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Tag: History Page 1 of 7

Aidone – Medieval mountain town with Norman based dialect

I try to visit these Sicilian mountain towns as much as possible. For their history, best foods, views and also the sad fast depopulation.

Aidone is a small town with 4000 inhabitants, founded by Normans where the dialect is Norman based. The peak is the Norman castle at 889 m.a.s.l. with breathtaking views to Etna, lake Ogliasto and the Sicilian nature.

Morgantina – Siculi Greek Cittadella and Swedish archaeologists

A Siculi-Greek cittadella discovered by a Swedish archaeologist Erik Sjöqvist 1955. He chose the location, made the project successful and was supported by the Swedish king Gustav VI Adolf.

Greeks dominated this area and the cittadella reached up to 10,000 inhabitants. It is the most important archaeological sites in Sicily and gave understanding of ancient city planning.

Tonnara di Scopello – Ocean’s 12, tuna and stunning views

Tonnara di Scopello is the oldest tuna fisherman area in Sicily with a history back to 1200. It is also the location to one of the last movie scenes of Ocean’s 12 where agent Lahiri meets the crook LeMarque only to understand he is her father. Has a limited entry which is good to protect this special place.

Memorial site for Giovanni Falcone, his wife and bodyguards

This is the memorial site for judge Giovanni Falcone in the Maxi Process against the Sicilian mafia, his wife Francesca Morvillo and his bodyguards; Vito Schifani, Rocco Dicillo and Antonio Montinaro.

Killed by the Corleone mafia 23rd of May 1992 when 500 kg of TNT exploded from under the highway right on this spot. Thanks to cigarett butts and change of Italian crime law allowing DNA tracing, the murderers could be found.

More information Google “Strage di Capaci”

Memorial site on Google Maps “Monumento alla Strage di Capaci”

Polizzi Generosa – D&G hometown, Scorsese and Madonie in the Norman footsteps

Polizzi Generosa was named by Norman king Federico II due to the territory’s richness. He also created a free and independent town thanks to his laws supporting equality and justice.

These areas are depopulating fast, now only 2900 inhabitants remained. Hometown of designer Domenico Dolce D&G, Martin Scorsese’s grandparents and a door to the Madonie mountains.

Piazza Armerina – World’s richest mosaics & Old town in the Norman footsteps

I have made a new video about Piazza Armerina, but YouTube share link does not work to share it here this time. So just klick here, or copy and paste this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_xAI8-EANM

Here visiting Piazza Armerina with 20,000 inhabitants and famous for the Roman mosaic villa, Villa Romana del Casale. Largest, richest and most varied mosaic collection in the world covering 3500 m2. Also visiting the old town sadly many skip to visit. Very up and down hills, but with very interesting history specially for us Normans as Piazza Armerina was developed by Normans.

Scicli, a Montalbano pearl in Iblea mountains

Scicli is in the Ragusa province with 26,000 inhabitants. A walkable baroque pearl with famous Montalbanos police station to visit. In the series this town is called Vigata. It is also a Natural wine nest. In this video I also climb up to two small mountains which offers stunning views over the city.

Svenska

Scicli ligger i Ragusa-provinsen med 26 000 invånare. En promenadvänlig barockpärla med den berömda Montalbanos polisstation att besöka. I serien heter denna stad Vigata. Det är också ett naturligt vinnäste. I den här videon klättrar jag också upp till två små berg som erbjuder fantastisk utsikt över staden.

Caltagirone – The colourful Arabian “pot castle”

Caltagirone is famous for its ceramic and if you are going to buy original Sicilian ceramic, it has to be signed Caltagirone. Filled with Sicilian baroque, but has arabian origins with town name qal at-ghiran, meaning “The pot castle”.

Highlight is of course Scalinata di Santa Maria del Monte. Filled with ceramic stories from all eras passing this area. 142 steps takes you to a wonderful view. Main reason I stopped here was to visit my favourite Ragu restaurant, but it was closed for vacation. So I get a new chance to pass by again!

Monreale – Golden stories on the walls, in the Norman footsteps

The highlight in Monreale is the main church, Cappella del Duomo di Monreale. Built as a political statement and artistic show off, and is the most important Norman architectual monument in Sicily as it represent the whole Norman kingdom. 6340 m2 of mosaics to follow stories from the old and new testament. Built by William II.

Selinunte – Archaeology, Beaches & Fish

Selinunte archaeological park is largest in Europe. 270 hectares, 10 km walking track, seven temples, baths, necropolis ecc. An area to walk through the birth of the Greek empire to its fall.

Marinella di Selinunte is the small village just by with 1000 inhabitants. One of the few real rural Sicilian areas left with slow living, fish and amazing beaches.

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