Blog - A Piece of Sicily

Greek-Roman Sicily: between art and history

Sicily, with all its years of dominations and conquests by different populations and cultures, offers a unique historical heritage. Trying to summarize all of Sicily’s archaeological and cultural past is an impossible task indeed.

Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans: many were the different cultures that landed on the island and left an indelible testimony of their passage in the architectural and landscape physiognomy of Sicily.

If you are a classical history buff, take a look at some interesting facts about the island’s Greek-Roman period.

The four WWF oases in Sicily

Sicily has a unique natural and landscape heritage. This immense environmental wealth must be protected and preserved from possible damage and neglect that could alter its beauty and the great biodiversity it encompasses. Precisely for this reason, the WWF has decided to establish four oases in Sicily, as well as recreating a solid network of volunteers in the territory aiming to protect the immense natural heritage of the island.

The four WWF oases in Sicily are represented by the Torre Salsa Oriented Reserve, the Saline of Trapani and Paceco, the Capo Rama Oriented Reserve and the Integral Reserve of Lago Preola and Gorghi Tondi.

So here is some more information about these wonderful places that can be included in the itinerary of your Island journey!

A stroll in Catania: what to see in the Etnean city

On the slopes of the majestic Mount Etna rises the beautiful Catania, the second largest city in Sicily. Pearl of Val di Noto, Catania was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.

Sitting in the eastern half of the island, Catania is a gem worth visiting and exploring: here is a list of places you can’t miss if you find yourself in this spectacular city!

A menu based on saffron, the red gold of Sicily

Saffron is also known as the red gold of Sicily. A fragrant spice with many benefits, saffron is very expensive because, among other things, of the lengthy process of cultivation and processing.

Appreciated by many, this spice enriches countless recipes, giving them a pleasing yellow color, as well as a unique aroma and taste.

Journey through the most beautiful caves of Sicily

Sicily is a spectacular land and has countless enchanting landscapes that definitely deserve to be visited.

Among these, there are many fascinating natural caves, with their mysterious atmosphere, ideal for adventurous people looking to explore uncontaminated nature.

It is impossible to make a complete list of all the caves on the island, so here are five beautiful and unique caves that you absolutely must include in your travel itinerary if you are in Sicily!

Almonds in Sicilian pastries

Almonds are a typical ingredient of Sicilian cuisine and are used in the making of many delicious dishes.

Sicily is one of the major national producers of almonds and their quality is superlative. From first courses such as pesto alla trapanese, to desserts, the fruit of the almond tree is one of the main protagonists of Trinacria’s cuisine.

So here is a list of five almond-based desserts you can enjoy in Sicily!

Life and works of Antonello da Messina, famous Sicilian painter

Besides an incredible variety of natural beauties and landscapes, Sicily can also boast an extraordinary cultural and artistic heritage.

Numerous are the literates, painters, sculptors, directors who have represented the splendors of the island, making known the immense beauty of this land to the whole world.

Among the various artists of the Sicilian culture, we have to mention the famous Antonello da Messina, one of the main painters of the fifteenth century.

So here is some more information about this famous artist and his art, renowned all over the world.

What to see in Agrigento, the wonderful City of Temples

Agrigento is an ancient city founded around 580 BC by some settlers from the Greek islands of Crete and Rhodes. The settlers had baptized this city with the name of Akragas. The territory of Agrigento was inhabited by indigenous populations even before the arrival of the Greeks.

The name Agrigentum was given by the Romans that conquered the city during the Punic wars. Subsequently, it became Girgenti, renamed by the Normans, whose dominion was established after the Arabs and, at last, the official name was given in 1927.

Today Agrigento is also known as the City of Temples for its marvelous Valley, an immense archaeological wealth recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.

If you are planning to visit this wonderful city, here are some places you can’t miss during your trip!

Five traditional Sicilian eggplant recipes

One of the most beloved and popular products in Sicily is definitely the eggplant; the dishes made of this vegetable are countless.

Eggplants can be used to prepare tasty appetizers, first courses, side dishes, second courses and even… desserts! Thinking of listing all the recipes based on the famous purple vegetable would be impossible: so here is a list of five typical Sicilian eggplant recipes!

Sicily in the cinematographic works of Giuseppe Tornatore.

Sicily, with its wonderful landscapes and its vast cultural richness, has been the inspiration of many directors and screenwriters. Giuseppe Tornatore is one of them, and in his movies he has often portrayed his beloved land, full of wonders and contradictions.

Giuseppe Tornatore is a director and screenwriter very well known and appreciated abroad. Born in Bagheria, in the province of Palermo, in 1956, he has collected numerous awards and has obtained prestigious recognition from both Italian and international audiences and critics.

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso, one of his most famous movies, also won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

So here is a selection of Tornatore’s cinematographic masterpieces depicting Sicily’s splendors and contradictions.