WHAT TO SEE IN SICILY:  THE CITIES, THE MUSEUMS AND THE MONUMENTS YOU CAN’T MISS

After showing you What to see in Veneto, I decided to dedicate a special post to what to see in Sicily.
The history of Sicily began in ancient times and combines with mythology.
It’s hard not fall in love with Sicily!

So, here is what to see in Sicily.

What to see in Sicily

La Cattedrale di Palermo

1 – THE PALERMO CATHEDRAL

I’ve already talked about this church in the post What to see in Palermo where I made a list of places you must see in the Sicilian regional capital.

Since Palermo has been named Italian Capital of Culture 2018, I couldn’t help but put the place representing all the layers of its cultural history on the list.
The story of the Palermo Cathedral began under the Phoenicians, went on under the Arab domination and continues still today.

READ ALSO – things to see in Pistoia: italy’s capital of culture for 2017.

2 – THE ANCIENT THEATRE OF TAORMINA

The Ancient Theatre of Taormina is located maybe in the most beautiful place of Sicily, because from here spectators can admire the Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea.
The theatre has very ancient origins, and what we admire today was built in the Roman period (in the 2^ndcentury AC).
Completely abandoned during the Middle Ages, only starting from the 18^thcentury the attention refocused on the theatre and since the 1950s has been used for events and theatrical performances.

3 – THE VALLEY OF THE TEMPLES

A list of what to see in Sicilymust comprise the Valley of the Temples.
Visiting this place means you can take a journey to Magna Greacia (Great Greece), to lose yourself in the charm of ancient times.
The Valley of the Temples is obviously inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site List and boasts one of the leading archaeological sites of the Mediterranean, surrounded by a breathtaking landscape.

READ ALSO – 7 wonders of the world: what they are and where they are

Agrigento, Valle dei Templi.

4 – CARAVAGGIO IN SICILY

In 1606 Caravaggio was obliged to escape from Rome after killing a man during a brawl.
He was on the lam and he arrived in Sicily, where he would paint many artworks.
So, the Church of  Santa Lucia alla Badia in Syracuse, which houses  the “Burial of Saint Lucy” the first masterpiece the artist painted in Sicily is a must see.
Other works by Caravaggio hang in the Museo Regionale in Messina: “The Raising of Lazarus” and “The Adoration of the Shepherds”.

READ ALSO – The life of Caravaggio: 5 things to know

5 – THE BAROQUE TOWNS OF THE VAL DI NOTO

The Val di Noto is located in the north-eastern Sicily and its Baroque towns are inscribed on the World Heritage List.
In fact, in this area you can find the most beautiful Baroque towns of Sicily: Caltagirone, Militello in Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo, Ragusa and Scicli.
My advice to you is to start your visit of the Val di Noto from Caltagirone, which has been a renowned center for production of ceramics since ancient times.

Le ceramiche di Caltagirone

READ ALSO – a museum in Palermo, Abatellis Palace: tickets, opening times and works on display