May 23

Photos of Sicily

13  comments

With my little sicilianuzza going back to the island this week, I thought I’d share some of my favorite photos of Sicily on the blog today. Most of these were taken in June/July of 2014, when she was just learning to crawl and uttering a few cryptic sounds that only her parents could decipher as the beginnings of a language (or two).

During that trip, we stayed for over a month, the first two weeks of which we spent making “un giro” of the island, traveling from Messina to Palermo to Trapani to Agrigento to Modica to Catania and then back to Messina. My Demetra has always been a trouper, and she loves to travel, see new places, and meet new people.

Now, if anything, her love of new experiences has only expanded. At just 2 1/2 she switches easily between the two languages, and enjoys engaging random strangers wherever she goes. My greatest joy is watching her discover the world.

But Sicily is place ripe for exploration no matter what your age. In Rome, the history is more or less “linear,” following the general European progression from the Roman Empire to the Middle Ages to the Renaissance to the Baroque to the Fascist/Post-War Era to the Modern.

In Sicily, it’s all over place. In some parts you feel like the Greeks never left, while in other areas you can read street signs in Arabic. Then there are the influences the Normans, the Spanish, and just about every other Mediterranean power that has passed through and left its mark. It’s in the food, the architecture, the language, and the DNA of the people themselves.

If you want to read about one of my encounters with Sicilians, check out this post, which eventually got published in a travel anthology.

Saints and Sea Monsters in Sicily

Photos of Sicily

Sicily is also a great place for pictures. I’m not a great photographer, but the diversity of landscapes and man-made wonders forces you to keep your camera (or at least your smartphone) always at the ready. Sometimes even a blind squirrel like me finds a nut once in a while.

Submitted for you enjoyment is my photo journal of Sicilia Bedda. I should note that many (OK,  probably most) of these photos were taken by Jessica. If you read Italian, check out her blog about life in the US from the perspective of an Italian.

And if you have any Sicily stories to share, please do not hesitate to leave a comment below.


Tags

history, photography, Sicily, writing


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  • Ciao from Castellammare del Golfo Rick! I’m here with a group right now. It doesn’t matter that I come to Sicily 3-4 times a year, it always inspires me with it’s endless cultural fascinations and environmental beauty.

    I’m curious to know what the name of the agriturismo is from photo 11. I’m always looking for great accommodations for my clients!

    Grazie!
    Allison Scola

  • Gorgeous shot of the statue and sunset. That’s not Syracuse, is it? What anthology did your Saints and Demons blog get in?

    John Henderson

    • Thanks, John. Yes, those are the Greek ruins right in the center of Ortiga, Siracusa. My story got published in an anthology called “Chance Encounters.”

  • Yes, I’m glad my late Italian hubby had the determination to show off his country the moment he went to pick me up from Indonesia so I could decide to live in Italy. Gratitude to him for taking me all over Sicily three times during his courtship to me and off we went to Messina, Catania, Cefalu (his family’s origin but born and raised in Milan where we lived), Trapani, Erice, Taormina (my favourite) and Palermo.

  • Great post and amazing photos. I cannot wait to see Sicily on my next trip to the south of Italy and the island my mother’s side of the family is from!

  • I just had a fantastic Sicilian trip and I can totally relate to all the travel bloggers now who were gushing about Sicily from the start. Great post and story, Rick! 🙂

  • Hi,
    Certainly enjoyed the story about the life of the woman whose shop you feel in (maybe fell for). Great story. Also enjoyed the pictures and know I have many of the same ones (minus the little cutie in one of yours).
    Have been to Sicily twice, once in 2007 and once years before that. On the first trip I remember we had a group that chose to walk from the bus or whatever we were riding on up Etna. I can remember starting near front of group but ended pretty much at the end. But I have the picture of the smoke coming out of the cone to prove I made it.

    • Joan, you’re more adventurous than me. I’ve circumnavigate the volcano a few times, but never have gone up to the top. It’s on the “bucket list,” though. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.

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