The island of the wonders: Sicily among history, nature and food
By: Martina Celegato
Submitted: 2010-09-07 10:00:14 | Word Count: 504
We have to thank the various dominations that occupied Sicily for its great richness in history, arts and architecture: Greek, Latin, Byzantine, Arabic, Spanish and French populations dominated the island, and each one of them left a sign in traditions, arts and culture. You can see it, for example, in the Cathedral of Palermo, that keeps its Arabic appearance; going to the Greek theatre of Syracuse, instead, as well as in the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, you dive into Magna Graecia. The variety in history and arts of the whole island is impressive, and this variety is the key of its well deserved fame; but even more than arts, in all of its expressions from architecture to ceramic, what fascinates about Sicily is warmth. In all its meanings: the climate, warm and dry, that may even be too hot, but most of all the warmth of the people, that welcomes strangers on the island as if it were their home, showing the best part of their land.
The regional capital, Palermo, is the fourth Italian city for dimensions; its port is fundamental for the exchanges in the Mediterranean sea thanks to its position, that easily approaches the African coast. So, nowadays Palermo is a big city, with a history behind that makes it rich in monuments, that on their side help the city’s tourism and ready to welcome tourists with receptive structure of any kind: holidays in apartment are at hand, as well as holidays in villa or in hotel, or in other kinds of structures. Of course, Palermo’s surroundings are just as ready to welcome anyone, and B&B Palermo and Sicily greet tourists who wish to visit the wonders of the island.
If the architectural beauties deserve attention, natural wonders deserve nothing less: all the big Sicilian island is a continuous succession of marvels, on the coast and in the inland. Just think of the fabulous beaches, sandy or in fine gravel: there’s enough to satisfy any tastes: anyway, they will be surrounded by splendid landscapes, and will end in a calm and transparent sea, blessed by the sun.
Gastronomy can be totally included among Sicily’s beauties: culinary delicacies appreciated in the whole Italy and more have their origins in Sicily, like arancini, granite, cassata, cannoli, to get to know then typical dishes that do not get out of the island like Palermo’s characteristic “pane e panelle”, sandwiches filled with a kind of pancakes make with a legumes flour, or the as much famous and very Palermitan “pane ca meusa”, a sandwich filled with fried spleen. Sicilian road are full of kiosks selling snacks of any kind: eating something while walking on the road is very common.
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A trip to Sicily includes art, history, nature and food: all the necessary to decide, while leaving, to come back as soon as possible.
