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Palermo



Puerto Nuova

  

The Chiesa di San Cataldo (The Church of San Cataldo)

Fontana Pretoria (Pretoria Fountain)

The Cattedrale di Palermo (Cathedral of Palermo)

Cattedrale di Palermo



Teatro Massimo (Massimo Theatre)



The Catacombe di Cappuchini (Capuchin Catacomb)

On my last day in Sicily, I drove 2 hours northwest and toured Palermo. Although it is the region's capital, Palermo is ironically known for the birthplace of the mafia. When I arrived, I drove through the archway of the Porta Nuova and parked at the Piazza del Parlamento and found myself visiting the Parliament grounds, Fontana Pretoria, La Cattedrale di Palermo, Teatro Massimo, and Chiesa di San Cataldo. However, none of these sites affected me more than the Catacombe di Cappuccini, which has been around since the 16th century. I found the catacomb bizarre and disturbing because  its walls were lined with mummified skeletons in period clothing!  As I walked down the dimly lit corridors of the catacomb, I was subjected to a thousand eyeless stares that even now leaves me shuddering at the memory. Yet this did not mar my overall impression of Palermo, but added to the experience!  I was sad to leave Sicily, but was very thankful for the respite after the tumultous months spent  in revolutionary Cairo. It was exactly what I needed. Perfecto!

Taormina

I always find it amusing that Mercedes are taxis in Europe.

Midweek of my visit, I ventured an hour up Sicily's autostrada to the popular destination spot of Taormina. The view from Taormina was phenomenal, and the shopping opportunities were ample and delightful. The Ionian Sea was a marvelous contrast of azures and aquas that sparkled beautifully in the sunlight. It was by far my favorite place on the island! An additional bonus was the discovery of the Teatro Greco  (Greek Theatre) that was located on the hilltop above the town. The theatre was built in 300 B.C. and was once the hub for live theatrical and musical performances.  Its remains were still incredibly intact, and the location had one of the most breathtaking views on the island. It was overall an exceptionally delightful visit!

Catania

Piazza Duomo

Elephant Square

A mermaid and merman were at the base of the fountain.



Anfiteatro Romano entry.



The amphitheatre was protected within a gated enclosure.

During my visit to Sicily I flew into Catania, which prominantly sits on the east coast of the island facing the Ionian Sea.  It is the second largest city on the island, and the tenth in Italy.  It is the province's capital, and was founded in 8th century B.C.  During the Renaissance period of the 14th century, Catania was the center of cultural, artistic, and political activities.  The city's architectural delights were distinctly influenced by the Roman and Greek empires  and the Catholic church. Interestingly, the elephant is the city's heraldic symbol since the 13th century.  The elephant in Piazza Duomo (Cathedral Square), or what the locals call "Elephant Square," was sculpted out of volcanic stone during the Roman era.  An obelisk was additionally mounted later as a finishing post for races, when the statue sat in the city's center. The Anfiteatro Romano (Roman Amphitheatre), several blocks away in the midst of a busy roundabout (traffic circle), was another interesting discovery.  It was protected within the confines of a gated enclosure, and was once the site for violent gladiator games.  Today it is the architechtural prototype for sporting arenas around the world. 

Bella Sicilia

During Easter week, I visited the island of Sicily; the largest island in the Mediterranean and is the autonomous region of Italy. One of the first things that visitors notice about Sicily is its picturesque countryside.  In my explorations, I stumbled across some beautifully abandoned villas that looked utterly romantic and dramatic on film, but none had more allure than Mount Etna, Europe's tallest active volcano.  During my visit, it was a comforting looming presence in the distance. This was my second visit to Sicily, the first having occurred when I lived in Naples, and it was still just as beautiful as I remembered.