The extraordinary Phiale Aurea (or gold platter) of Caltavuturo (a village at the foot of the Madonie mountains of Palermo province) was created by an exceptional Greek goldsmith between the late 4th century/early 3rd century BCE. A bowl such as this one pictured was used during religious rites in ancient times for libations and offerings…
Tag: himera
Cook In Sicily At An Extraordinary Location
It’s hard to describe a day like today would have been because Chef Giuseppe Sciurca and Valeria Signorino do everything 120%. So when I ask them to plan something extraordinary, they come up with something like having a hands-on cooking experience outside under a tree steps from the ancient Greek temple at Himera. I mean,…
Ancient Himera’s Colorful Lions
This recreation of the lion gutters of the Temple of Victory at the site of the ancient city of Himera on Sicily’s north coast illustrates the vibrant colors that the ancient Greek temples throughout the island once possessed. The Temple of Victory was built in the 5th century BCE to celebrate the monumental Greek victory…
Ancient Restaurant Discovered At Himera, Where We’ll Be Cooking
In yesterday’s La Repubblica Palermo newspaper, an article explained that at the site of the ancient Greek city of Himera, they have discovered the 6th Century B.C.E. remains of a caffetteria-style restaurant. Ovens, stoves, pots, pans, and plates have been excavated. I visited Himera and met the director of the site back in June with…