Mon site |
Marzamemi
This lovely fisherman village was once famous for its tuna fisheries . It is said to be packed with tourists in summer.
Lunch at ispica school of culinary arts
On the first day, while we spent our time in different classrooms our teachers were lucky enough to be invited to the School of Culinary Arts, where they enjoyed the finest dishes possible... But I'm sure we would all have chosen our sandwiches over this kind of food, where's the big difference ?
Menu
Zuppa di mitili con datterino igp pane croccante
all’agli e olio monti iblei
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Risotto con julienne di zucchine, vongole veraci
gambero bianco e zete di limone
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Filetto di orata scottato alla piastra su vellutata di carota igp d’Ispica e timo selvatico, olio profumato e canestrino di porro in tempura
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profiterole au chocolat
Ispica
The town where we were based during our stay is situated on the south-eastern corner of the island. It is most impressive by its' beautiful architecture and the amazing prehistoric caves in the nearby, inhabited in ancient times.
The centre of the city is a strange mix of new and older buildings, such as the church or the town hall where the mayor, Piero Rustico, welcomed us very warmly to the town and offered us refreshments.
I think it's pretty fair to say that during our trip to Sicily we visited a lot of churches... One of these many churches is Vincenzo Sinatra's beautiful 'Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore' in Ispica, an example of Sicilian Baroque style.
Ispica is well-known for its prehistoric caves, the main attraction in the region. Along the valley there are hundreds of natural caves carved into the rock, offering a fantastic view for the tourists passing by.
Among these is the famous 'Cava Ispica', over 13 kilometres long and occupied throughout all of history, inhabited by as many as 6,000 people until the earthquake of 1693.
This site is a spectacular show of Christian catacombs, prehistoric burial sites, churches, castles, and houses carved into the rock.
Mount Etna
This volcano located on the East coast of Sicily, in the province of Catania, is the tallest active volcano of Europe and currently 3,329m high. It was designed a Decade Volcano by the United Nations and added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in june 2013. Despite the sun and good weather, at this time of the year there is quite a lot of snow at the top, as we were delighted to see !
Different myths are associated with the volcano. One of them says that Zeus, the Greek god, defeated the monster Typhon by hurling Mount Etna on top of him. In another, Etna would be the smithy of the gods, where Hephaistos or Vulcan forged weapons for them, with the Cyclopes' help.
The Etna volcano is always active, with over 60 important eruptions since 1600. The ashes erupted by Etna make the volcanic soils extremely fertile, and support extensive agriculture in the neighnouring villages.
Taormina
Said to be the most beautiful town in Sicily, Taormina is a city located on a hill by the sea, incredible for its' heritage in history, archaelogy and architecture.
Many exhibitions and events are organized during the summer in Taormina. Since 1983, the most important performances are realized by Taormina Arte, the cultural institution which organizes one of the most famous music, theatre and dance festivals. Part of the programme of Taormina Arte there is the Taormina Film Fest, the well-known cinema festival.
The most remarkable monument of the town is by far The Greek Theatre, thought to be over 2,000 years old and which we had the chance to visit. It is frequently used for operatic and theatrical performances as well as for concerts, for though the greater part of the original seats have disappeared the theatre has been largely restored and is still in use.
Many exhibitions and events are organized during the summer in Taormina. Since 1983, the most important performances are realized by Taormina Arte, the cultural institution which organizes one of the most famous music, theatre and dance festivals. Part of the programme of Taormina Arte there is the Taormina Film Fest, the well-known cinema festival.
The most remarkable monument of the town is by far The Greek Theatre, thought to be over 2,000 years old and which we had the chance to visit. It is frequently used for operatic and theatrical performances as well as for concerts, for though the greater part of the original seats have disappeared the theatre has been largely restored and is still in use.
Syracuse
This lovely coastal town is most famous for its' lovely beaches, impressive ancient monuments and beautiful churches.
While we were in the city we visited the Syracuse Theatre, built around the 5th century BC, and the Roman Amphitheatre thought to have been built around the 1st or 3rd century, both impressive by their size but nowadays completely out of use.
After having admired these amazing architectural sites, the beautiful scenery and good weather inspired us to take some lovely photos, but just a few...
In the center of the town is the Santa Lucia Cathedral, rebuilt by Andrea Pama in 1725-1753. According to tradition, this Byzantine churhc was built in the same place of the martyrdom of the saint in 303 AD. For this church the famous italian paint Caravaggio painted the 'Burial of St. Lucy', now housed in the Church of Santa Lucìa alla Badìa, which we also saw.
Founded by the Greeks during the 8th century BC, Syracuse was later on described by the famous roman philosopher and politician Cicero as the most important and beautiful of greek cities. Since 2005 the historical center of the town is part of the UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.
While we were in the city we visited the Syracuse Theatre, built around the 5th century BC, and the Roman Amphitheatre thought to have been built around the 1st or 3rd century, both impressive by their size but nowadays completely out of use.
After having admired these amazing architectural sites, the beautiful scenery and good weather inspired us to take some lovely photos, but just a few...
In the center of the town is the Santa Lucia Cathedral, rebuilt by Andrea Pama in 1725-1753. According to tradition, this Byzantine churhc was built in the same place of the martyrdom of the saint in 303 AD. For this church the famous italian paint Caravaggio painted the 'Burial of St. Lucy', now housed in the Church of Santa Lucìa alla Badìa, which we also saw.
Founded by the Greeks during the 8th century BC, Syracuse was later on described by the famous roman philosopher and politician Cicero as the most important and beautiful of greek cities. Since 2005 the historical center of the town is part of the UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.
Noto
Situated in the province of Syracuse, this Italian municipality counts over 24,000 inhabitants. Entirely destroyed by the earthquake of 1693, the town was then rebuilt by three great architects and is today an example of Sicilian Baroque style.
Noto Cathedral, known as The Dumo, was built in 1776, and is a typical Baroque church by its' architecture and the art displayed inside. It is dedicated to St Nicolas of Myra. In 2002 it was declared a UNESCO Wold Heritage Site.
Noto's townhall is the Palazzo Ducezio, constructed in 1742 by Vincenzio Sinatra, one of the three architects of the town. It houses paintings by the well-known Antonio Mazza.
The rest of the town is also built in the Baroque style, such as this beautiful balcony.
Noto Cathedral, known as The Dumo, was built in 1776, and is a typical Baroque church by its' architecture and the art displayed inside. It is dedicated to St Nicolas of Myra. In 2002 it was declared a UNESCO Wold Heritage Site.
Noto's townhall is the Palazzo Ducezio, constructed in 1742 by Vincenzio Sinatra, one of the three architects of the town. It houses paintings by the well-known Antonio Mazza.
The rest of the town is also built in the Baroque style, such as this beautiful balcony.
Ragusa
This gorgeous town built on a hill between two steep valleys is the capital of the province of Ragusa, and counts around 75,000 inhabitants.
The Cathedral of San Giorgio was built in 1738 by architect Rosario Gagliardi, in substitution of the temple destroyed by the 1693 earthquake. The façade is characterized by a flight of 250 steps and by massive ornate columns, as well as by statues of saints and decorated portals. The dome is however an addition from 1820.
Strolling around in the streets of Ragusa, one can discover a lot of Sicilian culture and habits. During our free time we also had the opportunity of tasting some delicious sicilian dishes, such as canelos or the famous and exquisite arancinis ...
The Cathedral of San Giorgio was built in 1738 by architect Rosario Gagliardi, in substitution of the temple destroyed by the 1693 earthquake. The façade is characterized by a flight of 250 steps and by massive ornate columns, as well as by statues of saints and decorated portals. The dome is however an addition from 1820.
Strolling around in the streets of Ragusa, one can discover a lot of Sicilian culture and habits. During our free time we also had the opportunity of tasting some delicious sicilian dishes, such as canelos or the famous and exquisite arancinis ...
Scicli
Another UNESCO Heritage Site town, a stonethrow from the beach is overlooked by a towering rocky mass on which the Church of San Matteo sits. Destroyed during the fateful earthquake of 1693, the town was totally rebuilt in pure Sicilian Baroque style.
The many aristocratic palazzi, such as Palazzo Beneventano, are also fun to see, brimming over with characterful gargoyles, elegant swirls and decorative fancies.
For the fans of the hit detective series Inspector Montalbano, the town hall of Scicli has been used as the fictional regional police HQ from which Montalbano strived to work out whodunit.
The many aristocratic palazzi, such as Palazzo Beneventano, are also fun to see, brimming over with characterful gargoyles, elegant swirls and decorative fancies.
For the fans of the hit detective series Inspector Montalbano, the town hall of Scicli has been used as the fictional regional police HQ from which Montalbano strived to work out whodunit.
modica
The ideal town for chocoholics , Modica is custodian of a 400 year tradition of Sicilian chocolate-making based on Aztec methods and recipes.
Among its magnificient churches, the beautiful Church of San Giorgio stands out, though the “Castello dei Conti”, surveying the town from atop a rocky outcrop, is also very impressive.
Among its magnificient churches, the beautiful Church of San Giorgio stands out, though the “Castello dei Conti”, surveying the town from atop a rocky outcrop, is also very impressive.
Agrigento
The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento is one of the most important archeological sites in the world and a Unesco world heritage site since 1998.
Temple of Hera or Juno Lacinia was erected on the south- east corner of the Valley of the Temples at a height of 120 meters above sea level. Its architecture shows a rigorous artistic perfection.
The setting of Temple of Concordia is unique in the world. Ratios are simple and proportions are perfect.Erected around 430 B.C., it is meters 19,758 by 42,230, slightly larger than a double square. It covers an area of 843,38 square meters and has a height of meters 13,481.
Founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century B.C., Agrigento became one of the leading cities in the Mediterranean world. Its supremacy and pride are demonstrated by the remains of the magnificent Doric temples that dominate the ancient town, much of which still lies intact under today's fields and orchards. Selected excavated areas throw light on the later Hellenistic and Roman town and the burial practices of its early Christian inhabitants.
Temple of Hera or Juno Lacinia was erected on the south- east corner of the Valley of the Temples at a height of 120 meters above sea level. Its architecture shows a rigorous artistic perfection.
The setting of Temple of Concordia is unique in the world. Ratios are simple and proportions are perfect.Erected around 430 B.C., it is meters 19,758 by 42,230, slightly larger than a double square. It covers an area of 843,38 square meters and has a height of meters 13,481.
Founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century B.C., Agrigento became one of the leading cities in the Mediterranean world. Its supremacy and pride are demonstrated by the remains of the magnificent Doric temples that dominate the ancient town, much of which still lies intact under today's fields and orchards. Selected excavated areas throw light on the later Hellenistic and Roman town and the burial practices of its early Christian inhabitants.