Experience Sicily

Tag: statue

  • Persian Drummer at Villa Palagonia

    On the left is a print from Bonanni’s 18th-Century “Gabinetto Armonico,” a series of plates documenting antique musical instruments and their players. On the right is an 18th century statue from Bagheria’s Villa Palagonia that was created based on Bonanni’s plate Number 118. It’s a musician with tamburro Persiano or barrel drum from Persia that…

  • La Vecchia: Winter at Quattro Canti

    In Palermo’s historic center two major thoroughfares intersect: Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda. This busy intersection, known as Quattro Canti, is flanked by four 18th century Baroque facades, each with a series of statues: The the city’s former patron saints (prior to Santa Rosalia) at the top, a Spanish king of Sicily (in the…

  • Villa Palagonia: Castanets

    Statue of musician playing castanets, Villa Palagonia, 18th century. (NB, further to yesterday’s post… Castanets are often made with chestnut tree wood.)

  • Autumn in Palermo

    This statue that is at the center of Palermo’s intersection of Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda — know as Quattro Canti, or Four Corners — represents autumn or autunno. Quattro Canti is octagonal in shape, and it is flanked by four 18th century Baroque facades, each with a fountain and a series of statues.…

  • Contemporary Art for an Ancient Icon

    The spectacular and colorful Sanctuary, “il Santuario della Madonna del Tindari,” was built in the 20th century to accommodate the flow of pilgrims coming to see the iconic statue of Tindari’s “Madonna Bruna” or Black Madonna. This mural is from the dome above the church’s main altar. September 8 is the feast day in honor…

  • Celebrating the Black Madonna of Tindari

    Thousands of pilgrims are expected on Monday, September 7 at the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna of Tindari. The town of Patti is even planning to close down one side of State Highway 113 to accommodate all the devotees expected to participate in the multiple masses, the solemn evening procession of the iconic Madonna Nera…

  • One Monster

    One of what was once over six hundred, now approximately 70,  statues of monsters, fantastic characters, imaginary animals, knights, ladies, peasants, and musicians that decorated the outer walls and grounds of Villa Palagonia in Bagheria. (Photo by Experience Sicily’s Filippo Buttitta)

  • Black Madonna at Castellamare del Golfo

    Tucked away near the castle that gives Castellamare del Golfo its name is the Chiesa di Maria SS del Rosario, which is believed to have been built in such a secluded corner during the Norman era, circa 1100, to hide it from invading pirates. Inside is this alter devoted to the Madonna dell’Agnuni, or Madonna…

  • The Genius of Palermo

    This 16th century statue in Palermo’s Piazza Revoluzione is one of eight representations of a crowned man with a snake feeding on his breast that can be found throughout Sicily’s capital city. It is The Genius of Palermo, an ancient icon–so ancient that the mythological pre-Roman origins are uncertain. Il Genio di Palermo is considered…