Tag: catania
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Black Castle
The imposing castle at Aci Castello was constructed out of black volcanic rock on top of La Rocca by the Normans starting in the late 11th century. Prior to that time, the promontory hosted both an Arab and Byzantine fortification. The castle was somewhat destroyed in a siege at the turn of the 13th century…
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Drumming Up Business
Tamburello (drum) with medieval scene, outside a store in Catania
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Catania’s Animated Market
Catania boasts a lively fish market each morning. When visiting Catania, this is a spectacle not to miss! Go to Piazza del Duomo, and listen for the fish monger’s calls.
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Catania’s Crispelle
These savory delights are called crispelle, a street food from Catania. They are made by pairing ricotta and anchovies then rolling them in semolina flour and deep frying them in lard. Sweet crispelle are made with rice that has been soaked in sweetened milk, then rolled in flour. Once fried, it is coated in honey.…
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Join Us April 25 in Little Italy
Please join us! On Tues., April 25 at 6:30PM, I will be co-hosting an evening at the Italian American Museum in New York City. Along with Eszter Vajda of You, Me & Sicily (pictured with me here in Catania’s Piazza del Duomo), we will be sharing some news from the region, presenting an episode of…
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After 1669, Landlocked
Remember a couple of weeks ago when I talked about Etna’s eruption in 1669 and how the citizens of Catania didn’t evacuate, which led to thousands of citizens perishing? Well, another casualty of Etna’s wrath during that eruption was Castello Ursino, pictured. Commissioned by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II in 1239 and surrounded by a…
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Spewing For A Millennia
Etna has been spewing lava and ash for millennia. Last week, I was so excited to see it do so in person. Thankfully, the ongoing eruption is somewhat staid and very different than the historic events following March 8, 1669, when the citizens of Catania thought they could challenge Etna. Unfortunately, they were wrong. Over…
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Carnevale Acireale At Night
It’s super late after a long day and evening of taking in the tricks, treats, and folk art of Carnevale in Acireale! The best part for me is talking to the people of the town about the festival and what it means to them. Pictured is one part of an elaborate float that featured the…
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Let Go at Carnevale in Acireale
What fun to dance in the conga line in the Piazza del Duomo of Acireale, Sicily with new friends! That is what Carnevale is all about, letting lose, forgetting the winter blues, and finding joy in the moment. Here I am with some revelers! For Tuesday (Martedì Grasso/Mardi Gras), I’m getting a masque!