The island of Sicily has a long history. The Sicilian history spans more than 27 centuries, since 5th BC. The top 5 things to see in Sicily include natural and man-made sights. You can visit the major cities of Catania, Taormina, and Palermo for exceptional ruins, beaches, and cuisine. Sicily’s landscape was shaped by 27 centuries of invaders, eruptions of Mount Etna that produced great wine, and architecture left behind by both.
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The Cathedral of Catania
One of the top 5 things to see in Sicily is located in Catania’s old town. And the Piazza Del Duomo is located in the center of it all. The cathedral has a long history. It was originally constructed in 1078 atop the ruins of some Roman Baths. however, due to earthquakes in the region, it has been restored a few times.
The front façade features a grey stone design. A series of ornate statues depicting religious figures and a large domed basilica sits at the back of the main aisle. There are also beautiful frescos at the main altar, decorative artwork and paintings. The tomb was carved by Bellini. You can see the blending of styles in the Greek scrolling, Roman reliefs, and Baroque columns.
It is located in the same piazza as the Elephant Obelisk, fountain, and many other beautiful pieces of architecture.
The Valley of the Temples
Sicily has some of the best-preserved ancient Greek temples in the world. Yes, even better than those in Greece or Rome. Consequently, the city of Agrigento is definitely in the top 5 Sicily sights– founded by the Greeks in the 6th century B.C.
It’s cool to see modern-day Agrigento loom above it from just about anywhere in the park. The archaeological park is the largest in the world. I paid 15 Euro to visit the temples, gardens, and museum. My 15-year-old grandson, Kamren, was free.
It takes approximately an hour to walk the entire park. Grab a map and/or an audio guide at the entrance to help you navigate the park. It will also help you understand exactly what you see, as some temple ruins are in better shape than others.
Villa Romana del Casale
Piazza Armerina
The town of Piazza is very old. But people became a popular historical site when a very refined mosaic floor was discovered. Honestly, I was expecting to be blown away, but I was. We arrived on an afternoon when the light cast a magical glow over the city.
Taormina
Alas, Taormina gets pretty busy with tourists. The community garden in Taormina, Sicily, is a public park where locals and visitors can find a little shade, take a break from the crowds with loved ones, and enjoy the ocean breezes and blue-green water below.
There are many interesting structures, statues, trees, and fountains with benches to sit and take it all in. Unfortunately, parking in that area is also limited so consider adding it to your evening stroll.
Teatro Antico di Taormina
Setting the Stage A Greek Tragedy
Many of the sights in Sicily are ancient. The dramatic venue set the stage for musical and theatrical performances. The Teatro Antico di Taormina, a Greek theatre, was built in the 3rd century BC.And Mount Etna looms in the background. However, experts believe Romans actually built it, as it features brick construction rather than stone, despite its Greek style.
I sat down under the burning sun. Surrounded on three sides by the sea to contemplate the efforts in building, let alone attending a show centuries ago.
Mount Etna
You can only see Sicily with a visit to Mt Etna. The lava and smoke make quite the first impression when flying into Sicily. Hence, it’s just a little unsettling to be living at the base of the largest active volcano in Europe. As a result, Mount Etna has devastated Catania more than once over the city’s centuries-old existence. Therefore, most of Catania’s architecture is Baroque. In addition, many parts of the island still have Greek and Roman architectural remnants. The last eruption was way back in March. So it’s a real consideration.
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