Attractions

Palermo

The old town of Palermo is home to many historic buildings, including the Cathedral, the elaborate Royal Palace and Cappella Palatina chapel, as well as the Arabic-Norman churches of La Martorana and San Giovanni degli Eremeti. If you still want to see more churches, the baroque churches of San Giuseppe dei Teatini and Santa Caterina are also interesting. Detailed mosaic work decorates most of the buildings in the city and is well worth seeing. The city is home to many museums boasting fine art collections and displays of archaeology and ethnography.

Chiesa della Martorana This church was built in 1143 and was consecrated to St. Mary. The name “La Martorana” is in honor of the Benedictine nun, Eloisa Martorana, who founded an adjacent convent in 1194. Its original Norman façade was updated in the Baroque style in the 16th century. The church is known for its illustrious mosaics that are preserved on its interior walls and date back from its original construction. Also, its graceful bell tower dates back to the original construction in the 12th century.

Four Corners This marks the heart of Palermo’s city center. Each of the four corners is designated by a building façade designed by Guillo Lasso. The architecture is primarily Baroque, defined by the sculptures on the exterior with illustrations on the themes of kings, seasons and patron saints. Four Corners, or Quattro Canti, is a good starting point for touring Palermo because it is walking distance from many of the city’s top attractions.

Pretoria Fountain Also referred to as the “Fountain of Shame,” this fountain was completed between 1554 and 1555 by the sculptor Francesco Camilliani. Its supreme location is in the center of the Piazza Pretoria, Palermo’s most attractive square. When it was first presented to the public, they were outraged because its artistic ornamentations contain sensual themes with sculptures of nude nymphs and gods, along with animal heads and beasts.

Medieval Norman cathedral of Monreale This cathedral was commissioned by the Norman King William II. Construction lasted from 1174 to 1182, which is quite a feat for its massive size. Its impressive interior mosaics are made of 4,850 pounds (2,200 kg) of pure gold.

Agrigento

Initially founded by the Greek colonies in 580 BC, Agrigento is well known for its magnificent cluster of Greek ruins called the Valley of the Temples. This medieval city is in its prime in the spring, particularly during April, when the temperature is less scorching and the wildflowers are in full bloom.

Valley of the Temples The valley is a stunning sight with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea from its elevated location. Set along a steep plateau, these ruined temples made up the ancient city of Akragas. The 6th-century remains include temples to the following gods: Hera Lacinia, Concordia, Heracles, Olympian Zeus, Castor and Pollux, Hephaistos and Asklepius, the god of medicine. All the temples were constructed facing east to flood them with the light of the rising sun. The site is surrounded by olive and almond trees, which enhance its natural beauty.

Syracuse

Piazza Armerina Syracuse began as a market town in the 1300s. In the Middle Ages, Piazza Armerina acted as a prominent political and commercial center. It is most popular sight is its Roman villa, but equally beautiful attractions include the Duomo, or cathedral, and the Castello Aragonese, its medieval castle.

The Archaeological Museum The Museum is noted for its modern architectural design that stands in contrast to its archaic contents. Its collections contain artifacts acquired from ancient Sicilian ruins of Roman, Greek and early Christian colonies. The museum is laid out in three sections: Section A houses prehistoric exhibits, Section B focuses on Greek colonization, and Section C is devoted to Eastern Sicily’s Hellenistic and sub-colonies.

Syracuse’s Archaeological Park Considered the crown jewel of Sicily, within the park’s borders ancient treasures abound. Visit the 2,500-year-old Greek amphitheater, the most complete ruin of its kind. Then, tour the massive Paradise Quarry and gardens that feature the cave that Italian Baroque master, Caravaggio, dubbed “The Ear of Dionysius” for its unique acoustics.

Island of Ortygia Connected to Syracuse by several walkable bridges, this island makes up the old city center of Syracuse. Once ruled by Greek colonies, Ortygia matched Athens in importance. While its main attractions are the ancient ruins that cover its grounds, it also has interesting, narrow streets with boutiques and craft shops to explore. Take some time to relax in the beautiful square, Piazzo del Duomo, and visit the Spring of Arethusa.

Taormina

Mount Etna Reaching 3,350 meters into the sky, Mount Etna is not only Sicily’s highest mountain but also the tallest active volcano in Europe. Its mass was created by the lava flow from previous eruptions that occurred over many centuries. It is estimated that more than 1,200 square meters of its surface is lava rock. Due to its many smaller peaks and caverns, the precise location of Mount Etna’s next possible eruption cannot be determined. There are activities for every season here, including hiking trails in the summer and skiing in the winter.

Greek Theater This fascinating archaic theater was built in the 3rd century BC. Interestingly enough, it was constructed with such amazing acoustics that it is still used today for performances. Residing at the top of a hill, it is the perfect place for a stunning picture of Mount Etna and the Mediterranean Sea.

Tindari Originally founded in 396 BC by the Tyndaris Greeks, it was conquered by both the Carthaginians and the Arabs. Due to its tremendous ancient history, the city is home to many archaeological ruins. Among these is Villa Patti, the royal Roman villa built around an interior courtyard surrounded by columns, called a peristyle.

Rome

Colosseum The Roman Colosseum is a tremendous amphitheater, the embodiment of both the grandeur and cruelty of the Roman Empire. Capable of seating 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum hosted spectacular games that included gladiator exhibitions, fights between animals, prisoner executions and—strangely enough—naval battles.

Roman Forum Towering Ionic columns stretch proud and fragmented into the Italian sky and ancient porticoes stand guard over the empty shells of buildings that were once the centers of commerce, justice and worship for the city.

Pantheon Of all the great buildings constructed during the crest of the Roman Empire, only this one still stands. Pantheon history states that the interior of the roof is intended to symbolize the heavens, and the giant hole above is supposedly the eye of the gods.

Trevi Fountain The Trevi Fountain dominates a small square in the heart of the city near the Spanish Steps. The fountain entered pop culture thanks to the nighttime bathing scene in the film "La Dolce Vita" by Fellini, or for many Americans, the popular 1954 film “Three Coins in A Fountain.” This huge Baroque construction, inspired by sea mythology, took 30 years to build.

The Sistine Chapel The piece de resistance of the Vatican museum, the Sistine Chapel is the culmination of Michelangelo's finest work. Frescos detailing the life and times of both Jesus and Moses line the walls beneath the benevolent portraits of former popes.

The Vatican Museum Deep in the holy center of Vatican City, the Vatican Museum houses an enormous collection of art gathered through its centuries of history, from Egyptian pieces to Etruscan ruins to Renaissance paintings and, of course, the legendary Sistine Chapel. Of all of the museums, not just in Italy but the world over, this one is not to be missed.