Experience Sicily

Tag: UNESCO

  • Monreale Offers A Moment Of Peace

    Whenever I visit the cloisters (chiostro) of Monreale Cathedral, I enjoy taking a moment at the fountain that anchors one of the corners of the garden. Its elegance and ancient beauty transport me to another era, somewhere far away. Somewhere peaceful. The cloisters were built by Sicilian and Venetian artisans in the early 13th century…

  • A Curated Experience

    Yesterday in Palermo, our guide Jacqueline explained in depth the politics of Norman king Roger II (pictured here, being crowned by Jesus in the Martorana Church), and then applied the discourse to what is happening in Italy today. The inspired discussion at dinner last night proved why I can’t emphasize enough the importance of working…

  • With A Cherry On Top

    The red domes of San Cataldo church overlook Via Maqueda and Piazza Bellini in Palermo. San Cataldo was built during the early-Norman era in the 1150s by Maio of Bari, William I’s top emir, or commander. Its red domes and elegant window details illustrate the unique Arab-Norman architectural style found only in Sicily.

  • Diamonds Under the Soles of Your Shoes

    The spellbinding inlaid floor of the La Chiesa di Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio (c. 1143) or, the “Martorana” Church, in Palermo is a splendid example of Arab and Norman architectural and decorative styles. Semi-precious stone and marble pieces create dizzying and spectacular mosaic designs.

  • Agrigento: Blooming With Music and Dance

    This year’s Sagra del Mandorlo in Fiore in Agrigento is ongoing (This photo, by my cousin Filippo Buttitta, was taken at the 2016 feast.). Folk dance and music groups from all over the world gather annually to share their cultural patrimony at the UNESCO site Valley of the Temples and throughout the city. Although I’ve…

  • Happy Valentine’s Day

    Happy Valentine’s Day! May love rule!

  • Giving, Norman-Sicilian Style

    In the late 12th century, Norman King William II, “The Good” (1172-1189) commissioned Monreale Cathedral in the mountains south of Palermo, where he spent much time hunting in the woods. Legend is that one day after a hunt, while napping under a tree, the Virgin Mother appeared to William in a dream and told him…

  • Ragusa’s Duomo

    The Duomo di San Giorgio in Ragusa was built in the 18th century in the late baroque Sicilian style, following the historic earthquake of 1693. We’ll visit Ragusa, one of the UNESCO towns that is part of the Sicilian Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto, on Day 2 of our Sept. 2018 Stirring…

  • Time Is Of The Essence

    Time is of the essence! There are just three days left to take advantage of the Nov. 1 early incentive discount for our 2018 tours. Reserve your spot on any of our 2018 tours by Nov. 1, and you could save up to $400/person! Learn more at ExperienceSicily.com and you could marvel at Palermo’s fascinating…