It’s the largest island wit a history of many influences (Aragons, Bourbons,Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Angioins), just because of its position in the middle of the Mediterranean sea. It’s characterized by volcano activity with Etna which is over 3000 mt. high and it’s surrounded by wonderful islands : Eolie, Egadi, Pantelleria, Lampedusa, Ustica. Greek temples are numerous. Grapes growing is also significant, with olives, citrus fruits and almonds from which it comes the delicious marzipan. It’s still possible to do swordfish, tuna and ostrich fishing in this sea. The colourful barrows and puppet handicraft has international fame, particularly with the folklore theatre of Sicilian puppets. It was frequently mentioned in Italian literature by Tommaso di Lampedusa (‘Il Gattopardo’) and by Verga (‘I Malavoglia’). Its famous:
Barley water, crushed-ice drink, almond milk, ‘arancini’, ‘caponata’. Tourism is mostly widespread in Agrigento, Taormina, Naxos, Caltagirone and Siracusa.
Famous people:
Archimede, Majorana, Pindaro, Empedocle.
Things to know and to remember:
Ursino Castle and Bertini Palace, ‘La Vucciria and the Temples Valley, the Five ‘Patrone’ and ‘La Santuzza’, Guttuso and ‘La Vucciria’, ‘cassata and cannoli’, Gucci-Valguarnera Palace and Sicilian Vespers. Etna and Catania Baroque, Bellini and Massimo theatre, S.Agata and the jail, the Elephant Statue and the wizard. The sulphur and Gessolungo Park, the Monks and the digestive liqueur ‘Averna’, Capodarso Bridge and the devils, ‘Le Fuate’ and Nissena chicken, Etiopia, the Almond tress blossoming, The Regional Archaeology Museum, The Falaride Tyrant, ‘Il Farsumagru’, Luigi Pirandello and The Literature Park.
