Category: History
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The Rocky Necropolis Of Pantalica, Sicily
Pantalica Nature Reserve is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the approximately 5,000 ancient tombs that are cut into its limestone canyon walls. Sections of the rocky necropolis date as far back as the 12th century BCE.
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The Lions Of Palermo’s Royal Palace
The mosaics from the chambers of Roger II (Sala di Re Rogero) in the Royal Palace in Palermo are a spectacular example of Arab Norman secular design. They date to the mid 12th century, the same period that the Cappella Palatina was constructed.
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A Landmark Staircase In Sicily
The Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte in Caltagirone, Sicily was built in 1609 to connect the old lower town to the new upper town. Since 1954, each of the risers of its 142 steps has been decorated with colorful, handcrafted majolica ceramic tiles. This UNESCO recognized baroque town is world renowned for its ceramic…
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Sicily’s Valley Of The Temples’ First Temple
The Temple of Heracles (or Hercules or il Tempio di Ercole) of Agrigento, Sicily’s Valley of the Temples possesses eight reconstructed, massive Doric-style columns. Built in the late 6th century BCE, it is considered the first temple to have been constructed of the seven that we know of at the Valley of the Temples. Valley…
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They Looked For Love In Erice, Sicily
The town Erice (pronounced Èh-ree-chay) is named for Eryx (or Eros), the mythical son of the goddess Venus and her lover, King Bute of the ancient Elimi tribe (NB that makes the Greco-Roman hero Aeneas his half-brother.). Erice boasts a 12th century Norman castle (pictured), known as Il Castello di Venere or the Castle of…
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The Palm Tree Represents Unification In Palermo
Artists from multiple cultural origins contributed to these mosaic designs that exist in the Cappella Palatina, the private chapel commissioned by Sicilian King Roger II (1095-1154) and completed by his heir, King William I (1120-1166). The palm tree, the central icon of this photo, has significance to many peoples, many of whom came together to…
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The Outstanding Leadership Of Sicily’s Roger II
More than ever, I’m seeking a dinner date with Roger II (1095-1154) … An outstanding leader, Roger II incorporated and encouraged inclusion of all of the various cultures, religions, and races that shared Sicily–native Sicilian, Norman, Arab, Byzantine, Greek, Jewish, English, German, and more–into his government. As a result, Sicily thrived, and it became the…
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The Ear Of Dionysius, An Historic Cave In Sicily
The manmade Ear of Dionysius (Orecchio di Dionisio) is an enormous cave in the Neapolis (New City) archaeological park in Siracusa. It was a prison for centuries. Legend is that the ancient Greek tyrant Dionysius could hear prisoners’ whispers utilizing the former quarry’s acoustics.
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Giovanni Falcone’s Ideas Remain In Sicily
Men pass, but ideas remain. Remain as moral strength that lives on in the strides of future generations. “Gli uomini passano, ma le idee restano. Restano le tensioni morali che continueranno a camminare sulle gambe di altri uomini,” said Giovanni Falcone (pictured left). On May 23, 1992, in Capaci, along Sicily’s autostrada between the Punta…