Tag: sicilia bedda
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Recalling A Time of Chivalry In Sicily
The UNESCO recognized opera dei pupi was a popular form of entertainment in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Before film and television, it was a favorite form of diversion for men and boys (It’s actually pretty violent and bawdy!). Our hero Orlando and the knights and their enemies recall the age of chivalry, originating…
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The Cloisters Of Monreale
Norman King William II, “The Good” (1153-1189), commissioned Monreale Cathedral in the late 12th century. The cloisters were built in the Arab Norman style in the early 13th century by Venetian artisans. Today, the cathedral is part of the UNESCO site that features nine Arab Norman monuments. Its cloister boasts 128 columns, all possessing different…
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Swimming In Sicily
During these gray days of January in the northeastern United States, I dream of summer in Sicily. Photos that I took of places I swam just months ago give me hope that it won’t be too long until I return to them. There are many different approaches to swimming in Sicily: beaches (both sandy and…
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Hercules Went Clubbing In Sicily
Hercules and the Hydra of Lerna, a fresco in the lobby of the main entrance of Villa Palagonia (18th century), Bagheria, Sicily… Hercules killed the serpentine monster during his second of 12 Labors, an ancient Greek and Roman myth.
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Naughty Or Nice: La Befana Knows
The visit of the friendly witch La Befana is celebrated on Epiphany Eve (January 5) throughout Italy. La Befana is recognized because of her broomstick, shawl, and sack filled with sweets and gifts for children. Legend is that she originally set out to meet the Baby Jesus, but never found her way to Bethlehem. To…
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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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It Looks Like Snow
Yes, it looks like snow, but this isn’t snow. In fact, I took this photo while hiking in Sicily in July! It is the natural wonder of Scala dei Turchi, or Stairs of the Turks, on Sicily’s south coast near Agrigento. The white cliffs pictured are made of a hard-mud material that is a combination…
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Be Awe-Inspired By Harmony In Agrigento, Sicily
The Temple of Concordia is one of seven ancient Greek houses of worship you can discover at Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. It was named for a Latin inscription that was found on a dedication marker unearthed in the vicinity of the archaeological site–i.e., a marker not associated with the temple; however, spirited archaeologists…
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A Slice Of Heaven In Sicily
Artichokes are currently growing in Sicily for the first of two annual seasons (One season is in the spring, the other species is harvested in the fall.). I took this photo while driving through Sicily last January… I can’t really say where I was exactly, but I stopped the car in the middle of the…