along the coastal waters offers open air activities at no end. Excursions and trekking find their ideal environment in the Cava d'Ispica, a deep inlet that stretches out for several kilometres. Gorges, natural caves and cave tombs are elements characterizing this charming path, the signs of which tell of the presence of man ever since Prehistoric times. A dense Mediterranean undergrowth and the colours of the small orchards cultivated by the few inhabitants, give a fascinating aspect to this place.
• Ragusa can be defined as two cities in one. The new part was created with the 18th century reconstruction, the old one rebuilt over the ruins of the earthquake.
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Siracusa
This is what you can sense as you walk through the streets of Syracuse, where precious testimonials recall with great force the splendor of Magna Graecia, and step after step, accompany the visitor to the succeeding eras which also had a strong impact on Syracuse’s history. Romans and Byzantines, Arabs and Normans, Swabians and Aragonese, all wrote their portion of history. Neapolis, Acradina, Ortygia, Tyche, and Epipoli were the quarters of the ancient city. Their names alone suffice to make us enter into another dimension. In the Park of Neapolis and on the Island of Ortygia, connected by three bridges to the mainland, you find yourself where the most interesting monuments are concentrated. Immersed in the Iblea valley, within the framework of the Mediterranean vegetation, is Pantalica Necropolis, a place of extraordinary archeological value with thousands of tombs dug in the rocks by the earth’s primordial inhabitants who were successively exploited by the Greeks and Romans. Noto and Palazzolo Acreide are two of the eight cities of the Noto Valley, declared a World Heritage Site for the richness and prestige of its architecture, linked to the reconstruction in the 18th century and retained as the highest expression of late Baroque art in Europe. Extraordinary monuments are found immersed in an equally splendid nature. From within, the Iblei mountains slope down gently towards the coast, enlivened by cliffs, bays, islets and tracts of white beaches. An expanse of emerald hues, with lines of cobalt blue and streaks of light which enhance their shades, go to complete Syracuse’s marine landscape. In the hinterlands especially near the river courses, there are various naturalistic sites populated by interesting samples of flora and fauna. Ancient flavors and a lively cultural and folkloristic life integrate the generous touristic attractions the province offers.
• Fish delicacies figure predominantely including Swordfish cooked the "stemperata" way, fried and dipped in a sauce of capers and onions, fresh tuna cooked with tomatoes and peppers, and onion with the fish soup Syracusan style. The shrimps are excellent, and so are the crabs and sea squills.
Fish is the preferred condiment also for many first courses such as spaghetti with black squid sauce, or with seashells, or lobsters with anchovies and toasted breadcrumbs.
• The Vendicari Natural Reserve is a coastal strip where the salinity of the water contributes to creating a very special ecosystem. It is named "Bird Hotel" because this is an ideal habitat for birds during the migration period. Especially in the early morning and late afternoon hours bird watchers can observe about two hundred different bird species.
The Cavagrande del Cassabile Natural Reserve is very attractive with its thick woods of oriental sycamores, willows, poplars and ash trees growing around a deep canyon excavated by the river waters.
The same goes for the landscape around the banks of the Ciane River nurtured by the springs of Pisima and Pisimotta which seep through the green papyrus, a typical plant of the Nile and quite rare for Italy.
• The Doric Temple dedicated to Athena is the heart around which the Christian church was built. Belonging to the Byzantine era, it was renovated by the Normans. The façade was destroyed in an earthquake, and rebuilt in the 18th Century in Baroque style.
• The province offers a rich program of country fairs full of religious and popular events.
At the feast of flowers, the "'Infiorata", thousands of petals are arranged artistically along Via Nicolaci and embellish the balconies of the houses. Feasting and gaiety come alive in the city streets where baroque lavishness unites with the beauty of nature.
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Trapani
The Trapanese coast, one of the most impressive in Italy, comprises very valuable naturalistic spots such as the Gulf of Castellamare with its seafront full of cliffs and stacks alternating with beautiful beaches. Scopello is particularly known for its stacks and for its transparent sea which allows all to admire its ocean beds. Part of this enchanting marine scene is San Vito Lo Capo, with its white beaches and waters of the most brilliant hues. The province encloses an extraordinary natural heritage, starting with the renowned Egadi Isles and the splendid volcanic isle of Pantelleria, true and proper oases to be discovered in person. There are innumerable protected areas such as the Zingaro Natural Reserve, which stretches out along the coast and reefs, inlets and marine cliffs a sheer drop to the blue sea, covered by thick Mediterranean shrubs. In proximity with Trapani, the particularly breathtaking landscapes are composed of saline banks from which wind mills arise. This is certainly one of the most important humid coastal zones, protected by the Trapani and Paceco Saline Natural Reserve. The province is particularly known for the important traces of over-millenary civilization spread all over its territory, from the archeological area, Segesta, located in the coastal hinterland of Selinunte and Erice, up to the island of Mothia: a journey in the discovery of ancient past, in the midst of archeological findings and extraordinary landscapes. After which, comes the city of Trapani, with its typical historical center and splendid monuments dating to different epochs, a unique and fascinating collection. This corner of Sicily is special for its traditions, transmitted through the centuries, always reserving a thousand surprises for its visitors.
• Local gastronomy is influenced by the culture and customs of the many peoples who passed through these lands throughout the centuries.
A symbol of this fusion is the cous cous, a typical food of the Arab world with which the local inhabitants conducted great maritime trades.
• The coast offers great opportunities to spend a relaxing holiday by the sea with the possibility of practicing all sorts of water sports, from sailing to scuba diving.
• Visit the port, the historical centre of Trapani abounds in countless testimonials of history and art: ancient buildings, monuments and churches such as the cathedral of San Lorenzo with its elegant Baroque façade.
• The calendar of local events is full, and highlights the famous Holy Friday Procession in Trapani, the feast of the Holy Crucifix in Calatafimi (May), and the feast of Sant'Alberto in Trapani on 7th August.
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Caltanissetta, a splendid province in the heart of Sicily. History, folklore and gastronomy perfectly blend together in this beautiful breathtaking region.
The Etna Volcano rises from above and creates the design of the landscape. Enriching its land so its fruits can be harvested, reminding all of its irresistible power. This is the unbreakable link between Etna and Catania, the gem of eastern Sicily. The coastal strip, the beauty looks out over the Ionian Sea which is the other natural boundary of the province.
Enna embodies all the features which make Sicily unique. You can walk among the ruins of past epochs and still feel the same life throbbing under the same blue skies. You can stroll in the woods and discover enchanted places, taste its good cuisine and still find the flavors of long ago.
In Messina you just have to look at the Etna and Eolian Isles to comprehend the grandeur of nature. Etna’s activity is one of the most fearful menaces due to its destructive force which has never spared anything. Its awakening is still modeling the profile of this province, imprinting each time, a different shape, so much like an unsatisfied sculptor who continues to modify his work. And the results are magnificent. 
Palermo stretches out in the northern part of Sicily looking out over the Tyrrhenian sea, with a tract of splendid coast opening out into the Carini Gulf, Palermo and Termini Imerese. The coast shows its fantastic colors ranging from intense blue of the sea to the greenness of the vegetation, from the dark hues of the rocks against the whiteness of the beaches of finest sand. 
Ragusa is a maze composed of shaped tiles perfectly laid along the long dry walls built by the local people, their brown hues matched to the newly tilled fields and the brilliant greenness of the sprouting crops. 
Syracuse is made of ancient civilizations still hover in its streets and Baroque architecture narrate its rebirth as the sky, sun and sea enfold it with their brightness. A journey to this corner of Sicily awakens profound sensations, as if you were crossing the threshold of time to go back thousands of years. 
Trapani extends out in the western part of the region, between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Canal of Sicily. This enchanting land is composed of phenomenal coastlines alternated by steep cliffs and endless beaches. If you truly want to go back to the past & experience the true traditional italian experience then Trapani is the choice when visiting Sicily. Home | Advertising Information | Contact Us
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