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Sicilia

Population: 5.108.067
Surface (Kmq): 25707
Density (Ab/Kmq.): 199
Main city: Palermo (PA)
Other towns: Agrigento (AG); Caltanissetta (CL); Catania (CT); Enna (EN); Messina (ME); Ragusa (RG); Siracusa (SR); Trapani (TP)

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, is a sun-drenched land full of possibilities: wonderful beaches, great cuisine, archaeological sites and beautiful landscapes dotted with frugal villages where you will find women dressed all in black, donkeys, goats and the typical Sicilian way of life. The east coast of the island is dominated by Mount Etna, towering 3180m over the surrounding countryside, controlling the climate and fertility of much of the island. Still active, it is the biggest volcano in Europe. The area to the west of the river Torto has an irregular limestone formation alternating with low rolling hills, while over to the east of the island, between Messina and Mount Etna, lies the easternmost tip of the Peloritani chain - very similar to the mountains of Calabria. Sicily is one of the oldest inhabited parts of Italy, subjected throughout history to invasion from just about every people in the Mediterranean area, all of whom have left their mark.


The Valley of the Temples
The Valley of the Temples is still today the most sublime evidence of Greek civilisation in Sicily and includes many temples built in the 5th century BC. They were erected with local tufa in Doric style and oriented towards the east: at dawn the statue of the god, placed inside the entrance cell, was fully illuminated. The Valley is now an archaeological park covering a large area.

The Acropolis of Gela
Gela's acropolis, situated on a stretched out hill, dominates a fertile plain on the banks of the eponymous river, once a landing spot and penetration way for ships. On the western side of the hill was the Necropolis. Up to 405 BC, the Acropolis housed the town's main sacred buildings.

The Gorges of Alcantara
The Gorges of Alcantara were formed by an eruption in the Mojo crater to the north of Etna, when an enormous quantity of lava flowed towards the sea. The course of the lava river is followed by a water-course - the names of the river and of the valley originate in the period of Arab domination (Al Qantarah) and it refers to an arched bridge built by Romans and able to resist the flooding of the river.

Taormina - The Greek Theatre
The Greek Theatre of Taormina (left) is a magnificent classical theatre and second only in splendour in Sicily to that of Siracusa.

The Castle
Built between 1075 and 1090 by Rodolfo Bonello and restored in recent years. The castle is famous for a tragic episode involving the Baroness of Carini. In 1563 the very beautiful daughter of count Mussomeli, Laura Lanza, bride of Don Vincenzo La Grua, fell in love with Ludovico Vernagallo who reciprocated her affections. Her father, mindful of the good name of the family, tried to put an end to this story, but love resists. So the Count, Laura's father, was pitiless and killed them - the honour of family is now safe. Over time the episode has assumed the colours of legend and become a favourite subject of poets and minstrels.