Sicily

         
Sicily is the biggest island in the Mediterranean, separated from the Italian peninsula by the strait of Messina. It has important mountain groups: Pelortani, Nebrodi, Madonie, Iblei. The plains are scanty, with the exception of the area around Catania. Groups of marvelous smaller islands are scattered round the coast (the Eolie or Lipari, Ustica, the Egadi, the isle of Pantelleria and the Pelagie). The Mount Etna, rising in the center of a volcanic area of Sicily, is the highest active volcano in Europe (3,323 meters). The isles of Stromboli and Vulcano are also active volcanoes, both in the Aeolian Islands. There are 645 miles of Sicilian coastline providing many magnificent beaches, particularly at Taormina and the Golfo di Castellammare by Capo San Vito-part of huge nature reserve. 

Sicily is Europe, Africa and Asia on one island. Greek tyrants, Arab emirs, Norman knights, Byzantine bishops and Holy Roman Emperors made Sicily the place it is.

Major Cities include: Palermo, Messina, Catania, Agrigento, Syracuse, Trapani, Ragusa, Enna, and Caltanissetta are the capitals of the respective provinces.

TAORMINA  – splendidly situated is Sicily’s best-known resort with strikingly beautiful, sandy beaches and a wide range of restaurants and hotels. Taormina’s main beach, Mazzaro, boasts clear waters and is easily reached from the town.

Main attractions are the remains of the Greek city that was located at about the same spot as the present day town.

PALERMO – is the capital of Sicily and its larges city. Nestling on the protective flank of Monte Pellegrino with Monte Alfano to the east, Palermo lies in a natural amphitheatre called the Conca d’Oro (Golden Shell).

The city is a mix of oriental and European influences which is one of the city’s strangest and unexpected surprises, making it an exiting place to explore.

MESSINA - despite numerous disasters, as were a devastating earthquake in 1908 and different ravaging wars, managed to regain its former splendor, today combined with a modern urban planning.

Messina’s Cathedral largely destroyed in the 1908 earthquake has been rebuilt along the original 11th Century lines and displays typical Norman architecture with rich ornamentation. The Cathedral’s Bell Tower houses an unusual astronomical clock that moves through a 15-minute cycle of evangelical scenes at mid-day. Only two blocks away, the Annunziata dei Catalani Church is an original Crusader’s church of 12th Century Norman construction. 

The Museo Regionale is a lovely little museum housing many treasures from buildings no longer standing.

Messina also has beautiful beaches and coastline.

CATANIA - the second-largest city in Sicily, Catania sits in the shadow of Europe’s highest volcano, Mount Etna, on the east of Sicily between Syracuse and Taormina. While is not a beautiful city, it contains some of the most imaginative lava-built Baroque buildings in Sicily. In summer Catania sizzles; it is regarded as the hottest city in Italy with temperatures often soaring to 104ºF (40ºC). Despite its unattractive aspects, Catania is an ancient city and boasts some interesting historical relics. There are two Roman amphitheatres, one reminiscent of Rome’s Colosseum, and a 13th-century fortress, Ursino Castle, which is now a museum. The city’s cathedral contains some royal tombs and was built in the 11th century.

AGRIGENTO – is a small town on the south coast of Sicily. On the sea shore of the Channel of Sicily, it offers a wide variety of panoramas and scenarios. Its supremacy and pride are demonstrated by the remains of the magnificent Doric temples that dominate the ancient town, much of which still lies intact under today's fields and orchards.

SIRACUSA – is in the southeastern corner of Sicily, located between the Great Port and the Iblei mountains. More than any other modern city in Sicily, Syracuse manifests a visible continuity from its ancient Greek past, both historical and mythological. Its older quarter is an island, called Ortegia.

The pedestrianised city centre comes alive at night, with locals gathering in the Piazza del Duomo. Siracusa is one of the cultural capitals of Italy, and there is plenty to do and see. Don’t miss the summer season of classical theatre at Syracuse’s famous outdoor Greek Theatre. You can also take part in one of the city’s many summer festivals, including the Jazz Festival in July, and the Medieval Festival in August, when the city explodes with the colour of traditional costumes and fresh Sicilian produce.

TRAPANI – its name derives from an ancient word for "hook," for the shape of its harbor. Trapani is an unusual Sicilian city for its westward position, which affords spectacular views of some of the Mediterranean's most beautiful sunsets.

It is known for extensive salt deposits which are ground into usable form by windmills. The town sits in the northwest corner of Sicily on a peninsula.

RAGUSA - is capital of the province of the same name. It is located about an hour's drive from Syracuse, the nearest large city.

Ragusa is really two towns combined into one municipality in 1926. Lower Ragusa, known as Ragusa Ibla, or simply "Ibla," was the ancient city, Upper Ragusa, or Ragusa Superiore, is the main part of the new city built on the ridge across the old city of lbla after the earthquake.

The lack of tourists here makes the beaches of the province of Ragusa some of the cleanest and affordable and least crowded to be found in Sicily. Ragusa and its Baroque churches are worth seeing. Visit the Basicilica di San Giorgio, a church that dominates the town and the Church of San Giuseppe. 

The Ibla Gardens, the town's public gardens, are another attraction worth spending time with.

ENNA - is the only land-locked province of Sicily and it is entirely mountainous. Enna's main attraction is the Lombard Castle, built by Frederick II in the early part of the 13th century. Enna's other noted medieval fortification is Frederick's Tower, which stands twenty four meters high on top of a hill in a public park on the other side of town. It is a fine example of medieval defense-tower construction and has three floors, the top one having collapsed. The tower is built on an octagonal foundation instead of the more common round or square floor plan. Also in the city of Enna is the Alessi Museum, which has a wonderful coin collection and a collection of Renaissance jewelry. The Piazza Armerina, about 20 miles from the city of Enna, has beautiful mosaics to enjoy.

CALTANISSETTA - mostly agricultural, the province of Caltanisetta does not have the range of architecture present in some of the more populous provinces. There are some beautiful medieval churches within the capital city. There are also several interesting Baroque palaces (particularly Palazzo Moncada and the Bishop's Palace), and the streets of the old quarter are not without a certain charm. The ruins of Pietrarossa Castle, a Saracen castle expanded by the Normans, are on the edge of the city of Caltanissetta as well.

GETTING AROUND The A19-E932 links Palermo and Catania, the A20-E45 Catania and Messina.  The A20-E90 (Palermo to Messina) is under construction.  The west is accessible from PALERMO ON THE a29-e90.  Ferry routes run from Messina to Reggio Calabria, and from Palermo to Genoa or Naples. Between the larger town, train services are efficient, but for smaller towns the buses are better.  Catania and Palermo have international airports.