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About Sicily.
Sicily is famous for its colourful and wide-ranging cultural influences - it's certainly not alone in Europe in its history of conquest, invasion and assimilation, but here the legacy is particularly obvious and alive. One of the most illustrious phases of Sicily's varied history arrived in the eighth century BC, with Greek and Carthaginian colonists. Bronze Age evidence shows the earlier existence of trade routes with Greece, and in 734 BC the first colony was established at Naxos (close to present-day Taormina) by Greeks keen to exploit the island's agricultural potential. Sicily's fertility ensured the successful growth of this and subsequent colonies, which, as part of Magna Graecia, came to rival the Greek city states. Syracuse, the greatest of Sicily's Greek cities, became a significant power in the Mediterranean, although Greek Sicily was perpetually driven by inter-state warfare.
In mainland Italy, the Romans grew in power and took hold of Sicily after the sacking of Syracuse during the Second Punic War in 211 BC. Over the centuries, Sicily became an important source of grain for the Roman Empire, seen principally as an agricultural resource. Nevertheless, some of the island's towns and villas reflect Rome's grandeur, and Greek theatres (such as those in Taormina and Siracusa) were adapted to suit more bloodthirsty Roman tastes. A brief occupation by barbarians followed the fall of the Empire, before Sicily came under Byzantine sway. Next came the Arabs, in the ninth century AD. Under Arab rule Sicily regained wealth and prestige, with their capital Palermo becoming an elegant and famed city. As the Arab rulers began to bicker, it was the turn of the Normans to take advantage of the island's vulnerability. In the late eleventh century, Palermo became the capital of Norman Sicily. Another period of wealth and growth followed, with the creation of many of the island's finest monuments and artworks.
After Sicily had changed hands a number of times, a 1282 revolt known as the Sicilian Vespers overthrew the French. Then followed five centuries of Spanish domination. As usual, Sicily was under outside rule, and thus missed out on many of Europe's developments. Culture remained agricultural and feudal. The pressures of the Church and the Inquisition helped keep the populace subdued. An eruption of Etna in 1669 and the immense earthquake of 1693 killed many and the rebuilding kept the populace busy. In various wars and treaties, Sicily was handed around, belonging briefly to the House of Savoy, and then Austria. Then came the Spanish Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (ruled by the Bourbon kings of Naples), which endured the Napoleonic Wars and continued, despite a British attempt at reform, to oppress the population. Thus when Garibaldi made his famous landing at Marsala in 1860, to claim the island for the Savoy dynasty in his successful quest for Italian unification, the new regime was greeted optimistically. This is the period in which the novel The Leopard is set.
Failed or insuffient reforms meant that the lot of ordinary Sicilians did not improve significantly over the next period, which saw the growth in power of fear-wielding land managers, giving rise to the intimidatory criminal class that was to become known as the Mafia. The Messina earthquake of 1908 killed over 80,000 people. Millions emigrated in search of a better life. During the Second world War, Sicily was invaded by the Allies, who restored order with the assistance of the Mafia, tightening its grip on the island. From then the history of the island is bound up in struggles for political power, the criminal machinations of the Mafia, mismanagement and misappropriation of resources. However, the closing years of the twentieth century saw the beginnings of popular movements against corruption and crime, as well as an increase in the tourism which is so important to the island's economy. Italy Heaven
Sicilian Food and Wine
There's no doubt about it. Food and wine are among Sicily's main attractions, and you may have sampled something of both long before arriving in Sicily. When most people think of Italian food, pasta and pizza come to mind. But Sicilian cuisine, and the Mediterranean Diet, transcends these ubiquitous culinary delights. If you plan to go on a diet, may be you could always diet later otherwise you will miss out on the real Sicilian experience.
Sicily is renowned for its seafood. Grilled swordfish is popular. Smaller fish, especially snapper, is sometimes prepared in a vinegar and sugar sauce. Seppia (cuttlefish) is served in its own black sauce with pasta. Another Sicilian seafood dish made with pasta is finnochio con sarde (fennel with sardines).
Meat dishes are always popular. Many are traditionally made with lamb or goat. Best known outside Sicily is vitello alla marsala (veal marsala), one of many regional meat specialties. Chicken "alla marsala" can be prepared using a similar recipe and method. Milza (veal spleen) sandwiches are a bit "native" for most tastes, and loaded with cholesterol, but delicious anyway.
Sicilian desserts are superlative. Cannoli are tubular crusts with creamy ricotta and sugar filling. If they taste a little different from the ones you've had outside Italy, that's because the ricotta here is made from sheep's milk. Cassata is a rich, sugary cake filled with the same delicious filling. Frutta di Martorana (or pasta reale) are almond marzipan pastries colored and shaped to resemble real fruit. Sicilian gelato (ice cream) is excellent. In fact, it is possible that ice cream was invented in Sicily during Roman times, when a relay of runners would bring snow down from Mount Etna to be flavored and served to wealthy patricians. You'll find flavors ranging from pistachio and hazelnut (nocciola) to jasmine (gelsomino) to mulberry (gelsi) to strawberry (fragala) and rum (zuppa inglese). Granita is sweetened crushed ice made in Summer and flavored with lemons or strawberries. Best of Sicily
Most people do not seem to realize how much Sicily has to offer. With its sun, its beige pebble and sandy beaches, its warm aqua blue water, its snow-topped volcano Mount Etna, its forests and rolling golden hills, Sicily has always been at the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, and therefore, it has always been at the centre of Mediterranean history. Babilonia |
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