The festivity also makes a proper occasion for tourists to roam the streets and admire the Baroque attractions although the locality. Nevertheless, Acireale is filled with Baroque lovers all year long. The Palazzo Pennisi and Palazzo Modo from the 17th century are only two examples of local attractions.

After streaming the streets in search for Baroque tokens, Franciscan adepts can enjoy the relics of Gabriele Allegra inside the Church of San Biagio. He was a Franciscan friar largely known for his linguistic performance of translating the Catholic bible into Chinese. The translation took forty years of his life and it involved the collaboration with a group of Chinese Franciscan priests. The political environment of China got the project off the rails at a certain point, but the project subsequently got on the right track.

The natural frame of Acireale is worth experiencing. The Ionian Sea makes a wonderful view from Villa Belvedere, a public park that overlooks Piazza Duomo. The town also reserves a commercial center for the more urban kind of visitors and what is great about it is that it offers direct connection to Corso Umberto and Corso Italia, the main arteries of the locality.

History of Acireale is beautifully emphasized by all the Baroque foundations and old edifices, while the contemporary life gets its own bolster. The floats, costumes, parades and artistic performances throughout the carnival season make up a highly attractive world of fantasy and imagination. The touristic flux is fairly intense during carnival time. After all, it makes a nice way of welcoming the New Year with enthusiasm and entertainment.

There is no reason why anyone would ever decline such an enticing event, full of color and excitement.

The origin of the name is not quite certain. Scholars think that it may be related to Kentoripa, the name of a 4th century BC Greek colony. During the Roman domination, the town met huge economic and cultural success. Subsequently, it didn’t meet the same abundance during Aragonese and Angevin occupations which rather marked a period of destruction and deportation of the inhabitants. In 1548 the town reappeared on Sicily’s map due to the renewal initiatives of Count Aderno Francesco Moncada.

Centuripe of present times appears as a wonderful mountain center mainly sustained by agriculture. Economical life revolves around wheat, citrus, fruit and olives production that form quite a picturesque sight. For this reason, locals organize the local Agricultural Fair in September, an event that gathers a considerable amount of viewers. After roaming the various agrarian cultures, visitors can check out the outstanding monuments of which the most impressive are the Chiesa Madre (Mother Church) which is a dedication to Immaculate Conception dating from the 17th century and the Castle of the Corandin, a Roman construction of the Imperial era.

The territory bears generous archaeological extension marked by several areas such as the Difesa area which is the host of a Roman construction, the Panneria area which gathers a considerable amount of Hellenistic remnants and the Bagni area which offers a rather decrepit image of a thermal bath station dating from the Imperial age.

The local museum is the right choice if you wish to closely study Hellenistic terra-cottas, beautifully manufactured vases and relics of excavated tombs. Also, local mineral springs are highly attractive due to their curative properties.

If your next holiday destination is southern Sicily, make sure you include Centuripe on your list or you will be missing out on outstanding manufacture, impressive archaeological remnants and a few quiet and rich days.

The foremost jewel of the area is named Scicli, an example of Baroque domination, as all other towns that suffered in 1693. Despite the common features, there is something special about this place, a certain feeling that brought the surname “The Baroque Jewel”.
The origins of Scicli go way back to the Copper age and the early years of the Bronze Age. Founded by Sicels, the settlement got under Arab domination in the Middle Ages, a time of agricultural expansion which turned the town into a major trade center. Afterwards it was conquered by Roger I and in the mid 19th century Scicli became part of the Kingdom of Italy.

The local culture offers an interesting display of parades with religious themes. The “Presepe” (scenes of nativity) is deployed in the Chiarafura Caves which were dug out in the tufa cliffs. The “Uomo Vivo” parade marks Easter time and what it basically represents is a prolonged procession throughout the city. The “A Maronna i Milici” is a complex festival designed for commemoration of the appearance of the Madonna holding a sword while standing on a white horse.

The area also makes the beautiful set for films like “Il regista dei matrimoni” produced by Marco Bellocchio. As southern Sicily already got us used to, this region presents a large church collection. The Baroque style St. Bartholomew, the Church of Santa Maria la Nova with its Neoclassical façade and the former local Mother Church, Church of San Matteo, are only few examples of architectural mastery. The Palazzo Fava is a large Baroque palace with late-Baroque decorations in the balconies and portal areas. The Town Hall participates in bolstering the Baroque image of Scicli.

As far as economy is concerned, Scicli is predominantly an agricultural town due to its fertile soil. Even the industry is mainly based on processing the agricultural outcome.

Scicli makes a lovely picturesque sight for each and everyone interested in discovering ancient times and modern splendor brought all together in the same place.

Nowadays, an overlook over the town may create the impression of a mediaeval architectural cluster, but once you go further into the town’s heart, the Baroque design becomes more obvious. Subsequent to 1693, Ragusa joined all the other damaged towns into the reconstruction process mainly based on the prevalent style those times, the Baroque logic.

At a closer look into history’s annals, a radical demographic separation can be observed. In 1693, opinions on the location of the reconstruction were basically divided. Therefore, the town ended up split in two. Ragusa Superiore has always been dominated by aristocratic citizens, while Ragusa Ibla was built on the original site and is inhabited by the other half of the population. Until 1926, Ragusa remained divided. Subsequently, it became chief town of the province.

Both the upper and the lower side enjoy their share of architectural delights, although tourists seem to be more attracted to the older town. Ragusa Ibla hosts a large range of Baroque tokens. Rosario Gagliardi was the architect who designed the Cathedral of San Giorgio, by this means attempting to substitute the ancient temple destroyed in 1693. Of the former edifice, only a Catalan-Gothic portal still remains. A Neoclassical dome from 1820 crowns the cathedral and sends clear invitation to discovery.

A hybrid Baroque-Gothic building is highly interesting. Due to the earthquake, half of the edifice had to be restored, but the other half survived as the ancient jewel of Church of Santa Maria delle Scale (Saint Mary of the Steps). The Church of San’Antonio brings a Norman blow exemplified by a Gothic portal. The Hyblean Garden is the key point if you wish to enjoy the scenery of Church of the Cappuccini Vecchi, Church of Saint James (14th century) and Church San Domenico. Also, the beautiful Zacco Palace imposes itself through its Corinthian columns.

On the other side, the upper town is marked by the conqueror Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista, built between 1718 and 1778. The façade confirms the southern Sicilian Baroque style and it shelters the resting place of portals, carvings and sculptures that represent the Madonna, St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist. The dome of the cathedral dates from 1783 and in the 20th century it received copper-sheets covers. On this side of Ragusa a Hyblean Archaeological Museum is the devoted bearer of Prehistoric to Late Roman discoveries.

A long journey can run its course through the diverse architectural styles that make Ragusa such a fascinating place. Also, noteworthy are the subtle differences between upper and lower inhabitants. The present tacit separation reveals its effects in a subtle manner which may become the topic of an interesting sociological research in this southern Sicilian town.

It is the case of Sicily’s Baroque City, Noto. The old settlement along with Catania and Syracuse were severely damaged during the 1693 earthquake. Restored from scratch, Noto was rebuilt according to the dominant style of those ages, the Baroque style. Noto Antica, the name that the town bore prior to the cataclysm, is the main character of a hectic history. Of Sicel origin, ancient Netum was won over by the Romans in 263 BCE. The Arabs conquered it in 866 and subsequently the Normans gained full prerogatives over the city, and during this period was turned into a strong economic player.

Noto is often alluded to several important characters, especially when referring to the 16th and 17th centuries. Amongst them, Giovanni Aurispa and architect Matteo Carnelivari built a certain notoriety to the city that later gained the attribute “ingenious city”. The earthquake destroyed the entire settlement but the future reserved a much more exciting evolution for Noto.

The architectural brightness can be outlooked while streaming on the main street, Corso Vittorio Emanuele. The Cathedral of Noto is a masterpiece but due to another earthquake the dome collapsed and hasn’t yet been restored. The Bishop’s Palace and the Town Hall are not far away from the Cathedral. The latter is hosted by Palazzo Ducezio, a token of the 1746 Neo-Classical style designed by Vincenzo Sinatra. The Piazza XVI Maggio is a wonderful choice for those who wish to study the beautiful façade of the Church of San Domenico from 1727 or the Villetta di Ercole with its statue of Hercules. The piece of art is thought to be a remnant of Noto Antico but it is not a unanimous opinion. The 1842 Vittorio Emmanuele Theater also makes an interesting sight.

Innumerable churches adorn the streets of Noto, revealing the masterpieces built subsequent to 1693. Of the ancient Noto, few traces can be observed. Starveling discoveries have been made and they concern three chambers cut into rock, four cemeteries of the Sicel period and one of Greek origins dating from the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC.

What is wonderful about Noto is that it offers both splendid architecture and an exciting view on the local lifestyle. The locals are the proud creators of the Nero d’Avola wine which is thought to be the prince of Sicilian wines. The cuisine joins the complex wine culture in a realm of irresistible tastes.

Tourists are guaranteed an interesting journey through both historic and contemporary life, a wonderful gathering of features dating from times long gone and the pulse of the present life in this small, creative, eclectic city.

The town is the lucky beneficiary of large expansion deployed over the years. The extension reached areas like Modica Sorda, Monserrato, Idria which mark what is now called “The New Modica”. Nowadays, the town consists of upper Modica (Modica Alta) and lower Modica (Modica Bassa) that are connected through typical narrow streets. Modica was also damaged by the 1693 eartquake which is the main reason why the Baroque design prevails over the architectural domain. There still remain some vague traces of the Old Modica such as the Gothic portal of the Chiesa del Carmine, some ruins of the Chiesa di Santa Maria del Gesu (16th century) and the cave-church of San Nicolo Inferiore (Saint Nicholas) from the 12th century, an edifice that offers a slight Byzantine look to the building.

Religious life is pampered by architects that designed fascinating cathedrals and churches. The Cathedral of San Giorgio is a majestic religious monument of origins that haven’t been fully discovered. Serial earthquakes brought severe damage and it was architect Rosario Gagliardi who led the reconstruction although some think that the restoration was a result of the participation of several architects.

The Chiesa del Carmine dates from the 16th century, the moment of the emergence of the religious order. After the earthquake, few original elements survived: the doorway and a majestic rose-window which are joined by the precious relief stuccoes that adorn the main altar.

The Church of Saint Mary of Bethlehem brings a certain spotlight to Modica Bassa as it shelters tombs of noble Cabreras. Also, a Christmas Crib made of terra cotta by father Benedetto Papale in 1882 makes quite an impression.

The elegant convent of the Mercedari friars enlarges its brightness by hosting the Town Museum with important archaeological findings and the Iblean Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions which gathers agricultural tools and antiquities.

Modica Alta presents architectural assets of equal importance. The Palace Tomasi-Rossi and the Cathedral of San Giovanni are only two highlights of this side of town. Still, Modica is not all about architectural history. It is also the proud witness of a 400 year old tradition of chocolate making. As part of the Spanish Kingdom, Modica was amongst the first beneficiaries of South-American foodstuffs. Since then, cacao has been wisely explored and today chocolate masters offer delicious unique sweet creations.

Add the beautiful beach at Marina di Modica and the picture of a perfect August vacation is done!

On a plateau located near the southern coast there lays a town named Agrigento, a charming Romanesque Gothic and Greek center. The present name of the town was only patented in 1927. Until then, the title had varied from 582 BC Akragas to the Roman name Agrigentum followed by Girgenti, a name christened by the Saracens. The town enjoyed its heyday during 570 and 554 BC under the Phalaris occupation but further development was initiated by Theron between 488 and 471 BC.

The Punic Wars brought several destructions to the city but particular extreme damage was caused by the Romans in 261 BC. What is notable is that subsequent to all these decimations the city was consecutively rebuilt. Due to its flourishing, the great poet Pindar characterized the city by turning to superlatives: “The most beautiful city of the mortals”.

What is terrific about it is that in present time the city succeeds in perpetuating the overwhelming of its beauty and complexity. Despite its rich legacy and the sulphur and potash mines that have gotten attention since ancient times, the local economy remains unbalanced situating the city amongst the poorest of Sicily.

Locals may not enjoy a wealthy life, but they do enjoy historic marvels. Tourists should not go round the notorious Valle dei Templi (Valley of the Temples) which is a gathering of seven imposing Greek temples built during the 6th and the 5th centuries BCE in the Doric specific style. The excellent preservation and importance of the monuments got the area on the World Heritage Sites list as one of the largest ancient Greek cities outside of Greece.

Greek features join the Norman-style churches that adorn the surroundings of the city. Roman characteristics are also part of the inheritance although in a smaller amount. A few kilometers away the ruins of a Roman edifice complete the archaeological realm.

Philosophy and literature meet in Agrigento as this is the city that sheltered the great Greek philosopher Empedocles and Nobel Prize winner for literature Luigi Pirandelo. Olive groves and almond orchards coagulate in a natural environment that in February offers a great venue for the Almond Blossom Festival.

This is one city that can satisfy all kinds of desires: explorations for historians, almond scents for nature’s lovers, unique dishes for food tasters and the clear blue sea for swimmers. This is one kind of diversity that should not be missed.

The dynamics of Sicily builds on the activities undertaken by locals, the arts and the cuisine, the magnificent archaeological park and the prolific tourism. For Sicily, tourism comes naturally. The bays, the views and lifestyle are very appealing, which is why many people choose Sicily for holiday’s destination. One main attraction is named Giardini Naxos, a notable protruding of the touristic Sicilian life.

Giardini Naxos defines a commune in the province of Messina, which lies on a bay determined by Cape Taormina and Cape Schiso. The Ionian Sea grazes one of the town’s edges, which represents a major asset for the touristic potential. If once upon a time the town was dominated by quietness and ordinary days, in present it enjoys a touristic explosion generated by the unique attractions.

The testimony of Thucydides confirms that Giardini was formed in 735 BC under the Athenian leader Thucles who bears the title of the first Greek to step on Sicilian land. It was never a powerful area but it did enjoy a certain religious spotlight due to the temple of Apollo Archegetes. During the ages of Barbary pirates, several buildings were constructed to ensure protection of Cape Schiso. The Schiso Castle is one of several examples. It was built in the 16th century as a fortress. Unlike the earlier 13th century edifice that the castle was built on, the 16th century architectural plan concerned a military tower which served as a location for spotting the Barbarian threat. The Vignazza Tower joins the series of constructions used for protection. It was built in the 16th century as a quadrangular structure with three stories. Both towers were used for defense against pirates’ attacks and they are not sole examples of this kind. The Sicilian coast hosts a large number of watchtowers that presently make part of archaeological parks.

The essence of Giardini Naxos still resides in the picturesque fishing activities that have been deployed since ever. Still, emancipation has turned the town into a cosmopolitan touristic resort. The handcraft shops, antiquities venues, trattorie, sunny beaches and the archaeological remnants have created a fearless competitor for near-by Taormina. A distinctive note for this particular town is that tourism never ceases. The resort continues its activities even during winter, which enables a strong injection of tourists from all over the world.

Giardini is a both attractive and powerful pawn amongst Sicily’s greatest sights. What is even more amazing about it is that it continuously refreshes its offerings, which further enlarges its power of attraction.

Caltagirone is one example of cities where handcrafting receives major attention. It is one of the three centers of ceramic pottery throughout the island, the other two being Santo Stefano di Camastra and Monreale. This craft had its origins way back. Ever since, it has made the perfect means of expression on Mediterranean style and culture. The beginnings of pottery are located in the Sicanian period when people used to make terra cotta objects. The art was subsequently undertaken by the Phoenicians and the Greeks.

The charm of Caltagirone is imminent. Beautiful ceramic objects are joined by the omnipresent Baroque elements that can be observed all over the city. The city represents one of the areas that were fully destroyed by the 1693 earthquake. As a consequence of the cataclysm, the cities were rebuilt following the main architectural flow of the island, the Baroque style.

The city is located on a rocky hilly area, 600 meters above sea level. The name announces the presence of numerous necropoleis throughout the area. The Arab translation is “Qalat-Jerun” which means “Castle of the burial grounds”. The necropoleis offer a pretty accurate trace on the origins which apparently go back to pre-historical times.

Elements of the Magna Graecia, including pottery and terra cotta, can be observed at the local Museum of Pottery that dates from 1965. A major landmark is a monumental construction, the 142-step Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte (1608) which creates quite an intrigue due to its differential ceramic designs. Each step presents a different ceramic decoration that displays features from the millennial tradition of this craft.

The city reserves a special place to religious venues. The art-nouveau façade of the Cathedral of St. Julian, the Gothic style sacristy of the Baroque Church of San Francesco di Paola, the white stone and picture gallery of the Renaissance Church of the New Capuchins denote important features of the city’s clerical world.

As far as the economic rhythm goes, tourism is joined by intensive agriculture that basically focuses on production of olives, peaches and grapes. A major contribution to the city’s attraction is brought by the location on a hill that overlooks the valley, a view that urban tourists largely enjoy and the reasons are quite strong. Caltagirone combines magnificent natural elements with precious arts in a very appealing way which makes resistance futile.

The city’s popularity dates from the 19th century due to the wonderful beaches on the Ionian Sea. Its history is rather a rollercoaster of flourishing periods and deep decadence, but starting with the 19th century the town regained its fame by hosting figures such as Friederich Nietzsche, Johann von Goethe and Oscar Wilde. The artistic intake doesn’t end here. The 20th century brought new artistic characters such as D. H. Lawrence who even created an impressive part of his work in Taormina.

Scattered fragments of ancient edifices announce the remarkable monuments that this elitist resort shines through. By far, the ancient theatre receives all the applause for its impressive preservation and majestic beauty. Archaeologists advanced a theory according to which the theatre was built on the site of a Greek theatre, a theory that justifies the prevalence of Greek features over the Roman ones. This second largest Sicilian ancient theatre offers unique performances and concerts by putting together contemporary art and a scent of antiquity.

The architectural pageantry of Taormina is thoroughly sustained by other edifices such as the Cathedral (from the 10th century), the Baroque Fountain (from 1635), Palazzo Corvaja (the 10th century) and the list goes forth. For all volcanologists out there, Mount Etna resides only 45 minutes away.

Culture tasters are guaranteed a wonderful realm of cultural expressions, especially during summer. Classical music concerts, dramatic performances, the Taormina Film Festival, the Giuseppe Sinopoli Festival make up an impressive dedication to all art lovers who choose this holiday destination.

A suite of notorious names amongst which Daphne Phelps, Bertrand Russell, Tennessee Williams, Nobel prize winner Halldor Laxness complete the collection of writers who chose this specific place for inspiration.

The magic of Isola Bella Nature Reserve cannot be missed if you are anywhere near the town. The beautiful sea birds join the luxuriant flora in this swing of Mediterranean beauties. Also, 25km from Taormina, the Alcantara River Park displays an impressive geological collection that over the years made quite a topic for various geologists.

The locals are sure to offer you a glass of almond wine which is unique and utterly delicious. If this doesn’t convince you, maybe a walk to Piazza Belvedere will, a place that enables a fantastic view over the sea and Etna.
Photographs cannot sustain the magnificence of this town. You can only go and see it for yourself. You are sure to return to Taormina in no time.