DESTINATION:

Sicily

Lying at the crossroads between East and West, in the heart of the Mediterranean, Sicily has witnessed a succession of differing peoples and cultures. For centuries the island provided the link between Europe and Africa, and it is hardly surprising that layers of history have left a legacy of rich museum collections and fascinating archaeological sites. Its successive invaders, rulers and opportunists have contributed to the island’s cultural make-up, and throughout Sicily reminders of its turbulent and colourful past are much in evidence.

Following the trade routes established by the early Phoenicians, the Greeks discovered the potential of the island and left their mark by way of some outstanding buildings, several of which have survived to this day. The Romans, too, found Sicily to their liking and went to great lengths to establish an important colony. This period of prosperity was interrupted in turn by Barbarians from the north and by the Byzantines prior to the arrival of the Muslims who re-established the island as a centre of prosperity and who oversaw a period of stability for a period of some three hundred years. The arrival of the Normans in the 11th century saw the beginning of a remarkable age in architectural achievements as the invaders introduced their aesthetic tastes and engineering know-how: the magnificent cathedrals of Monreale and Cefalù are just two reminders of the flourishing of the Romanesque style during this time. More recent times witnessed the construction of glorious churches and palaces as the Sicilian Baroque took hold during the 17th and 18th centuries, adding to a beguiling and enchanting mix of architectural styles found throughout the island.

This kaleidoscope of successive cultures has also resulted in a varied cuisine which transcends even the ubiquitous culinary delights of mainland Italy. Our tour therefore will introduce us not only to some of the island’s heritage but also offers the opportunity to sample some of the Sicily’s fine food and wines.

Recommended duration - 5 nights/6 days

KEY VISITS (Recommended)

SYRACUSE – located near the south-eastern corner of Sicily on the Ionian coast, Siracusa (Syracuse) was built on an ancient Greek settlement founded by Corinthians in 734 BC and described as one of the most beautiful cities of the ancient world. It was the most important city in Magna Graecia, and for a time rivalled Athens as the most important city of the Greek world. Visits in Syracuse include the following:

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE – located in the Neapolis quarter of Syracuse it contains a Greek theatre, the remains of a Roman amphitheatre and the spectacular altar of the tyrant, Hieron II. There are also notable stone quarries called latomie, which include the so-called ‘Ear of Dionysos’, with its curious acoustics.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM – displays an extensive collection of artefacts from Siracusian temples, ranging from the Paleothic era to the Byzantine period, clearly illustrating the ancient history of the entire province.
ORTIGIA (literally ‘quail’) – the town’s oldest quarter, situated on an adjoining island. The spectacular Cathedral is located here, which was begun in 1728 by the architect, Andrea Palma. It has a Baroque façade and contained within the cathedral is the Temple of Athena, which dates back to the 5th century BC. Further highlights include the remains of the Temple of Apollo and the beautiful Fountain of Arethusa. Also contained within the Cathedral is the remains of the Temple of Apollo and the beautiful Fountain of Arethusa.
NOTO – a perfect example of Sicilian Baroque architecture. The whole town was rebuilt following the devastating earthquake of 1693, and many buildings are carved from the local white stone, tufa. Our visit will also include the grand 18th century Cathedral, which is most noted for its dramatic staircase, marble altar, and beautiful frescoes, and houses the relics of Noto’s patron saint, St Corrado Confalonieri.

ALTERNATIVE VISITS

TAORMINA – one of the earliest and still one of the most attractive of the Mediterranean citadels. The city is located on a plateau below Mount Tauro, after which it is named, and its centre is a sheer delight to explore. Visits include the Greek Theatre, which dates back to the 3rd century BC and is one of the finest archaeological sites in Sicily. Its attraction is due partly to its remarkable state of preservation but also to its position overlooking the sea. The public gardens here are also of note – designed by Mrs Florence Trevelyan at the end of the 19th century, its flowerbeds, lawns, hedges, trees and bushes are spread over the large terrace which affords magnificent views of the surrounding area.
CATANIA – a visit will include the Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l’Arena, one of the largest monasteries in Europe. Dating back to the 16th century, the monastery has undergone various structural changes over the years as a result of severe damage from two natural disasters in the 17th century. The monastery is a key example of late Sicilian Baroque architecture and is now used as a University building.
SAVOCA – considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Hidden away in the hills above Santa Teresa di Riva, the small town dates back to the 12th century. Just a short walk from the town’s main square, is the Capuchin Monastery. The 17th century crypt, situated in the convent’s basement, contains a number of mummified corpses belonging to the town’s nobility, some of which are remarkably preserved.

To cover the primary sites of the island and provide a good overview of the highlights, the tour needs to be based in Syracuse to the south east of the island and Palermo to the north west of the island. En route from Syracuse to Palermo we suggest an overnight stop in Agrigento.

PIAZZA ARMERINA – visit the 4th century Villa Romana del Casale, believed to be the former villa of Maximianus Herculeus. This excavated Roman villa dates from the late Imperial period and the floor is covered with delightful mosaics depicting mythological scenes and scenes from daily Roman life.
AGRIGENTO – one of the most powerful cities of the ancient Greeks; the VALLEY OF THE TEMPLES is a vast complex of ancient Greek structures comprising mainly Doric temples, including the Temples of Herakles, Juno and the Olympian Zeus. The best-preserved temple is the Temple of Concordia, with its perfect dimensions, which dates back to the 5th century BC. Visits will also include the ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, which houses many artefacts and sculptures from the temples and the surrounding area.

PALERMO – the largest and undoubtedly the most interesting city on the entire island, offering a fascinating kaleidoscope of Sicilian history. The city enjoys a marvellous setting against the harbour of La Cala, and its exotic flavour is evident everywhere in its mix of oriental and european architecture. Visits will include the following:

PALERMO CATHEDRAL – built by the Archbishop of Palermo in the late 12th century on the former site of a Mosque. The cathedral boasts several different architectural styles, including an impressive neoclassical interior, and houses a collection of Royal tombs and a fine treasury.
PALATINE CHAPEL – located inside the NORMAN ROYAL PALACE, displays a dazzling blend of mosaics and marble inlaid with gold, stone and glass, traditional Orthodox iconography and a painted Arabic ceiling.
GALLERIA NATIONALE – is housed in Palazzo Abatellis, an imposing building in Gothic-Catalan style built in 1490. The collection contains many famous paintings, including Annunziata by Antonello da Messina and Eleonora D’Aragona by Francesco Laurana.
CHURCH OF LA MARTORANA – also called Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio (St Mary’s of the Admiral). Constructed by Admiral George of Antioch in 1140, the church’s interior is decorated with stunning mosaics, most notably the Mosaic of Christ with Four Angels in the dome of the church.
SAN CATALDO – a tiny church distinguished by its three pink cupolas. It has remained largely unchanged since the 12th century and is the religious seat of the knights of the Holy Sepulchre.

FURTHER AFIELD

MONREALE – with special emphasis on Norman-Byzantine art. Monreale, from ‘Mons Regalis’ (Royal Mountain), is a town of some 25,000 residents located on the slope of Mount Caputo to the south of Palermo’s centre. Its spectacular Cathedral is a striking mixture of Arab, Byzantine and Norman artistic styles framed by traditional Romanesque architecture, all combined in a perfect blend of the best that both the Christian and Muslim worlds of the 12th century had to offer. Also of note is the splendid colonnaded Benedictine Cloister of the adjoining Abbey, combining Arab and Norman architecture. Relationships between Sicily and England during the Norman period were strong and the mosaics in the apse of the Cathedral depict one of the first representations of Saint Thomas Beckett.
CEFALÙ – situated on the island’s northern coastline. This medieval town was built on the site of an ancient Sicanian and Greek settlement, but in fact, except for a few archaeological items in the local museum, all that remains of these ancient cultures today is a small structure (the Temple of Diana) on the mountain overlooking the town. Visit the impressive 12th century Cathedral, one of the finest Norman cathedrals in Sicily, and famed for its celebrated Byzantine mosaics.
SEGESTA – the abandoned ancient city located in the province of Trapani. Much of the area is still largely unexcavated and the dramatic tranquil setting of the massive Doric Temple is unmarred by modern developments. The spectacular hillside temple was never completed due to the devastating attack on Selinunte by the Carthaginians. We will also visit the nearby theatre on Monte Barbaro, which dates back to the 3rd century BC.
SELINUNTE – founded in 651 BC, and one of the most important archaeological sites of the entire Mediterranean. Visits include the archaeological area, including the temple and acropolis, and the quarries ‘Cave di Cusa’, one of the natural marvels of Sicily, from which the Selinuntines extracted the calcareous material used to build the temples.

RELATED DESTINATIONS

Are you a Group Organiser? Do you have any ideas you would like to explore? If so, send us your details and we will give you a call at a time that’s convenient for you.