Sicily - pleasure and fatalism
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Everything you must see in Sicily
Leaving the Italian mainland and crossing the bridge
of Messina, feels like entering a new country. 25,000 km2 with art
of various influences. In its long history, the island has been ruled by
Greeks, Romans, Normans, Arabs and many other peoples, all of whom have left
their footprints. This extraordinary mix even has its own name:
Norman-Arabic-Byzantine art. Of course, Gelsenkirchen Baroque is nice, too, but
Germany seems more like filter coffee compared to well sugared espresso. And
yes, the mafia in Sicily is not just a cliché, but a sad reality. Corruption,
violence and the law of silence still plague society today. But the islanders are
even known for their warmth and hospitality. If this destination is missing on
your bucket list, you should add it soon; at the latest at the end of this
article.
Palermo
Probably no one wants to drive by car across Italy, so
we logically start in Palermo. Nowhere else is the contradictory Sicilian reality
more apparent than in its capital. On the one hand those who are on the hunt
for impressive architecture will be delighted and on the other hand bitterly
disappointed. Although the buildings of many eras are an impressive piece of
culture, the facades are often in need of renovation and some districts were thanks to Mafia corruption built simply with concrete. Moreover, Palermo is known for
its traffic chaos. Therefore, park the car and explore the city on foot.
Must See:
- Porta Nuova - Triumphal Arch
- Teatro Massimo - Opera House
- Cathedral of Maria Santissima Assunta
- Piazza Bellini
- Piazza Pretoria
- Basilica di Monreale
- Mercato del Capo
- La Vucciria – market
Cefalù - beach, mountains and Norman Dome
Between the Mediterranean and the 270m high Rocca di
Cefalù lies the eponymous town. The untouched charm of the medieval streets is
crowned by the Norman cathedral of San Salvatore. Right next to the city there
is one of the most beautiful beaches in northern Sicily. Sicilian small town atmosphere.
Must See:
- Cathedral of San Salvatore
- Lavatoio Medievale - Arabic washhouse
- Waterside promenade
Taormina and Isola Bella
We leave the north coast and travel to the Ionian Sea
in the east. Maybe you know the name Taormina from the news, because in 2017
the G7 states met here. The city is located directly on the coast and 200m
above sea level overlooking the smoking Etna. Very close to the beach there is
the so-called Isola Bella, a small island connected to the mainland by a sandbar.
It´s well suitable as a photo motive. In the old town, numerous small boutiques
and shops offer you souvenirs, before you sip a Café Ginseng piccolo just as
Ernest Hemmingway in the famous Café Wunderbar.
Must See:
- Teatro Greco - Greek Theatre
- Dom San Nicolò, baroque fountain on the cathedral square
- Corso Umberto – strolling promenade
- Piazza IX. Aprile
- Palazzo Corvaja
- Palazzo Duchi
Etna - the volcano
At 3,323 meters, Mount Etna is the largest active
volcano in Europe. And because it´s on our way, voila. This mountain is worth
seeing. People with energy should take a hike on the volcano. Up there,
however, it is winterly cold and even in summer, temperatures are often around
freezing point. Therefore, take your hat and scarf if you are one of the
wanderlusty nature discoverers. If you happen to be there in winter, skis
should also be packed, as the combination of powder snow and sea views is unique.
Syracuse - old town island
Siracusa or Syracuse is clearly separated in ancient
and modern times. While the old town was built on an offshore island, the new
part of the city is located directly across the mainland. At this stop an incredibly
large amount of tourist activities are at visitors` command, because at every
corner there are palaces, museums and churches of various religions. If you
have time left, drive to Noto, 40 km away. This place is commonly known as the
capital of Sicilian Baroque.
Must See:
- Piazza del Duomo
- Orecchio de Dioniso - Ear of Dionysus
- Early Christian catacombs
- Fonte Aretusa - freshwater spring
- Teatro Greco - Greek Theatre
- Temple of Apollo
- Palazzo Bellomo
- Palazzo Parisio
- Cathedral of Syracuse
- Santuario della Madonna delle Lacrime - pilgrimage church
Marzamemi - the fishing village
You cannot get much further to the south of Italy.
Only a few kilometres from one of the three corners of the island you will find
the pretty village of Marzamemi. Since the Middle Ages, the place is famous for
fish and especially tuna. Thus, of course, a romantic visit to a fish
restaurant is recommended.
Must
See:
- Fish
Modica - city of chocolate
Chocolate addicts watch out! Anyone who has always
wanted to change his diet to chocolate only has the perfect opportunity. Under
Spanish rule, the city served as a place of transhipment for cocoa, which is
why for over 400 years chocolate has been produced here in the Aztec tradition.
The construction of the city integrates the rocky environment. For example, some
houses have an exterior wall made of rock. In general, Modica is characterized
by altitude differences, which is why endless steps make wheelchair users` life
hell.
Must See:
- Castello dei Conti
- Cathedral San Giorgio
- Cava d'Ispica - limestone gorges
- Chocolate Museum
Ragusa - two cities at once
After Ragusa was largely destroyed by an earthquake in
1693, there was disagreement over the reconstruction. Then the noble and
wealthy inhabitants built the place Ragusa "superiore", while the common
people founded Ragusa Ibla. For a long time, both places were considered two
different cities and were finally merged in 1926. There is a lot of Baroque
architecture in the area due to the earthquake. Tourists are more attracted to
Ragusa Ibla, because there is a charming muddle of houses, palaces and
churches.
Must See:
- Basilica the San Giorgio
- Giardino Ibleo - Garden with a view of Ragusa
- Church of Maria delle Scale - Saint Mary of the Steps
- Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista
- Restaurant Duomo - two Michelin stars
Enna
Let's leave the coast and go to the geographical centre
of Sicily. Here you can really experience the nature of the island. Thanks to
the altitude of 970 m, temperatures are more bearable in midsummer than in
coastal areas. In addition, you can get a fabulous view in Enna and an
excellent impression of rural Sicily. Water lovers do not have to starve due to
the absence of the ocean, as some beautiful lakes in the area can serve as a
substitute.
Must See:
- Castello di Lombardia
- Lago di Pergusa - Lake
- Dom Maria Santissima della Visitazione
- Torre di Federico II
Scala dei Turchi - stairs of the Turks
Back at the sea we stop at a nature monument. The
Scala dei Turchi is a snow-white rock right on the water. Its shape is
reminiscent of stairs that can also be climbed. Since next door there are also beaches,
this stop is ideal for a beach trip.
Selinunte - ancient excavation site
Most sights in Sicily are from the Middle Ages or
modern times. Even amateur archaeologists will enjoy this stop, since in the
ancient excavation site of Selinunte there are many Greek ruins. Columns,
temples and even an acropolis bear witness to the relevance of this ancient settlement
from the Hellenic period of Sicily.
Trapani - city of the two seas
Exactly on the northwest corner of the island lies
Trapani. Thanks to its strategic location on two seas, the city has always been
a major Mediterranean port. There is also a founding myth: either Demeter (Greek
goddess of fertility) or Kronos (Titan) has dropped a sickle. What a
scatterbrain! Today, however, thanks to the many white houses, the Arabic
influence is more prominent.
Must See:
- Castello della Colombaia
- Piazza Garibaldi
- Cathedral of San Lorenzo
- Corso Vittorio Emanuele - Baroque avenue
- Basilica of Maria Santissima Annunziata
- Museum Agostino Pepoli - Museum of local coral processing
Erice - the mountain
Close to Trapani there is the unique town of Erice.
Although Sicily is generally characterized by mountains, this place is
something special. This place was settled on a more than 700 m high mountain
directly overlooking the sea. The architecture is characterized by the
influences that we`ve already gotten to know all over the island. If you are in
the west of Sicily, you should not miss Erice, because the view is well worth
seeing.
Must See:
- View
Castellamare del Golfo
Actually, the attraction of the place is less the
architecture, but rather la spiaggia (beach). Sure, we were already bathing on
the Turkish stairs, but let's face it, you can never splash enough. And you can
visit them, because there are picturesque bays and beaches.
Must See:
- Bay of Guidaloca
- Bay of Scopello
- Costa dello Zingaro
Now we are at the end of our trip to Sicily. Pleasure
is very important on the island, because the people there really know how to
live. Fatalism on the other hand describes the widespread corruption and
mismanagement that reigns like a shadow on the beauty of Sicily. But fatalism
also means accepting fate as it comes. If you want to get to know this way of
life, you should simply make our Sicily road trip.
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