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Info
Sicily is the largest
island of the Mediterranian. The history goes far back into the ancient
world. The Greek and Romans praised Sicily as "Gift of God" and in
many cities visitors even today can find many antique and impressive
buildings with the feeling of old days. Those are the cities of Siracusa, Agrigento, Giardini Naxos
and Taormina.
The symbol of the island is the woman's head surrounded by snakes and
small wings located in three bend legs around the head. The form of the
island Sicily is close to a triangle, that gave it the antique name
Trinakria. In front of the north coast from East to West resides
the
Tyrrhenian
Sea, in front of the East coast the
Ionian
Sea and between the South coast, the Southwest coast and the African
continent resides the
Road of Sicily (italian: Canale di Sicilia).
Sicily
consits of an area of 26,500 km² with ca. 5 Millions of inhabitants. The
island is divided into 9 provinces, each of them carries the name of the
largest town. Those 9 provinces are divided in 360 communities.
The
highest mountain of Sicily is called Etna (3.323 m), the largest and
most active European volcano. Another still active volcano is called Stromboli
located on the island Stromboli north of Messina.
The
Greek cities of Sicily (Agrigent, Selinunte, Segesta, Syrakus, to name the most important)
were known to be the most beautiful cities of the Helenic world. Those
who are visiting the Valley of Temples in
Agrigento
or participate a performance in the Greek Theater of Syrakus feel themselves transferred back in the classical Greek history.
Sicily
not only offers culture but also versatile natural areas and national
parks as well as wonderful beaches with sand and gravel. It is a sunny
island with a typical Sicilian cuisine that combines flavors of the
entire Mediterranean cuisine and as well provides an intellectual touch
which is demonstrated by the literary masterpieces of Luigi Pirandello,
Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, Leonardo Sciascia, Gesualdo Bufalino and
Andrea Camilleri.
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The Place
It's
more than an island! Discover
Sicily
and discover the world. The world's first multicultural society, Sicily is Italy's
(and Europe's) most historically
cosmopolitan region, having been ruled by Asians, Africans and Europeans. Sicily is black and white and a million
shades of gray. There's no other place on Earth like Sicily.
The island is a unique place full of art, archeology, history, folklore
and
breathtaking scenery.
And, of course, great food. Sicily
is almost a nation unto itself. The countryside is a mixture of Hills,
Mountains and fruitful lowlands with many farms producing fantastic
quality of fruit and vegetables. The highest mountain is the Etna
(3300m), the largest active volcano in Europe.
In summer time this area is huge hiking area and in winter times a
famous ski area. Here you can find also a spectacular Golf park.
The
enchanting land where Archimedes taught and
Saint Paul
preached was a Greek colony, a Roman province, an Arab emirate and a
Norman kingdom. The Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Swabians, Angevins and
Aragonese made Sicily their own, leaving
behind an eclectic history that you can still touch today. And Sicily will touch you. 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. Experience their legacy in Phoenician settlements,
Punic cities, Greek temples, Roman amphitheatres, Norman Arab castles
and Aragonese churches. Thirty centuries of history expressed in the
Classical, the Romanesque, the Gothic, the Baroque...
Very popular is a
trip to the Eolian islands Lipari, Salina,
Alicudi, Filicudi, Panarea, Volcano and Stromboli.
Those islands can be reached during the main season by boat from many cities
across the northern coast and in all cases by ferries starting from
Milazzo.
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