DK Travel : Sicily

The island of Sicily is Italy’s largest region and is also its most varied. In terms of geography, there are offshore islands, endless coastline, rugged mountains, rolling wheatfields and volcanos, but its history and architecture are also of note. Sicily formed a significant portion of the Greek empire, was strategically vital to Rome, and was invaded in succession by the Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, French, Spanish and Bourbons, before unifying with Italy. Each conquest left its mark, to create a palimpsest of cultures on the island.

Galleria Regionale di Sicilia, Palazzo Abatellis, Palermo

The Catalan-Gothic palace was built at the end of the 15th century and is now home to the collections of the former National Museum. Paintings and sculpture by Sicilian masters span the 13th to 16th centuries, complemented by fine works by Italian and Flemish artists (see Palazzo Abatellis).
Gargantua, Modica

Only five tables in a barrel-vaulted space in old Modica, where the chef prepares local, seasonal foods.
Gelateria Stancampiano, Palermo

This unassuming family-owned shop has the most excessively creamy gelato in Sicily. The bow-tied staff proudly offer rows and rows of traditional and seasonal flavours served up in cones, cups and brioches. In summer it is open 24 hours a day.
Gelato

What makes Sicilian ice cream (gelato ) so special is its base: a crema developed from Arab and Spanish culinary influences made with milk, or almond milk, and starch. It produces a rich, smooth and light dessert (see Northeast Sicily).
Gelato

Try soft and creamy ice cream, zabaglione, semi-freddo , or the solid pezzo duro .
Giacomo Serpotta

The Palermo-born artist (1656–1732) decorated Baroque interiors, creating an aesthetic transition between architecture and paintings by covering all available space with figures and scenes modelled in stucco.
Giardini-Naxos

As the first Greek colony on Sicily and the site of the altar of Apollo Archegetes, protector god of all Greek settlements on the island, Naxos shouldn’t be missed. Although the city was quickly surpassed by other colonies in wealth and power, it retained religious importance until it was destroyed by Syracuse in 403 BC. Its remaining inhabitants settled in nearby Taormina. The excavations of the ancient ruins can be seen on the headland (see Giardini-Naxos).
Giardini-Naxos

According to ancient historians Naxos was founded in 734 BC after a ship was blown off course as it sailed to southern Italy, and it became the first Greek settlement in Sicily. Naxos never became a powerhouse but was mother city to successive colonies and the setting off point for messengers carrying news back to Greece. The ruins, defensive walls and parts of a temple are enclosed within a nicely kept park. A small museum houses finds from the Greek site, as well as finds recovered from shipwrecks.
Giarratana

This tiny town in the middle of the Monte Iblei has narrow streets lined with palaces, churches and residences. Note the typical homes, with low doors, to protect against cold winter winds.
Giorno della Civetta

A 1968 Mafia murder thriller adapted from Sciascia’s novel The Day of the Owl .

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