AVION TOURISM MAGAZINE #10 Destinations

DISCOVERING WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN SICILY AND SARDINIA

Text by Alisè Vitri

Sicily and Sardinia are two Italian regions rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, some of which have been recognized as World Heritage by UNESCO.

In Sicily, there are seven World Heritage sites: the archaeological area of Agrigento, the Roman villa of Casale in Piazza Armerina, the Aeolian Islands (Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi, and Panarea), the late Baroque towns of Val di Noto, Syracuse and the Rock Necropolis of Pantalica, Arab-Norman Palermo, and the cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale. In addition, there is Mount Etna, an active volcano that has been included in the World Heritage list for its geological and biological importance. The Agricultural practice of the alberello vine of Pantelleria and the Sicilian puppet theater, Opera dei Pupi, are both listed in the Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

In Sardinia, the archaeological site of Su Nuraxi in Barumini is listed as a World Heritage site. This site represents the history and natural beauty of Sardinia, as well as its cultural uniqueness. Singing tradition of Tenores and Festivals of the Great Shoulder-Borne Processional Structures, "faradda di li candareri" in Sassari are both listed in the Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Visiting these World Heritage sites is a unique and engaging experience for those who want to discover the history, culture, and beauty of these two splendid Italian islands.

The World Heritage sites of Sicily

Text by Anna Glik

Sicily, for its natural and artistic beauty, has been awarded by UNESCO with seven 'World Heritage' sites: the Aeolian Islands, the archaeological site of Agrigento, the Roman Villa of Casale in Piazza Armerina, the late Baroque towns of the Val di Noto, Syracuse and the Rock Necropolis of Pantalica, Mount Etna, the Arab-Norman Palermo, and the Cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale.

The Aeolian Islands

The Aeolian Islands are a handful of seven volcanic islands, scattered in the Mediterranean Sea northeast of Sicily, each with its own individuality:

Vulcano, with characteristic sulfur fumaroles and mud baths with extraordinary therapeutic properties for the treatment of rheumatic and respiratory diseases;
Lipari, with its whitest pumice beaches and an interesting Aeolian Museum;
Salina, completely green with vegetation;
Panarea, the smallest, but also the most elegant and fashionable;
the romantic Stromboli, with its white houses standing out against the black lava rocks and illuminated at night by what the islanders call 'the fire stream' of the still-active Vulcano, an island that became famous for the film that Rossellini shot in 1950 with Ingrid Bergman and which saw their passionate love story born: 'Stromboli, land of God'.

The other two are the islands a little distant from the main group, Alicudi and Filicudi, still largely wild even though they are inhabited.

Mount Etna

And in this volcanic land, in the province of Catania, stands Mount Etna - a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013 - which dominates Sicily and the Mediterranean, the highest (3300 meters) and most impressive volcano in Europe, constantly monitored and studied by scientists worldwide for its millennia-old activity. On its slopes, vineyards are cultivated that produce a prized wine and the famous Bronte pistachio, while on its summit, before reaching the volcanic desert, there are beech and oak forests that can be reached by exciting excursions both by jeep and trekking.

Siracusa and the Necropolis of Pantalica

Among the millennia-old sites, a place of honor is reserved for Syracuse, on the Ionian coast - founded by the Greeks in the 8th century BC - which Cicero defined as "the most beautiful city of Magna Graecia", competing with Athens. The center is formed by the island of Ortigia, connected to the mainland by two bridges, an architectural gem dominated by Sicilian Baroque style, in which the city was rebuilt after the violent earthquake of 1693. The Greek presence is present in various monuments such as the Greek Theatre, the Temple of Apollo, the Ear of Dionysius, and, on an ancient temple dedicated to Athena, now stands the Cathedral, also a beautiful example of Sicilian Baroque. The city inspired myths and poetry from antiquity, also because it was dedicated to the nymph Arethusa, which gives its name to the famous fountain in the center; here to visit is the Archimedes Technopark, which presents the inventions of the famous mathematician who was born here.

Located 40 kilometers from Syracuse, the rocky necropolis of Pantalica boasts over 5000 tombs carved into the rock dating back to the period between the 13th and 7th century BC. Of particular interest is the Anaktoron, or Palace of the Prince, for its Mycenaean influences that demonstrate the connections between this area and Greece.

The Archaeological Area of Agrigento

Another archaeological site, the most important and perhaps well-known in Sicily, is the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, along the southern coast of the island: a very well-preserved site in an Archaeological Park covering an area of 1300 hectares, with extraordinary Doric temples that demonstrate the greatness of the city founded by the Greeks in the 6th century BC and quickly became an important commercial and cultural center.

The valley is a magnificent example of Greek architecture, with numerous temples - there are 11 - dedicated to Hellenic deities, such as the Temple of Juno, Athena, Zeus, and Hercules and is among the most important sites in the world of Doric architecture, as well as being one of the largest.

The Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina

The Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina is the symbol of a more recent era: the ultimate example of a late Roman luxury villa in late imperial period, famous for the richness of its mosaics from the 4th century AD that testify to the cultural exchanges in the ancient Mediterranean between the Roman world and North Africa. This splendid villa spans 3,500 square meters and is divided into 48 rooms with mosaics still intact in their splendor, representing hunting scenes, as well as depictions of gods and heroes. Between the 14th and 15th centuries, the villa became an agricultural center, which is why it still carries the name of Casale.

The Late Baroque cities of the Val di Noto

The Late Baroque cities of the Val di Noto are another wonder of Sicily, including eight cities, in addition to this one and Catania, named Caltagirone, known for producing artistic ceramics, Militello in Val di Catania, Modica, also famous for its chocolate, Palazzolo, Ragusa, and Scicli. All of these cities were reconstructed in the typical Sicilian Late Baroque style following their destruction due to the terrible earthquake of 1693. Luxurious palaces, churches with rich interiors and inlaid facades, made of the local honey-colored stone, represent one of the greatest expressions of this charming style in the world.

The Arab-Norman Palermo with the Cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale

The Arab-Norman Palermo with the Cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale is another wonder of Sicily. An Arab-Norman Sicily, with the beautiful city of Palermo and the cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale. The Normans, who arrived on the island in the 12th century, had the merit of bringing together cultures of various origins, such as Western, Byzantine, and Islamic, which gave birth to true masterpieces of original architectural style. This is evidenced by the palaces, churches, and the Admiral's Bridge in the city, as well as nearby Cefalù and Monreale.

In the city, the Royal Palace or Palace of the Normans, built by Roger II, king of Sicily, is still intact in all its splendor, with the extraordinary frescoes of the Roger Room depicting hunting scenes, and the suggestive Palatine Chapel resplendent with Byzantine mosaics depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments. The Orthodox Church of the Martorana is also notable for its Byzantine-Norman style.

Cefalù, a beautiful seaside town that reflects the passage of various civilizations over the centuries, still boasts Byzantine mosaics with gold background decorations inside its Cathedral, a suggestive blend of Arab-Norman and Byzantine art, also present in the Cathedral of Monreale, just 5 km from Palermo. This was erected between 1172 and 1176 by the Norman king of Sicily, William II, and was a favorite place of the Norman kings who enjoyed spending their leisure time here.

The interior of the Cathedral is covered with over 7500 square meters of splendid mosaics, especially in the apse dominated by a monumental Christ Pantocrator, a symbol of Orthodox religion. The attached Benedictine cloister is an architectural gem, where columns and ogival arches recall the motifs of Arab art.

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