A silver sea of olive trees with the Mediterranean sea in the distance Between Castelvetrano and Menfi, Trapani Province Probably Nocellara del Belice species
Tag: castelvetrano
The Extraordinary Church Of San Domenico In Castelveltrano, Sicily
The Chiesa di San Domenico in Castelvetrano in Trapani Province is a masterpiece. Originally built in the 1470s when commissioned by the Tagliavia family, the church gained spectacle status once artist Antonio Ferraro da Giuliana and his sons spent three years from 1577-1580 creating the stucco scene above the altar titled “Albero di Jesse,” or…
The Punic Goddess Tanit In Sicily
After the ancient southwestern Sicilian city of Selinunte was pillaged by Carthaginian (i.e., Punic) forces between 409 and 406 BCE, the Greek city became Punic for a time. The Carthaginians built a new town, recycling the materials and reclaiming temples from the magnificent Greek community that preceded it. Throughout today’s archaeological site, some ruins of…
The Other Temple Of Apollo In Sicily
Temple “C,” or the Temple of Apollo, at the ancient Greek colony of Selinunte was built between 560 and 540 B.C. (The better known Temple of Apollo , and one that archaeologists will say they know for sure is dedicated to the sun god, is the Temple of Apollo in Ortigia, Siracusa.)
Patron Saint George
I was so excited about Cerda’s artichokes yesterday, I failed to recognize Saint George’s feast day, which was 23 April. But, don’t despair! All week in Modica, where he is the patron of the town, there are events leading up to the annual procession and celebration, which will be on Sunday, April 29. Here, you’ll…
Temple E Is Electric
Today considered Europe’s largest archeological site, Selinunte was a Greek city built on the southwestern coast of Sicily by colonists from the eastern Sicilian Greek outpost of Megara Hyblea. Founded around 651 BC, it displayed its power by building massive temples dedicated to various gods, like this one pictured, Temple E, which scholars believe was…
Our Hearts Are Warmed
We stopped for lunch at one of my “homes” in Sicily, Case di Latomie, where my dear friend Sebastiano Chiofalo of GelsominoImports.com hosted us among the olive trees. Sicilian hospitality continues to amaze me and warm my heart. Thank you to chef Francesco Gallo for a remarkable lunch! From left to right, Jennifer Bowen, Nola Bee, Allison…
Play On The Beach
On Friday, June 23, as part of the “Le Forme di Telesis,” or The Shapes of Telesis, arts festival, “The Trojan Women” by Euripedes will be presented in the Parco Archeologico di Selinunte e Cave di Cusa in Castelvetrano. The interpretation, which will emphasize the plight of women immigrants, will be performed on the beach…
Ready for Business
Vendor set up to receive customers during the September Feast for the Madonna della Tagliata, Castelvetrano (Trapani)
Tumminia, Sicily’s Ancient Grain
Tumminia (pictured at Molini del Ponte in Castelvetrano), also called Timilia, is an ancient grain variety cultivated in only a few locations in the Belice Valley in western Sicily. Once milled, it plays the role of principal ingredient in Castelvetrano’s Slow Food designated pane nero (black bread). Filippo Drago, owner of Molini del Ponte in Castelvetrano, makes…