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Palazzo Valguarnera-Gangi

Palazzo Valguarnera-Gangi is one of the most important palaces in Palermo, a perfect example of Sicilian Barouque. At the half of 18th century Pietro and Marianna Valguarnera di Gangi undertook the decision to renovate and rejuvenate their old residence.

Duomo di San Giorgio in Modica

The most important church in upper part of Modica, the cathedral dedicated to the martyrs St. George and Hippolytus is among the best examples of Sicilian Baroque. Unlike the other churches in the area this one was not gravely hit during the infamous earthquake in 1693, still the renovation work started in 1702, but it [...]

Duomo di San Pietro in Modica

The church of St.Peter is a perfect example of the style present in Val di Noto in the towns rebuilt after the earthquake, that took place in 1683. The style is described as Sicilian Baroque and its valour won the attention of UNESCO, that put on World Heritage List the group of eight towns from [...]

Villa Palagonia in Bagheria

One of the most famous tourist attractions in Sicily, Villa Palagonia has been visited by famous travellers, who consider it as the place “most original that exists in the world and famous all over Europe.”

Monreale

8 km from Palermo, at the beginning of Conca d’Oro ( Golden shell ) , named from colorful orange orchards, lies the small town Monreale famous for Medieval mosaics in its Duomo ( Cathedral). What surprises, is the speed of work, all the mosaics were completed within ten years. The whole catherdal was made very [...]

Palermo

Although Palermo has been established by Phoenitians, its name derives from Greek Panormus which one may translate big harbour, or big port. Due to its location Palermo witnessed all the forces of ancient world, Greeks, Carthagenians, Romans, but it started to develop only under influence of Arabs, who captured Sicily in 9th century. During three [...]

Syracuse

It was the time in our history when Syracuse was the biggest and the most powerful town in Sicily. Surrounded by heavy walls it included two ports and five districts Ortygia, Achradine, Tyche, Neapolis and Epipolai. The miserable attempts to invade Syracuse only strenghtened the power of the town.

Catania

For many of visitors Catania is the starting point of holidays in Sicily. After landing at Fontanarossa Airport they move to the central station and take the bus, or train to the other locations on the island, like popular resorts Cefalu and Taormina. If they have extra couple of hours they visit some shops or [...]

Erice

For his new town the king of Elymians Eryx choose a strategic hill overlooking the bay and the area between present Trapani an Capo San Vito. Elymians were practical nation, and the mountain was named simply and gracefully Eryx, so did the town.

Villa Romana del Casale

The healing and rejuvenating features of mud are well known and used in every spa all over the world. But the mud near Piazza Armerina contributed to overall human culture and art perception. Not it was not used as a base for new painting techniques, nor for wrestling performances, yet the muddy ground revealed in [...]

Selinunte

The excavation works west of village Marinella di Selinunte consist one of the largest archeological locations in Europe. These are the ruins of walls and temples of ancient city Selinus, founded by settlers from Megara some 2 700 years ago.

Aci Castello

It is probable that Aci Castello with other Aci may exist on foundation of Xiphonia , the Greek town, which location similar to Troy once vanished from the maps and still remains unknown. The place described by Ovidius and Vergilius is covered with the story of love between nymph Galatea and herdsman Aci , killed [...]

Segesta

Driving on the road between Palermo and Trapani it is hard to miss the ruins of one of the nicest Greek temple in Sicily, in the place, where once was a thriving town Segesta.

Giardini Naxos

The first Greek colony on Sicily was named Naxos, after the island the settler came from. Thucydides relates that Naxos was founded in 735 BC by Chalcidians. It soon became the important Grek outpost and a starting poit to colonization of nearby Catania and Leontini. In 403 BC Dionysius the tyrant destroy the town, and [...]

Aci Trezza

The small fishing village has been founded to gather the people from area of Catania, who suffered after the Etna eruption in 1669 by Francesco Fernandez de Cueva and Stefano Riggio Santo Stefano, who later became the owner of surrounding lands. In 1828 the village became a part of municipality Aci Castello.

Cefalu Cathedral

A mist covers the origins of building the cathedral in Cefalù, one of the most popular summer resorts in Sicily. When the ship with Roger II was hit by the storm near the nothern coast of Sicily, in return of sparing his life promised to the almighty the new votive church. And as soon he [...]

The Procession of the Mysteries in Trapani

The procession in Trapani is probably the oldes religiuos event in Italy, but definitely the longest one. It starts at 14.00 on Good Friday afternoon and lasts almost 24 hours.

Holy Week Celebration in Taormina

The most impressive procession in Taormina takes place in the Good Friday afternoon. Local men and women carry the sculptures representing passion of Jesus and the local saints. Only young children wear the white colors, symbols of purity and innocence, the rest of the people are dressed in black,wich adds more drama, as the procession [...]

Sicily Weather

The best time to visit Sicily is late Spring, when the weather is warm, yet not too hot for visiting cities and historic places. During May and June the beaches are good enough to spend the time on sunbathing and water amusement.

Agrigento

Although the town itself has some interesting medieval buildings, the main tourist interest here is Valle dei Tempi, one of the most important archaeological sites of ancient civilization.

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