Tag: siracusa

  • Themes of Women’s Worlds in Sicily

    Traveling with mostly women, I decided to focus on a subject that warms my heart, that of Santa Lucia. We started with seeing the Caravaggio, painted in 1608, that recreates the moments surrounding her martyrdom. One of the things that has recently come into focus for me about this painting is the two women grieving.…

  • Ex-Votos in Sicily for Santa Lucia

    At the sanctuary devoted to Santa Lucia in Siracusa, pilgrims offer ex-votos shaped like eyes. Ex-votos are iconographic body parts or other symbols that are offered to a divinity or spirit guide as gratitude for healing or grace received. The eyes and heart pictured here represent ailments of the eyes (Need some insight or help…

  • Day 14 of 16 Days of Sicily | World Class Theater

    Day 14 of 16 Days of Sicily | World Class Theater | Every May through early July the INDA (National Institute of Ancient Dramatic Arts) presents ancient Greek theater in the ancient Greek theater in Siracusa. It’s a reason to travel to Sicily during this season of the year when temperatures are a bit cooler…

  • The Mystery Of Eyes On A Plate

    You can easily identify Santa Lucia because she holds eyes on a plate. In my last post I mentioned that she denied her promised dowery and hand in marriage to a young pagan man during a period in the early 4th century when Christianity was illegal. Well, she wanted to devote herself to Jesus, and…

  • 2024 Small Group Sicily Tours Early Incentive Offers

    I know you may be thinking about shopping. It’s impossible not to when your inbox is full of special deals. Well, we at Experience Sicily during this time of year always offer early registration incentive discounts of up to $300 for most of our next season’s small group tours. Just visit our 2024 Tour Page…

  • Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny Was Filmed In Sicily

    “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” was filmed in Sicily in fall 2021. The day they shot this scene at the Ear of Dionysius, my tour group was scheduled to be at the Neapolis Archaeological Park in Siracusa too. Well, you can guess how that went! We explored the early Christian Catacombs instead, which…

  • Santa Lucia Was Grounded In Her Faith

    On Sunday in New York City, we will celebrate Santa Lucia with a traditional lunch at Pasta Eater restaurant prepared by guest che Giuseppe Sciurca. Full, four-course menu (including cuccìa), live concertino of Sicilian songs, raffle of Sicily-inspired products, and an altar and presentation for Santa Lucia. Register at https://experiencesicily.com/events/festa-di-santa-lucia/ Santa Lucia was born in…

  • Not So Secret Siracusa

    Siracusa, pictured, is one of Sicily’s many must-see highlights. Note that even with the village of Licodia Eubea being the base of July’s Secret Sicily tour, you spend many days touring the eastern part of the island. So, on Day 2, for example, you will be here, in Ortigia, listening to the fish mongers sing…

  • The Ancient Theater At Palazzolo Acreide

    Above the modern city of Palazzolo Acreide, on top of a limestone platue, those who love ancient history will find the ancient Greek city of Akrai. This amphitheater, originally constructed in the late 3rd century BCE, seats about 600 people. During the spring, local school theater companies present performances here.