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.

Monastero di San Benedetto, Noto

Benedictine sisters welcome you to their 17th-century monastery. Rooms are modern, large and clean, and most have baths. A 10:30pm curfew.
Mondello

This fishing village became a fashionable resort in the 19th century (see Mondello).
Mondello

This is Palermo’s backyard. It is crowded with seaside villas of Palermo’s aristocracy and locals of all walks of life taking advantage of the beach, bars, gelaterie , restaurants and clubs. For swimming, nature and tranquillity this may not be the best beach in Sicily, but it’s high on the list for those who want to participate in the scene.
Monreale

On this royal hill (mons reale ) Sicily’s Norman king, William II, built the mosaic-encrusted monastery and cathedral that proved to be the last and most splendid of the island’s Norman monuments (see Monreale).
Monreale

The last and most spectacular of the Norman monuments, the mosaic cycle at Monreale Cathedral is one of the wonders of the medieval world (see Monreale).
Monreale

The monastery and Church of the Assumption were founded by William II in 1174. His tomb, along with the tombs of his family members including his father and mother, King William I and Queen Margaret, are located in the transept (see Monreale).
Morgantina

Morgantina was settled first by the Italic Morganti people, then by the Greeks in the 6th century BC, then the Romans, but it was only excavated in 1955. The extensive, well preserved site comprises a split-level agora (forum) connected by a 14-step staircase that served as the site of town meetings, the macellum (covered market), a gymnasium, a public fountain with a double basin, large black lava millstones, residences with mosaic flooring, a 1,000-seat theatre, an enormous public granary and kilns for firing terracotta. The larger of the two kilns was also used for firing construction materials.
Morgantina

Morgantina was an important commercial centre along the trade route from the north coast of Sicily and the Aeolian Islands to the south, and extensive ancient remains have recently been excavated here. Deep in Sicani and Sicel territory, the city flourished during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, and most of the ruins date from that time (see Morgantina).
Mostra dei Formaggi della Valle del Belice e Sagra della Ricotta, Poggioreale

Watch ricotta made in traditional and modern methods.
Motya

This archaeological park occupies an entire island in Lo Stagnone, the lagoon north of Marsala, where the 8th-century BC Phoenician and later Carthaginian city thrived. Dionysus I of Syracuse destroyed Motya (Mozia in Italian) in 398 BC, leaving ruins of intricate fortifications, docks, homes decorated with mosaic flooring, and other structures. The extensive archaeological collections of the Museo Whitaker (former home of the English Marsala-producing family) are displayed as Whitaker intended – the highlight is the outstanding Greek marble statue of a youth in a diaphanous pleated tunic (c.440 BC).

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