Category: History
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Ragusa, Sicily Has So Much To Behold
Ragusa is comprised of two towns, the ancient hilltop town of Ragusa Ibla, and the modern city that faces it on a plateau west of the old city. Ibla, named for the Iblean Mountains where is stands, has been occupied for millennia. We don’t know too much about ancient life in Ibla because in 1693…
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Day 3 of 16 Days of Sicily | Outstanding Temples Without The Crowds
The Doric temple at Segesta is thought to have been built by a Sicilian-Greek architect who was influenced by Athenian styles. Constructed around 420 BCE, there are theories, which are based on its excellent condition, that the sacred building may never have been completed; therefore, there was never a reason for invaders to desecrate or destroy…
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Kingdom of Sicily 1130 – 1266: A New Treatise To Know
Congratulations Louis Mendola and Jacqueline Alio on their latest treatise, Kingdom of Sicily 1130-1266! I am in awe of the detailed research that was completed to write this book that will be a consistent reference for me for years to come as I continue to transmit how the history of Sicily offers humanity endless lessons…
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A Cannoli Moment In Palermo
There are spots on tomorrow’s Cannoli Crawl, and still time to sign up! There is also availabilty on Saturday, April 8th’s tour. Register at link in bio or at https://cannolicrawl.com. Join me in New York City to know why this beautiful pastry from Palermo, pictured, is, well, the model for a memorable moment. *Stuffed upon…
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Wheat, Wheat Everywhere! Sicily’s Economic Engine
Wheat. Hard durum wheat. To truly understand Sicily, one must understand that the act of cultivating grains on the island has probably been the main economic engine of the region for millennia. The Greeks started it, but the Romans made it their main business in Sicily. They had an empire to feed, after all. From…
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January 1693 Leveled Everything
I can’t emphasis enough how significant the infamous earthquakes of 1693 were to eastern Sicily. First of all, it wasn’t just one day or one event. “The earthquake” was a series of tremors that started on January 9, 1693 with a hypothetical 6.2 magnitude (there was no Richter Scale at the time) followed by a…
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Sicily And The Cyclops
This is a cyclops. Well, sort of. It’s actually the skeleton of an elephant. A small elephant that at one time was indigenous to Sicily. Yup, that’s right. This animal, which is the size of a Vespa motor bike, once roamed the ancient landscape of Sicily. (Remember, part of Sicily is on the African tectonic…
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The Ancient Theater At Palazzolo Acreide
Above the modern city of Palazzolo Acreide, on top of a limestone platue, those who love ancient history will find the ancient Greek city of Akrai. This amphitheater, originally constructed in the late 3rd century BCE, seats about 600 people. During the spring, local school theater companies present performances here.
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Selinunte Was Never The Same
The ancient Greek city of Selinunte was brought to its knees in 409 BCE by the Cartheginians. Although it was reestablished by the victors, it never reached the same beauty or prominence as it had during the Greek era, when this temple, Temple O, was constructed.