May 5-9, 2015:
We did a counterclockwise tour of this island, starting at Palermo and ending at Taormina.
PALERMO:
Driving in Palermo:
We quickly learned not to drive to Palermo (characterized as the “worst place to drive in Europe”.) Not only did Palermo drivers not obey traffic signs/signals, they triple parked and drove on the sidewalks. Fortunately most of the sights we wanted to see were within walking distance of our downtown accommodation.
It didn’t help that our GPS didn’t work right in Palermo (having us turn the wrong way on some one-way streets).
Driving in Palermo – Photos: Reddit.com
Bed & Breakfast, Palermo:
Our place in Palermo was nice, once we got the parking figured out…
Bed & Breakfast, Palermo
San Cataldo Church:
The Church of San Cataldo is a Catholic church located at Piazza Bellini, in central Palermo, Sicily, Italy. Erected in 1154 as a notable example of the Arab-Norman architecture which flourished in Sicily under Norman rule on the island, the church is annexed to that of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio.
San Cataldo Church
Church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio (Church of St. Mary of the Admiral):
The Church of St. Mary of the Admiral, also called Martorana, is the seat of the Parish of San Nicolò dei Greci, overlooking the Piazza Bellini, next to the Norman church of San Cataldo and facing the Baroque church of Santa Caterina.
Church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio (Church of St. Mary of the Admiral)
Pretoria Fountain (Fountain of Shame):
Here in Sicily, people call this the Fountain of Shame because of the nude statues.
Pretoria Fountain (Fountain of Shame)
Palermo Cathedral (Cathedrale):
The Cathedral of Palermo is one of the most important architectural monuments in Sicily. It was built in 1184 by the Normans on a Muslim Mosque. It is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
Palermo Cathedral (Cathedrale)
Crypt, 7th Century Church:
Under the Palermo Cathedral…
Crypt, 7th Century Church
Archbishop’s Palace-Museum:
This museum in Palermo is housed in some rooms of the Archbishop’s Palace (the Palazzo Arcivescovile). The museum was founded in 1927 by Archbishop Alessandro Lualdi.
Archbishop’s Palace-Museum
Norman Capella Palatina:
Private royal chapel of Roger II. Roger II or Roger the Great was King of Sicily and Africa, son of Roger I of Sicily and successor to his brother Simon. He began his rule as Count of Sicily in 1105, became Duke of Apulia and Calabria in 1127, then King of Sicily in 1130 and King of Africa in 1148.
Norman Capella Palatina
Walking around Palermo:
As we said above, we didn’t drive in Palermo (for obvious reasons) – so walking was our best alternative…
Walking around Palermo
MONREALE:
Monreale is a town and comune in the Metropolitan City of Palermo, located on the slope of Monte Caputo, overlooking the very fertile valley called “La Conca d’oro”, a production area of orange, olive and almond trees, the produce of which is exported in large quantities.
Monreale Cathedral:
One of the greatest existent examples of Norman architecture, it was begun in 1174 by William II of Sicily.
Monreale Cathedral
Benedictine Cloister at Monreale (Chiostro del Benedettini):
The Benedictine Cloister at Monreale (Chiostro dei Benedettini) was completed c. 1200.
Benedictine Cloister at Monreale (Chiostro del Benedettini)
AGRIGENTO:
Agrigento is a hilltop city on Sicily’s southwest shore. It’s known for the ruins of the ancient city of Akragas in the Valley of the Temples, a vast archaeological site with well-preserved Greek temples.
Bed & Breakfast, Agrigento:
It was nice to stay in Agrigento, away from the crowds of Palermo.
Agrigento Bed & Breakfast
Valley of the Temples, Agrigento:
The Valle dei Templi, or Valley of the Temples, is an archaeological site in Agrigento, Sicily. It is one of the most outstanding examples of ancient Greek art and architecture of Magna Graecia.
Valley of the Temples
SYRACUSE:
The city was founded by Ancient Greek Corinthians and Teneans and became a very powerful city-state. Syracuse was allied with Sparta and Corinth and exerted influence over the entirety of Magna Graecia, of which it was the most important city. Described by Cicero as “the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all”, it equaled Athens in size during the fifth century BC.
Neopolis Archaeological Park, Syracuse:
Landmark, vast natural park featuring an ancient Greek theater, church, caves & other Roman relics.
Neopolis Archaeological Park
Walking around Syracuse:
We followed a self-guided walking tour of Syracuse…
Self-guided walking tour of Syracuse
Churches in Syracuse:
Churches in Syracuse
NOTO:
Destroyed by an earthquake in 1692, the city was rebuilt in Baroque style.
Noto
Noto Churches
Villa del Terraro, Caddeddi:
This villa, built c. AD 320/330, 5 km south of the wonderful baroque town of Noto, is a rich Roman villa. It was constructed in the 4th century and boasts fine mosaics.
Mosaics – Villa del Terraro, Caddeddi
Nature Reserve of Vendicari:
South of Noto…
Nature Reserve of Vendicari
CATANIA:
Catania is an ancient port city on Sicily’s east coast. It sits at the foot of Mt. Etna, an active volcano with trails leading up to the summit.
On the way to Taormina, we stopped here for dinner at La Barraca along a Mediterranean beach.
Dinner at La Barraca, Catania
TAORMINA:
Taormina is a hilltop town on the east coast of Sicily. It sits near Mount Etna, an active volcano with trails leading to the summit. The town is known for the Teatro Antico di Taormina, an ancient Greco-ÂRoman theater still used today. Near the theater, cliffs drop to the sea forming coves with sandy beaches.
Teatro Antico di Taormina (Ancient Theater of Taormina):
The Greco-Roman Theatre of Taormina is the second largest theater of Sicily, after the one in Syracuse.
Teatro Antico di Taormina (Ancient Theater of Taormina)
Public Gardens, Taormina:
In the Public Gardens, is the Villa Comunale which is also known as Parco Duca Di Cesarò.
Public Gardens, Taormina
Taormina Churches and Duomo:
Taormina has a variety of churches and a Duomo (Cathedral).
Churches and Duomo, Taormina
Walking around Taormina:
We did a self-guided walk of Taormina…
Self-guided walking tour of Taormina
Shopping in Taormina:
Nancy enjoyed the shopping in Taormina…
Shopping in Taormina
Flight Cancellation – Rome Airport Terminal Fire:
Our next destination was Athens, Greece. However, we found out on the day of our plane trip that our flight there was cancelled (due to a fire in Terminal Three of the International Terminal for the Rome, Italy airport). It cost us some money ($700 each) but we were able to secure replacement tickets to Athens on another airline.
Flight cancellations due to Rome Terminal fire
Article about Rome Terminal fire