Tag: ortigia
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The Ancient Art Of Basket Weaving In Sicily
Claudio Romano has a deep knowledge of medicinal herbs and wild plants, especially those from the Hyblaean Mountains of southeastern Sicily. Building on his passion for flora, Romano learned the art of basket weaving, a practice that has existed since humans sought containers to keep their foodstuffs and other products. Watching him work and learning…
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Say Yes To Sicily In 2020
Whenever I’m in Siracusa, I make a point to stop by the Antico Mercato in Ortigia to say hello to Angelo. Perhaps my roots as the great-granddaughter of fishermen from Porticello make me feel right at home in amongst the swordfish. TIP: Life is slower in Sicily, so when you are visiting friends and family…
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The Alleys Of Ortigia
The alleyways of Ortigia Island in Siracusa are purposefully designed as a type of labyrinth, and there is a good reason for it. Strategically speaking, if you are planning to defend your village from invaders (The island of Ortigia was invaded many times, most egregiously by the Arabs in 877-878.), curved streets not in a…
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May Light Greet You Today
Viva Santa Lucia!
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Thanks To Cacio E Vino And Our Guests | Viva Santa Lucia
A few photos from our Experience Sicily Santa Lucia Feast in New York City. Thanks to Cacio e Vino for hosting us with the excellent food and service! Thanks to our guests who brought their beautiful spirits to share with each other! It was a joyful afternoon. Viva Santa Lucia!
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A Dagger? Eyes On A Plate? What Intrigue!
A dagger? Eyes on a plate? What intrigue! (Continued from an earlier post…) Inspired by Sant’Agata of Catania before her, Lucia refused to participate in the activities of the brothel to which she was condemned. This of course, angered the madame, who called the Roman authorities to further punish the maiden. Somewhere in this mayhem,…
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Let’s Light Up These Dark Days on Sunday With Santa Lucia
At the dawn of the 4th century, practicing Christianity in the Roman-ruled city of Siracusa was illegal. Already though, inspired by nearby Catania’s Patron Saint, Sant’Agata, who lived just a few decades before (from 231 AD – 251 AD), the young and beautiful Lucia devoted herself to Christianity. In fact, she was known to enter…
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Let’s Have A Ball On Sunday
Sunday in NYC: Let’s eat rice balls!! Santa Lucia is the patron saint of grain, and as a result, arancine, or rice balls, are a significant element to celebrating the Feast of Santa Lucia. So much so, that in Palermo, her feast day is also the Sagra delle Arancine. Why rice balls (pictured)? To commemorate…
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Let’s Celebrate Santa Lucia In New York Together
You are invited to Celebrate La Festa di Santa Lucia! Next Sunday in New York City at Cacio e Vino, Experience Sicily will host the Feast of Santa Lucia (Saint Lucy), the beloved patroness from Siracusa, Sicily who is venerated from Venice to Sweden and beyond. It is a festival of light to help us…