The Mediterranean island of Sicily has not had peace over the past millennia. Due to the beauty of its geographical position, Sicily has become an arena of confrontation between the strongest civilizations of the past. What helped her save herself for centuries? How did the trials enrich glorious Sicily?

Rulers changed, wars were waged with varying success ... Greco-Carthaginian influence persisted in Sicily until Rome entered the Mediterranean arena. As a result of the First Punic War against Carthage, all Sicily, with the exception of the allied Syracuse, was declared a Roman province (241 BC). During the Second Punic War (219-212 BC), despite the alliance with Hieron II, the Romans subjugate Syracuse.

Sicily was a quiet province that supplied the empire with its agricultural products. The most notable events here were the slave uprisings (135 and 101 BC) and the robberies branded by Cicero under the rule of Praetor Verre. The decline of the empire had a direct impact on the island, when in 440 AD. the leader of the Vandals, Genseric, lands in Lilibea (today's Marsala) and devastates Sicily. After a series of episodic raids in subsequent years, in 468 the period of barbarian domination begins. They ruled over all the large island territories abandoned by the empire - Sicily, Sardinia, Balearic Islands. After the reign of Odoacer, who became king of Italy, Sicily passes into the hands of the Goths. The Ostrogothic ruler Theodoric the Great held the Italian throne from 495. Surprisingly, during the reign of the barbarians in Sicily, calm and even some prosperity reigned. It stopped when the eastern emperor Justinian tried to restore the territorial integrity of the ancient Roman Empire.

During the Byzantine-Gothic war (535), the commander Belisarius sent to Sicily. The military campaign to conquer the island was carried out with extraordinary swiftness. The small Gothic garrisons were unable to repel the advance of the Byzantine expeditionary force. The siege and capture from the sea of ​​the city of Palermo remained in history as an example of medieval military art. Thus, Sicily was returned to the imperial orbit. The process of "Byzantization" gave the island oriental features, but the Latin element was not destroyed. For almost three centuries, Sicily remained in the sphere of influence of Byzantium, taking on a lot in the socio-cultural life of the empire. Arts and sciences were cultivated, church schools were created. The island has become fertile ground for the development of education. Monuments of this era are located in the cities of Randazzo, Castelbuono, Pantalica.

In 1060, the Normans, blessed by the pope, begin their conquest of Sicily. The expulsion of Muslims from the island was a type crusades. Roger Altavilla and Robert Guiscard brought this enterprise to a victorious end in 31 years. The descendants of Roger Altavilla would be kings of Sicily until 1194. The new conquerors left Palermo the status of the capital, but created new state structures: administrative, financial, feudal, religious. A distinctive feature of the reign of Grand Duke Roger II was the peaceful coexistence of various peoples: Latins, Greeks, Arabs, Jews. Roger II attracted representatives of all nationalities living in Sicily to government. He entrusted the organization of administration to the Greeks, the Muslims were engaged in finance, and the Latins were entrusted with the organization of new feudal relations.

The wise duke took into account the mistakes that served as a source of instability in continental Italy subject to the Normans. Under him, church and monastic life of the Latin type was encouraged. Culture did not lag behind politics in its development. The Palatine Chapel, the palaces of Maredolce and Cuba, the cathedrals in Palermo and Cefalu - these magnificent monuments were created at that time. The palace of Zisa and the cathedral in Montreal were built under Guglielmo I and Guglielmo P. Such high officials of the state as Admiral Georges of Antioch and Minister Maione from Bari, following the example of their sovereigns, built the church of St. Mary of the Admiral, called Martorana, at their own expense, and Church of St. Catalda.

Literature and science also flourished. Idrisius and Nilo Doxapatrios, Aristippus and Emir Eugeneio, Romuald of Salernitan and Peter of Eboli - they all brought glory to the Sicilian kingdom. Through their translations from Greek and Arabic, the West recognized Ptolemy and Plato.

With the decline of Norman rule, opportunities opened up for the Germans to fulfill their imperial ambitions. The marriage of Constanta Altavilla with the son of Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa Henry VI, his coronation in Palermo marked the coming to power of the German dynasty of the Sveves (1194). In the German era, there was unprecedented progress in the field of experimental sciences, jurisprudence, literature and folk poetry. The heir of Constanza and Henry, Frederick I, despite being busy with German affairs and the struggle against the communes of Northern Italy, was the patron of artificially himself composed a treatise in Latin, which can be considered a comprehensive description falconry. The first Italian poetic school was under his patronage. At this time, the poets of the "Great Curia" worked, in Palermo, Syracuse, Catania, Salemi, Agrigento there were monuments of that time.

When Frederick died in 1250, the pope gave the Sicilian crown to the brother of the French king Louis IX, Charles of Anjou. The direct heirs of Frederick, the illegitimate son of Manfredi and the nephew of Corradino, tried to fight for the crown, but both died.

Charles of Anjou, having taken the throne, moved the capital of the state to Naples. The dominance of the Angevins in the Sicilian kingdom, their oppression did not please the inhabitants of the island. The uprising called "Sicilian Vespers" that began in Palermo on August 31, 1282 led to the final expulsion of the French from Sicily. From that moment on, the Aragonese dynasty came to power. The Sicilians elected as their sovereign Peter III of Aragon, son-in-law of Manfredi. This turn of events led to a long period of wars with the Angevin kingdom of Naples and to clashes between the richest noble families of Sicily - Chiaromonte, Venti Miglia, Rosso, Alagona, Peralta and others.

There are many abandoned houses in the hills in Sicily. People built houses there without buying land, and when the government demanded money from them, they abandoned them because there was nothing to pay.

The gradual process of the extinction of the Sicilian line of the Aragonese dynasty ends with a "close" relationship between the island and the Spanish crown. The marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile laid the foundation for the formation of the Spanish state, of which Sicily becomes a part. The island belonged to Spain for about 300 years and was ruled by a viceroy. These were the times of the rise of the Catholic kings, the era of the great geographical discoveries. At the same time, Turkish expansion to the West began. Sicily acquired a huge strategic importance as a bulwark against Ottoman aggression. At the beginning of the XVI century. on the island, the construction of fortifications, new castles on the coast began, and the number of military garrisons increased. At the same time there were popular uprisings, notably the uprisings against the Viceroy in 1516 and 1523.

In the seventeenth century, the economic situation in Spanish Sicily deteriorated sharply. The lean years actually destroyed villages and doomed large cities to starvation. The first popular uprising took place in Messina in 1646, and a more powerful one, which happened a year later in Palermo, was brutally suppressed by the Viceroy Los Beles. The leader of this uprising, Nino La Pelosa, was hanged. The next revolt raised by the Palermitan artisans was more successful. The viceroy was expelled, and Giuseppe d'Alesi, elected by the rebels, took his place. He tried to create a people's government, abolished privileges and taxes, achieved the election of three nobles and three commoners who swore allegiance to the people. But, betrayed by all, he was killed on August 22, 1647 ...

According to the Treaty of Utrecht (1713), Sicily goes to the Duke of Savoy, Victor Amadeo II, but this reign lasted no more than five years. In 1718, the Spaniards attempted to retake the island, but their interests intersected with those of the Austrians. According to the Treaty of The Hague (1720), Charles VI of Austria becomes the new king of Sicily. The plundering of the island by excessive taxation is a characteristic feature of Austrian rule. Sicily returns to the Spaniards after the Battle of Bitonto between Bourbon and Austrian troops (1734). Charles I of Bourbon, son of the Spanish king, becomes king of Sicily, and for 125 years the Bourbons will rule the island.

The poverty in which the Sicilians were forced the king to pursue a policy of reform, and in 1759, when Viceroy Domenico Coracciolo arrived on the island, following the theories of the French enlighteners, the privileges of the feudal lords were abolished, and then the Inquisition Tribunal was liquidated (1782). But the gap with Naples continued to widen, and a movement for autonomy developed in Sicily, based on educated people committed to the ancient tradition of island independence.

The principles proclaimed by the French Revolution could not but influence further development History of Sicily. Jacobinism penetrated here through Masonic channels; in 1795, Francesco Paolo Di Blasi's conspiracy, whose goal was to overthrow the monarchy and establish a republic, was brutally suppressed on the island.

The first constitution of Sicily was adopted by Parliament on July 19, 1812 and sanctioned by the king on August 10. The independence of Sicily from Naples, the separation of the three powers and the bicameral parliament were asserted. But the Congress of Vienna (1816) assigned both crowns to King Ferdinand. Anti-Bourbon sentiments intensified despite government decisions and contributed to the emergence of a secret society of Carbonari on the island. Repeatedly suppressed popular unrest culminated in the revolution of 1848 in Palermo, led by Giuseppe La Maza. A provisional government, parliament, and army were created. But a year and a half later, in 1849. Bourbon troops entered Palermo again.

For another 11 years, insurrectionary uprisings periodically arose in Sicily, but in 1860, the Garibaldi expedition landed in Marsala, entered Palermo and then liberated the entire island. As a result of the campaign of Garibaldi, Sicily joins the Italian kingdom, and from that moment the history of the island is inextricably linked with the history of Italy. Prominent politicians - Francesco Crispi, Michele Amari, Victor Emmanuel Orlando; cultural figures - Giovanni Verga, Pirandello, Tomasi de Lampedusa, Quasimodo and Shasha, Renato. Guttuso - these are the Sicilians who glorified Italy.

In 1947, Sicily was granted autonomy on the basis of a special status that combined the advantages of state unity and regional independence.

A beautiful, many-sided island, unique in its history and culture, which is “rather a country than a region, and besides, a heterogeneous country with many realities” (Bufalino) will not leave anyone indifferent and will attract those who have ever been here, and even those who has never been.

LARISA GOROVENKO September 2000.

Not only a bridge between Europe and Africa, but also a platform between the Eastern and Western Mediterranean. Once the island was at the center of the world.

Peoples were constantly changing here - mythical and historical, one after another, one instead of the other. "They say that the most ancient among them were the Cyclopes and Listrigons," writes in the 5th century BC. Tricidid. - "Immediately after them settled here, in all likelihood, the Sikans ... And therefore the island was called Sikania, while earlier it was known as Trikankria."

Later, the Sicules arrived here, and the island became known as Sikela (Sicily), a name that has survived to this day.

“Throughout the island,” Tucidides continues, “the Phoenicians also lived, but when a large number of Greeks, they left most of the country ... ".

The Greeks landed near Taormina in the early summer of 734 BC. For Sicily, this was a turning point, marking the beginning of the island's own history. The very name that the Greeks gave to Sicily and the southern provinces of Italy - Magna Graecia - suggests that for the Greeks Sicily was not just another colonization of new territories, but rather fate. It is no coincidence that in Sicily the Greeks abandoned their traditional self-name "Hellenes" and began to call themselves "Sikeliotes". The root of this word contains the image and idea of ​​Sicily. Several generations have changed, and Sicily has not only reached the level of Great Greece, but has become even richer and more powerful.

The Greek language spread throughout almost the entire territory of the island; historians, poets, and philosophers wrote in it. Along the coast, the Greeks founded dozens of cities, some of them, like Syracuse, Catania, Taormina, Gela, Agrigento, have survived to this day. In these cities, among other monuments and buildings, the Greeks erect famous theaters and temples, which constituted the most important cultural heritage ancient Sicily.

It was not for nothing that the ancient Greeks called Sicily Trinacria - 3 capes give it the shape of a triangle: the shores of Sicily are washed by three seas - the Ionian, the Mediterranean and the Tyrrhenian. Sicily includes 3 archipelagos: the Aeolian (Liparsky), Egadi and Pelagie Islands, Sicily is separated from the Apennine Peninsula by the Strait of Messina, the width of which at its narrowest point is 3 km. And even Etna is the biggest active volcano Italy, exceeds its "neighbor" Vesuvius by almost 3 times.

When the Greeks sailed to the shores of Sicily, various nationalities already lived there, but only the Phoenicians could offer them worthy resistance or compete. Having arrived on the territory of the island from Lebanon long before the Greeks, the Phoenicians founded several cities here, among which were Motsia, on an island near Marsala, and Palermo, which later became the capital of Sicily and today has 700,000 inhabitants. In 241 BC Sicily becomes a Roman province. Unlike the Greeks, who adorned the island with wonderful works of art and turned Agrigento into one of the most beautiful cities of the ancient world, the Romans subjected Sicily to systematic robbery and, in fact, turned it into an agrarian appendage of the Roman Empire, into a kind of slave-owning latifundia. In the Roman period, a small number of new buildings are erected, architects are more engaged in the restoration of Greek theaters intended for comedy performances and tragedies, as well as old circuses, in the arenas of which gladiatorial fights are held. The only thing left of the Romans is the ruins of country villas. Some of them are distinguished by great luxury, which speaks of the high standard of living of the Roman rulers, their fine taste and love for exquisite entertainment. Passing through Silesia, Germany, France and Spain, the Vandals reached Morocco, and then, having conquered Algeria, they settled on the territory of Tunisia. From here, a strong flotilla of the Vandals headed for Sicily.

The Vandals ruled the island from 468 to 476 without leaving behind any monuments. They were followed by the Ostrogoths, who occupied Sicily until 535, until the conquest of the island by the Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantium.

In 827, a new page in the history of Sicily opens: Muslims land on the island from Tunisia. fell in 831 main city islands - Palermo, which later becomes the capital of Muslim Sicily, proclaimed in 948 an independent emirate. Almost 250 years of Muslim domination left an imprint not only on the history, but also on the culture of the island, gave it a special character and determined its further development.

In 1061, the Norman invasions begin. Departing for conquest from Normandy, where they settled about a century ago, this people of Scandinavian origin, also called "Northern people", "Vikings" or "Varangians", occupy both Sicily and England.

Operation Sicilian or Operation Husky is one of the major military operations of World War II. After a large-scale military landing operation (the largest at the time) was followed by six weeks of battles on land. As a result of this operation, Benito Mussolini was removed from power, and Sicily was freed from fascism.

The war with Sicily lasted 30 years and ended in 1091 mountains. In 1130 the Norman Roger II laid the foundation for the Sicilian monarchy. Thus, after the Greek and Muslim period, a new milestone begins in the history of Sicily. This new Sicilian-Norman kingdom was distinguished by its diversity of ethnic composition and originality of culture. The glittering cosmopolitan courtyard of Palermo is beginning to attract the finest arts and sciences of all. European countries. Thanks to the patronage of King Roger II, the most famous astronomers, geographers, mathematicians, philosophers, sculptors, architects and artists of the 12th century come to Palermo. Remarkable masters of architecture and mosaics are erecting magnificent, richly decorated churches throughout Sicily. Thanks to the flexible policy of the king, it is possible to harmoniously combine the various cultures represented on the island: Greek, Muslim, Jewish. After the death of the childless Wilhelm II, the crown passes to the son of Emperor Frederick I, Emperor of the 1st German Reich, Henry IV. The latter was married to the daughter of Roger P Costanza. Thus, power passed to the Staufen dynasty, who continued the policy of the Norman kings.

Thanks to the educational activities of King Frederick II, the Palermo court continues to be the largest multinational cultural center in Europe; the first poetic creations in Italian are also created here.

In 1268, the crown of the Sicilian kingdom passes to the French Angevin dynasty, who defeated the Staufen. In 1282, an uprising broke out against them, known in history as the Sicilian Vespers. Twenty years later, in 1302, the Aragonese dynasty was established in Sicily, and a long period of Spanish rule began, ending in 1713. In 1815, by decision of the Congress of Vienna, Sicily under the name "Kingdom of the Two Sicilies" was transferred to the Neapolitan kings of the Bourbon dynasty, who ruled the island until 1860. In the same year, the Garibaldi expedition unleashed a revolution here that overthrew the power of the Bourbons. In 1861, after a referendum, Sicily decides to become part of the Italian state. The last important historical event in Sicily was the landing of the allied troops that approached from Tunisia on the night of July 9-10, 1943. As a result of the "Sicilian Operation", carried out by the joint efforts of the Americans, British, French, New Zealanders, Australians and Poles, Sicily was freed from the Nazis.

Sicily is the most big Island mediterranean sea and at the same time an important part of Italy. Located near the very "toe of the Italian boot", it It is washed by three seas at once - the Mediterranean, Tyrrhenian and Ionian.

The island is known for its splendid nature, conducive to great vacation, so ancient monuments of history, occupying a leading position among the sights of Italy. Even the names of Sicilian cities alone can evoke wonderful images from ancient legends. One has only to listen to these names: Messina, Agrigento.

The ancient tribes that inhabited the island thousands of years ago called themselves Sikans, and their place of residence, respectively, Sikania. Later, the name underwent a slight change, and the island became known as Sikela (Sicily), retaining this name to this day.

Location and geography

The island is located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. Approximately the same distance separates it from both the Suez Canal and the Strait of Gibraltar. Sicily is separated from the Italian peninsula by the Strait of Messina, which is approximately 3 km wide at its narrowest point. And you can get to the island by ferry in about 20 minutes.

The direct distance to the coast of Africa is 140 km. A total length coastline islands (including adjacent islets) is equal to 1500 km. By and large, Sicily can be attributed to mountainous countries. Its only sufficiently large plain is in the province of Catania. The most rocky terrain is in the north, to the south it becomes sandy and hilly.

In the eastern part of the island is the highest of active volcanoes Europe - the mysterious Etna. The volcano itself and the territory adjacent to it with an area of ​​1250 square meters are under state protection as a natural reserve.

Island weather

The climate in Sicily is typically Mediterranean, i.e. soft enough. In summer it is moderately hot, and in winter, by the way, quite short, the onset of sub-zero temperatures would be anomalous phenomenon. Most of the precipitation falls from October to March.

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Among the Italian resorts in Sicily, the largest number of sunny days per year (up to 2500 hours of sunshine per year). There are even more of them than on any other Mediterranean resort Europe. The optimal temperature of sea water is exactly what allows you to extend the holiday season on the island. After all, even in winter the water temperature does not fall below +16°C, and in summer it even reaches +27°C. Those. You can swim in the Sicilian resort calmly from May to November.

Vegetation

On hills and small plains in central and southern provinces fruit crops predominate. Among them are mainly citrus fruits such as orange, lemon and tangerine. Vineyards, olive orchards, pomegranates, almonds and figs are also numerous.

Chestnuts, beeches, tamarisk grow in mountainous areas, cork oak is found. Coniferous trees, on the contrary, are quite rare. Most of the mountainous slopes are covered with shrubs of lavender, rosemary, oil pistachio, oleander and dwarf palm.

Since wild forests have been cut down for centuries, today enjoy the corners wildlife possible only in special state reserves. Such legally protected areas of wild forest are found around Mount Etna and on the coast in the provinces of Agrigento, Messina and some others.

Population, economy, administrative division

Sicily is the largest of the entire Mediterranean Sea, not only in terms of area, but also in terms of population. The total population is approaching 5 million inhabitants, and the area is 25,460 square kilometers.

Sicily is an autonomous region of Italy, with its own coat of arms, flag and parliament. Palermo is the capital of the island. The whole island is divided into nine provinces: Palermo, Caltanissetta, Catania, Messina, Agrigento, Ragusa, Enna, Syracuse,.

The island's main source of income is tourism and agriculture. Recently, the authorities have begun to pay closer attention to ecological tourism. The directions of wine and gastronomic tours are actively developing.

History of the island

History of this ancient island began in the Paleolithic era. It was then that the first buildings appeared, as evidenced by the findings during archaeological excavations in the caves of Levanzo and Pellegrino.

The most famous archaeological monument in the form of rock-cut tombs. They call it the necropolis of Pantalika and date it to the 13th century BC. In addition, the necropolis is on the list world heritage UNESCO.

Starting from the 8th century BC, colonies appeared in Sicily, founded by the Greeks and settlers from Carthage. The oldest of the Greek colonies were found in the eastern part of the island, right at the foot of the volcano. Later it was the Greeks who founded Messina and Syracuse. The remains of the Greek civilization can still be seen throughout the island in the form of ruined cities, temples and just roads.

In 241 BC. Sicily becomes one of the provinces of Rome, and continues to be so until 440 BC. The era of the early Middle Ages was marked for the island by alternate oppression of either vandals or Byzantine Empire, then the Arabs. In the 11th century AD, the Normans captured the island, and already in the 12th century, the kings of the Angevin dynasty seized power. A century later, Sicily was ruled by the Aragonese dynasty.

Closer to our time, the rule of the island passed from Austria to Napoleon, and from him to the Habsburg kings. A popular uprising in 1861, led by the island, rid the island of the Bourbons. This allowed Sicily to become part of the Italian kingdom.

In 1947 Sicily becomes an autonomous part of Italy. It differs from other regions by having its own parliament.

Holidays

Holidays on the island do not end all year. It could be fairs or carnivals or festivals or even religious processions. Each city has its own patron, to whom street processions are mainly dedicated.

In the summer (August 15) in Sicily, a universal Italian holiday is celebrated - Ferragosto. annual film festival and summer season cinema, theater and music are held in July in Taormina. On July 10-16, the feast of St. Rosalia is celebrated in Palermo, and on August 13-14, a procession of giant dolls of Mata and the Griffin (according to legend, the founders of the city) takes place in Messina.

In autumn the whole island celebrates the Harvest Festival.

Common winter holidays are Christmas and Epiphany. In February, the Almond Blossom Festival is celebrated in Agrigento. On February 3-5, all of Catania honors Saint Agatha. On the eve of Lent, a carnival takes place in Acireale. At this time, huge carts, the height of which reaches 12 meters, move along the narrow streets. ancient city. Each wagon presents some picture of Sicilian life.

In the spring, Sicily celebrates Easter week. On April 25, the feast of Saint Ragusa is celebrated in Ragusa. The first Sunday in May is the day of Saint Lucia, the patroness of Syracuse. The third Sunday in May in Noto is the Feast of Flowers. On this day the main street city ​​(length 122, width 6 meters) is decorated with flowers. End of May in Cefalu (Cefalu) - Feast of merry inventors.

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Rest

The coast of Sicily is just strewn with excellent resorts. Everyone will be able to choose something for themselves. United here best beaches Mediterranean and local attractions that are close enough.

For example, in the province of Agrigento you can enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches and the unspoiled nature of the islands of Linosa, Lampione and Lampedusa. The Skiaccia resort will offer you a holiday in the thermal waters. The most popular of the islands in the province of Agrigento is considered to be Lampedusa. On it you can just go fishing, go diving or ride a scooter. An unforgettable sight awaits you on Rabbit Beach - white sand and clear turquoise water. And renting a canoe, you can see the caves with large sea turtles.

Syracuse is associated among tourists with beautiful nature, varied recreation and modern service. This is where diving enthusiasts seek to get. They are beckoned by the Rocky Shores deep caves and diversity of the underwater world. For those who prefer to relax above the water, the resorts of Syracuse are ready to offer, protected from the wind, sandy beaches with beautiful views of the ancient fortress.

You can see the provincial life of Sicily and relax on the coast of Catania. Spacious beaches provide secluded relaxation and a calm atmosphere. If you get bored of lying on the beach, you can watch the locals go fishing or visit the bird sanctuary.

For those who simply crave movement, Palermo is the best place to go. Best Resort this province - Mondello. On weekends and on holidays, in addition to foreigners, the Sicilians themselves come here. After all best markets, restaurants and bars are located here.

Taormina is rightfully considered the best resort in all of Sicily. This city is located near Messina. And here you can try everything. And a classic beach holiday, and water sports, and a wide variety of SPA-salons, as well as a large selection of excursion programs. Thanks to such a variety and excellent service, you can even meet Hollywood stars here.

Attractions

Mount Etna

The capital of the province of the same name Messina was founded by Greek settlers. The main attraction of the city is the oldest cathedral in Sicily - Duma Cathedral. The building dates from the 12th century and is made in the Norman style. On the bell tower of the Cathedral Square you can see astronomical clock. Made in the 18th century, today they are considered the largest in the world.

Provincial capital Catania was founded by the Greeks in 729 BC. There are ruins in the city Roman theater. It will also be interesting to see Cathedral of St. Agatha, dating from the 11th century, ursino castle, dating from the 13th, and Biscari Palace, as an example of Sicilian Baroque.

syracuse

syracuse were founded by the Corinthians in 734 BC. Since then, the city has preserved many historical monuments. It is also the largest in Sicily. Greek theater, And Roman amphitheater, And Hieron's altar, and many others. Also of interest is a large castle from the period of antiquity - Euryal, dating back to the four hundred years BC.

No less interesting monuments of eras, antiquity and the Middle Ages have been preserved in the cities of the provinces of Caltanissetta and Ragusa.

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Sicilian cuisine

Sicily is practically perfect place recreation and for lovers beach holiday and for fans to explore ancient monuments. But at the same time, one should not forget about another important attraction of the island - Sicilian cuisine. Many different Sicilian dishes are traditionally Italian. Among them, of course, pizza, pasta, as well as various fish and cheese dishes.

Like all traditions and culture in this place, she learned a little bit from every people who ever lived on these lands. From the Arabs, for example, came a love for saffron and rice, from the Greeks for fresh fruits and vegetables, from the Romans for pasta. The borrowed dishes include the traditional for the province, "couscous". This dish has clearly Arabic roots. In the province of Ragusa, various meat dishes are more popular. The most famous is considered "falsomagro" - a roll stuffed with eggs, ham, meat and cheese, boiled in wine with tomato sauce.

In some Sicilian provinces meat dishes are even more consumed than on the mainland. The locals are especially fond of rabbit and pork dishes. Barbecue of young goat meat and lamb is popular almost everywhere. And absolutely all meat dishes are prepared with a lot of spices.

Seafood

And yet, despite the widespread use of meat in cooking, Sicily is still an island. Here, around every corner you can find an institution serving fish and other seafood. The richness and variety of fish and seafood dishes is simply amazing. Squid and cuttlefish, cod and mackerel, swordfish and mullet, lobsters and much more. Even traditional Sicilian pasta is served with sardines. The pasta itself is made from durum wheat grown here.

As is the case throughout Italy, it is customary to use local produce when preparing meals. Such as olives and olive oil, lemons and, well, a lot of spices and seasonings. By the way, olive oil from Sicily is considered one of the best in the world.

Gelato

A separate place among the culinary delights of Sicily takes (gelato) and confectionery. Anyone who came to rest in Sicily is simply obliged to treat himself a little with some delicacy. Undoubtedly, the king of Sicilian desserts is ice cream. It is this culinary attraction that is especially loved by tourists from all over the world.

Hundreds of varieties of delicious cold treats. Pure creamy taste or with a variety of additives, sweet sherbet with chocolate or pieces of fresh fruit. Or maybe you like a snack with a croissant. Whatever you choose, you are guaranteed incomparable pleasure. It is worth paying attention to popsicles with the addition of almonds, jasmine, pistachios, watermelon or cinnamon.

Guilt

Sicily leads Italy in wine production. Tasting this national product will also leave you with the most pleasant impressions.

You should definitely try the famous Sicilian Marsala (Marsala) - this tart red wine tastes like port wine. However, it is used as an aperitif and additives in the preparation of confectionery. Other varieties of Sicilian wines are no less famous around the world. Among them are Cerrasuolo di Vittoria (Cerrasuolo di Vittoria DOCG), Moscato (Moscato IGP), Nero d'Avola (Nero d'Avola) and Alcamo (Alcamo DOC).

By the way, Sicily is in the list of 10 most beautiful places world, recommended for mandatory visits by tourists. And if you still have not visited this hospitable island, be sure to include this trip in your next plans.

Before the trip, you will need mine for the western part of the island.

Sicily- a green riot in the Mediterranean, characterized by diverse landscapes, as well as a cosmopolitan island and historical Center various revolutions. It is the southernmost and most remote part of the Peninsula. Sicily It is separated from the mainland by the Strait of Messina and is washed by the Ionian, Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean Seas.

One of paradise south of Italy, which beckons to explore, learn and simply follow countless routes that satisfy all tastes. It seems that nature is the main wealth of the island. Mountains, hills and, of course, the sea, which, with its wonderful color, perfectly clear water and the endless beauty of the depths, is incomparable to any other sea. Archaeological finds that tell about the origin of Trinacria (the ancient name of Sicily) and various monuments that have come down to us through the centuries are of particular attraction.

In ancient times, the island was part of the rest of Italy and separated from it due to rising sea levels. This is evidenced by the Peloritani Mountains, consisting of the same rocks as other mountains that skirt the Strait of Messina. The shores of the island are covered sheer cliffs and sandy beaches with numerous bays with crystal clear water.

Its location on three main platforms - Ionian, African and Tyrrhenian - made it the center of the ancient world, as if another Greek island, and the frontal zone at the borders of the Arab-Islamic world, which, by the way, left its indelible mark on the cities and culture of the island.

Provinces of Sicily: Palermo (capital), Agrigento, Catania, Caltanisetta, Enna, Messina, Ragusa, Syracuse and Trapani.

Sicily since the Paleolithic times, it has looked attractive from the point of view of its strategic position. After the Sicans of Iberia, the Elims of Libya and the Siculs from the Continent with 735 BC there existed Greek colonies. IN 265 BC appeared in Messina the Romans. under their rule Sicily divided into provinces and became the breadbasket of the Empire. After the Goth-Byzantine war in 552 AD. and up to the 9th c. the island became part of the Eastern Roman Empire as a peripheral province.

WITH 827 began Arab conquest Sicily: from Mazara del Vallo to Taormina. From that moment on, the golden time of the island began, because Palermo became the capital of the emirate of Kalibi. On the territory of Val di Noto and Val Demone, however, the Greco-Latin civilization remained.

WITH 1061 Sicily captured by the Normans Ruggiero D'Altavilla became king of Apulia, Calabria and Sicily. During the Norman conquests Sicily reached its peak. Islamic culture was incorporated into the new organization of the island. Al Idrisi, an Islamic geographer and traveler, having settled in Palermo at the court of Ruggiero II, in his notes speaks of magical Sicily, a crossroads of cultural exchange: “The island of Sicily is a pearl of its time, sparkling with beauty and abundance […]. All travelers and merchants from all corners of the world admire its splendor […]”.

Under the rule of Zveva, here was the cradle of the empire of Federico II, who placed the court in Palermo and made the city a literary and scientific center: it was during this period that the Sicilian poetic school was born and an attempt was made to create a literary language - a mixture of popular Latin and torn. With the advent of the Angevins, the French rulers, the people raised an unusual rebellion in Palermo "Sicilian evenings", but, in the end, they had to surrender to the new invaders - the Aragonians, the Spaniards and the enemies of the Angevins.

IN 1415 the spaniards made an island viceroyalty. It is impossible not to mention the treatise of Utrecht 1713 d, since at that time Spanish domination ended and Savoy came to power. Ferdinand IV of Bourbon, King of Naples 1812 g united the two Sicilies and abolished feudal privileges. After the revolution in 1848 The Bourbons lost power and were finally defeated by Garibaldi's troops in 1860 .

Different conquerors succeeded each other in Sicily until its incorporation into the Kingdom of Italy in the 19th century. After all the conquests, due to the terrible economic crisis, mass emigration of people to America began.

IN 1948 Sicily was declared an autonomous region of Italy in a state of social and economic crisis.

Sicily - nature

The delightful cities of the island are full of history and traditions that have passed through the centuries: a quaint Sicilian baroque against the backdrop of Easter processions and holidays in honor of saints, Sicilian carriages and a puppet theater brought from Spain in the 18th and 19th centuries. - all this is worth seeing when traveling around the island.

Above all rises majestically Etna- the highest point in Italy and an active volcano. He is also called the mountain of the volcano, the god of fire, the blacksmith of the gods; other legends say that here is the tomb of the philosopher Empedocles, who committed suicide by throwing himself into the crater, or that the soul of the English Queen Elizabeth, who during her reign made a deal with the devil, is imprisoned in it. Saint Agatha, the patroness of Catania, once miraculously protected people from an eruption, and to this day the inhabitants cry out to her, asking for shelter from fire and lightning.

Around the island, like satellites, is the Aeolian, or Liparsky archipelago, which includes seven large volcanic islands: Salina, Lipari, Alicudi, Filicudi, Panarea and Stromboli, the only active volcano for many years; West of Trapani are the Aegadian Islands (Levanzo, Favignana and Marettimo), which were once part of Sicily. The history of the Aeolian Islands is inextricably linked with volcanoes, artists and sculptors who created this natural masterpiece, where you can plunge into the transparent depths of the sea, look into coastal caves, sunbathe on small beaches washed by the purest water, before enjoying excellent cuisine, naturally based on fish dishes. In the South - the island of Pantelleria, also volcanic, another pearl that attracts tourists with the unearthly beauty of its nature. And finally, the Pelagian archipelago, which includes Linosa and Lampedusa, geographically related to Africa.

Sicily remains a fascinating island: not easy to get to, but once visited, you will never forget.

What to see in Sicily

Sicily has many places to visit related to nature, history and tradition.

Among the special attractions are two active volcanoes, Stromboli and Etna the largest active volcano in Europe. Etna is located in the eastern part of the island and should not be missed if you travel through this land. Impressive eruptions over time, they made the landscape in the district truly unique in the world.

Those interested in scenery should choose protected areas the parks of Etna, Madonie or Nebrodi, the volcanic paradise of Pantelleria, rich in captivating views, for example, "Pertuza di Notaro" (grotto with the purest air) and local bungalows built from volcanic stones.

Beauvais Valley with natural walls up to 1000 m high,

An ice cave with the only eternal glacier preserved at this latitude,

Gole Alcantara, a dense network of canals crossing the river of the same name, is only a small fraction of all the natural wonders of Sicily.

Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. Another treasure of humanity on the UNESCO list is the archaeological area near Argigento, one of the greatest cities of Magna Graecia. Immersed in the greenery of olive, almond, citrus and vine trees stretching all the way to the sea, hidden is the Valley of the Temples. With its monuments, it recalls the unreal atmosphere that reigned here 2500 years ago, when the ancient Akagras Agrigentum was a political and cultural center.

Syracuse and UNESCO attractions

Syracuse is located in the southeast of Sicily, another UNESCO site (2005, together with the Pantalica necropolis). This ancient Greek colony overlooks a natural port, overlapped to the east by the island of Ortigia, an even older urban center. In the city at every step you meet archaeological evidence of Magna Graecia. Syracuse and the Aeolian Islands are home to two other unmissable UNESCO sites: the eight late-Baroque towns of Val di Noto and the Roman villa at Casale.

Taormina. << Если тот, кому предстоит провести на Сицилии всего один день, спросит: «Что я смогу посмотреть?» я не раздумывая отвечу: «Таормину». Это лишь природа, но такая, что способна запросто завладеть вашим взором, разумом, фантазией.>> this is how the famous French writer Guy de Maupassant describes Taormina. A few words that encapsulate the essence of this diamond between Messina and Catania.

Things to do in Sicily

The undisputed ruler of the local lands is the sea, revealing to you the rich potential of beaches and waves, on which you are drawn to work. windsurfing or kitesurfing. Yes, because the power of the sea, combined with the power of the wind, allows you to race, even almost fly, over the surface of the transparent waters caressing the coasts of Cape San Vito, Mondello, Cefalu, Marina di Ragusa, Taormina, the Aeolian Islands, Pantelleria, Lampedusa, Ustica.

Hiking, horses, motorcycles and golf. Hikers should definitely take a walk along the picturesque natural parks Sicily. Those who do not like to walk will enjoy riding horses or on a motorcycle. Last time Sicily began to attract golf lovers. New fields are being built and an Open Tournament is held annually.

Thermae. Italy has always been famous for its thermal springs- a form of natural therapy. Land of water and volcanoes, Sicily offers wide choose thermal resources with various services, including cosmetic ones. The most famous are the Baths of Calogero, caves in which the vapors maintain a temperature of about 40 °, and the Baths of Acireale, in which sea ​​water mixed with rich sulfur water from Etna.

literary places

For lovers of cultural tourism Sicily offers a journey through history, art and culture. Writers such as Salvatore Quasimodo, Giovanni Verga, Luigi Pirandello, Leonardo Shasha, Tomasi Lapedusa were inspired by the local atmosphere and climate. They were inspired to write such masterpieces as Ocelot or Sloth.

The atmosphere has not changed over the years, and today you can travel to the places described in the novels to relive the impressions received by the authors who wrote their works here.

Sicilian Magna Graecia. Those who want to plunge into the past should visit the temples of Selinunte and Syracuse, Agrigento and Imera, the Greco-Roman theater of Taormina and the cathedrals of the Norman era. Especially in Palermo (the churches of Martorana, St. Giovanni the Hermit in San Cataldo).

Those interested in traditions should definitely see the Sicilian puppet theater (puppets), showing the plays of Orlando Furioso.

Holidays in Sicily

A rich choice awaits those who love holidays and cultural events.

Every year Taormina organizes many events, among which the most famous is the film festival, where the best new works are selected.

The vital enthusiasm of the Sicilians leaves its mark on the celebration of Carnival - the most important and noisy event of the year. Carnival in Acireale is called the best in Sicily for the original decoration with flowers and ribbons of fake papier-mâché carts, accompanied by a crowd of colorful masks.

There are also numerous holidays dedicated to the Saints - the patrons of Sicily (a mixture of faith, folklore and tradition), talking about the deep religiosity of the Sicilians. Saint Rosalia's Day in Palermo and Saint Agatha's Day in Catania are just a couple of the huge number of holidays celebrated every year throughout the territory.

What to try in Sicily

The abundance of warmth from the earth is also reflected in the Sicilian cuisine, which speaks of the passion and care of the people who serve these delicious dishes to the table. Snacks like rice zrazy or cazzilli (delicious potato chops) or Catania pancakes will whet your appetite. Pay attention to the first dishes.

Eggplant (caponata, parmesan pasta) is present in many dishes. Lots of fish dishes, from Trapanese couscous to sardines. Taste the local tuna, swordfish, hake and shark. The most interesting meat dishes will be badduzze (meatballs) and cooked warbler (bird).

Don't miss the famous Sicilian sweets with ricotta and almond paste, especially the Christmas sweets.

Noteworthy are the products of the DOP and IGT brands, which put Sicily in first place among the countries of the Mediterranean Sea, famous for exporting food products.

Extra virgin olive oil, juicy red oranges, sweet Canicatti grapes, Pachino tomatoes, Pantelleria capers, Indian figs and Nocellara Belice olives. These are the products she is famous for. Sicily.

And don't forget the cheeses: Ragusano, pecorino, but also sausages, such as salami from Sant'Angelo, and, finally, the wonderful pastries like pannotta - a round bread from Dittaino.

In addition to this, excellent Sicilian wines with a tart and seasoned taste await you. Choose from Marsala, Trapani, Belice or Vittoria.

Sicily is located on the island of the same name off the coast in the Mediterranean Sea. total area, together with the nearby islands, is 25.7 thousand km², which is 8.5% of the entire territory of the country. The population is 5.019 million people (9% of the Italian population). Sicily includes adjacent to it - Pelagian, Ustica, Pantelleria and Aegadian.

The region is divided into nine provinces, and the administrative center of the island and the region is the city (Palermo), which has 651 thousand inhabitants, and with suburbs 945 thousand people.

Geography

Large cities: Mazara del Vallo, Acireale, (Agrigento), Vittoria, Bagheria, (), (), Ragusa (Ragusa), (Catania), Gela ( Gela), (Marsala), (Siracusa), (Messina).

The largest island in the Mediterranean. It is separated from the Apennine Peninsula by the Strait of Messina, from Africa by the Sicilian, and from the island of Malta by the Strait of Malta. In the south and west, the island of Sicily is washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, in the north - by the Tyrrhenian, and in the east - ionian sea. The length of the coastline is 1039 kilometers.

Climate

Mediterranean type, with mild rainy winters and hot dry summers. average temperature in Palermo in January +10.3 °С, and in July +23.6 °С. Mountains occupy 25% of the island, 61% - hilly terrain and 14% - plains. In the southeast of the island is the highest active volcano in all of Europe - Etna (3340 m). All the rivers of Sicily are short: Simeto (Simeto), Alcantara (Alcantara), Platani (Platani), Salso (Salso). Pergusa is the only lake of natural origin located in the central part of Sicily. The shores of the island are indented by numerous bays: Augusta, Noto, Gela, Catania, Castellammare, Milazzo, and others.

Transport

At the moment, several modern ones have been built on the island: Catania - Palermo and Messina - Catania. Over the past hundred years, the quantity and quality of railways has hardly changed.

is a part transport system Sicily. Most of the railway network in this region belongs to the Italian national company Ferrovie dello Stato and has a standard European gauge. The only exception is the narrow gauge Railway Ferrovia Circumetnea.

To connect Sicily with and there are direct passenger trains. And since Sicily has no connection to the Italian mainland by tunnel or bridge, trains are transported by ferry across the Strait of Messina.
In two cities of Sicily, and Palermo, there is a subway, and in - a tram.

The international airport is located in Palermo, and local airports are in Trapani and Catania.

Industry

Industry plays a very important role in the economy of this area, it is represented here in two sectors: modern, in the provinces of Messina, Agrigento, Syracuse, Catania and Caltanissetta, and traditional, which is distributed throughout Sicily. Among the modern industries, oil refining, petrochemical, electronic, metalworking, machine-building, and chemical industries stand out. And among the traditional industries - the food industry, primarily the production of pasta, canned vegetables and olive oil.

Also in Sicily, mining is very developed: oil, natural gas, sulfur, table and potash salt.

Agriculture

Agriculture is successfully developing in Sicily, thanks to the fertile soils and the mild climate of the coastal plains. About 650 thousand hectares on the island are allocated for agricultural crop farming.

Even the instability of the water supply is not a hindrance to the fact that agriculture is one of the most important economic resources of Sicily. The production of cereals is very important here, for example, wheat is one of the most valuable types of hard grain, which is necessary for the production of the best varieties of pasta. Olives are grown here in significant quantities, from which high-quality olive oil is subsequently produced.

The most important fruit grown in Sicily is the persimmon, for which the commune of Misilmeri is famous. There, in November, a holiday dedicated to this fruit is celebrated. Fruit growing is economically important to the island, with fruits considered exotic such as mangoes and kiwis, as well as bananas, almonds and pistachios.

Floriculture is also developed here. Mostly orchids are grown, which are suitable for the local climate. Sicilian flowers are exported to European countries.

In addition to all this, beekeeping is also developed in Sicily.

Fishing

A precious resource of Sicily is fishing. There are many large fishing ports on the island. The basis of the fishing industry is mackerel, sardines, tuna and anchovies, all typical blue fish of the Mediterranean, allowing the canning industry to be supplied with all the necessary materials for the production of canned fish and smoked fish.

Breeding of goldfish, oysters, catfish, and some other mollusks is also practiced here.

Story

Sicily is easily accessible by sea, so it was perhaps the first of the inhabited regions of Italy.

The first human traces on the island date back to the Paleolithic era. During the early Neolithic period (7000-6000 BC), the region was inhabited by carriers of the Cardiac Ware culture. Before the beginning of the early written era, the development of Sicily took place almost simultaneously with neighboring island Malta, where the same cultures dominated. The only exception was the absence on the territory of the island megalithic temples, which gives historians reason to believe that in relation to Malta, Sicily could occupy a subordinate position.

The oldest famous stories the inhabitants of the island are the Sikans, the Siculs, and the Elims. Behind them came the Phoenicians. The Greeks invaded Sicily in the 8th century BC. They rebuilt the settlements of the Phoenicians and founded a number of new colonies (Catania, Palermo, Agrigento, Messina, Syracuse). They gave impetus to the development of agriculture and trade. At that time the island was called Trinacria, which really characterized the shape of the island. On the east and south coast Most of the Greek cities were located on the island. These cities developed very quickly and became the centers of the Greek civilization of the central Mediterranean. Some of the numerous structures of this era; have been preserved to this day.

The famous Greek scientist Archimedes was born and died in Syracuse. Also here in different time lived the poets Theocritus and Pindar, Aeschylus, the philosophers Plato, Pythagoras, Diodorus, Gorgias and Empedocles. And Sicily became at that time the center of Greek science and culture.

Continuous internecine wars accompanied the era of Greek rule. And during the first Punic War, the island became the scene of battles between the Carthaginians and the Romans.

In 227 BC Sicily became a province of Rome, and was turned by the Romans into the breadbasket of the republic. New roads were built here, existing settlements were fortified. But the increased exploitation of a large number of slaves who worked on local latifundia led to slave uprisings that escalated into wars.

Sicily was invaded by Vandals and Goths in the 5th century AD, in 535 Byzantium was established on the island, and in the 9th-11th centuries Sicily was overwhelmed by raids by Saracen pirates.

In 1061, Sicily was invaded by the Normans, creating the Kingdom of Sicily. Their rule contributed to the return of the island to its former prosperity. The port of Palermo was fortified and expanded, and the city of Palermo was practically rebuilt. Thanks to irrigation, agricultural production has grown significantly. Many new crops began to be grown, such as jasmine, cotton, sugarcane, and citrus fruits.

In 1266 Charles I of Anjou took possession of the Sicilian kingdom. A popular uprising broke out against him in 1282, as a result of which the Angevin dynasty lost power over Sicily. After that, the Aragonese established themselves on the island.

The power in Sicily passed to the Bourbon dynasty in the 17th century according to the Peace of Utrecht. Then the cultural and political center moved to Naples.

Sicily became part of the united Italian state in 1860, and in 1946 received the status of an autonomous region.

The Sicilians were very good at cooking, in which they added watermelon, pistachios, almonds, cinnamon and jasmine. Sicilian is also famous all over the world - strong, tart and noble "Faro di Messina", "Regaleali", "Nero D'Avola", "Marsala", "Moscato", and others. It is also produced in Sicily, which is deservedly considered one of the best in the world.

You should also try pure Sicilian desserts and dishes such as Cassata, Cannoli Siciliani made from sheep's cottage cheese, aromatic Limoncello liqueur, and dishes such as Parmiggiana and Caponata di melanzane.

Tourism and attractions

Sicily is one of the most beautiful and interesting islands Mediterranean Sea, he managed to preserve his original beauty. These are bizarre rocks in numerous bays and bays, the most beautiful sandy beaches, immersed in the greenery of citrus and olive orchards of the valley, majestic mountains, the highest of the active volcanoes Etna.

Palermo is the administrative center and also The largest city and the port of the island of Sicily, located on the north coast. It was founded by the Phoenicians. Since 1130, the city of Palermo has become the residence of the kings of the Sicilian kingdom. The local attractions are the church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti and Martorana, combining the Romanesque style with elements of Byzantine and Arab architecture. Palazzo Reale is Royal Palace, which was rebuilt from an Arab fortress. Another architectural monument of Palermo is the famous Cathedral, its construction began in 1170. Best museums Palermo: National Gallery, National Archaeological Museum, Modern Art Gallery, Treasury Cathedral and the Ethnographic Museum.

The town of Enna is of great interest to tourists, it is located in the central part of the island. The founders of this city were the Greeks, but then it came under the rule of Rome. Here began a major uprising of slaves in 136 BC, which was led by the Syrian Euno. This uprising then spread throughout the island, and even escalated into a war lasting seven years. Here, in ancient times, the cult of the goddess of fertility - Demeter, was quite widespread, therefore, in this area they were mainly engaged in agriculture. And on the very high point Enna built a temple to Demeter.

Near Agrigento and Messina, the remains of ancient Greek temples have been preserved. The construction of cathedrals in Montreal and Cefalu belongs to the Norman period. They are well preserved, and in their interiors you can see beautiful mosaics that were made by Byzantine craftsmen.

Mount Etna can be recommended for climbing lovers of active tourism. From it in clear weather, a wonderful panorama of the entire island opens. Snow on this mountain lies almost until the end of May, so you can ski here both in winter and in spring.