SICILIA OCCIDENTALE E ISOLE EOLIE

Palermo

First city in the Greek and roman, then arab capital, conquered by the normans and the swabians, this is Palermo, a place where there is the precious arabesque-norman, baroque and art nouveau monuments, palaces and theaters, but also of the gardens and markets. Palermo, Cattedral the influence of the past multi-ethnic Palermo is visible in the Cathedral, a majestic building started in the TWELFTH century. and rebuilt several times, embellished by a dome of the eighteenth century, and a medieval tower. Born on a basilica pre-existing, converted into a mosque by the arabs and then returned by the normans in the christian religion, the cathedral is adorned with gothic decorations and houses the relics of Santa Rosalia, patron saint of the city. There are also the tombs of the emperors, including Roger II and Frederick II. Close by is the Palazzo dei Normanni, originally the building of the arab, always the seat of power: it contains the Palatine chapel, rich in mosaics of byzantine influence, which, together with those of the church of Santa Maria of the Admiral or Martorana), are real masterpieces of art. The elegant Martorana, with its high bell tower and arches, dates back to norman times, while the monumental fontana Pretoria, which occupies the nearby square of the same name is of the baroque style. The road that goes from the cathedral, the Martorana pass through piazza Vigliena, known as the “Four corners”, an intersection decorated by statues and fountains of the Seventeenth century. On the square of Pretoria, overlooking the seventeenth-century town Hall, with a splendid fountain of the Sixteenth century consists of more than 644 marble groups. It is in this area that the roads leading names in Italian, Arabic, and Hebrew. From here, moreover, it descends towards the sea, passing through the Vuccirìa, the oldest market and bustling of the city, in piazza San Domenico, where rises the homonymous church, one of the most interesting baroque buildings and citizens.Another building of the norman era is the deconsecrated church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti with the red domes and oriental patterns, built on the foundations of an ancient mosque. In the ancient heart of the city is the imposing building of the fourteenth-century said Steri (from hosterium, fortified palace), formerly a prison and courthouse, now the seat of the rectorate of the university. Near here are situated the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, and Palazzo Abatellis, home of the regional Gallery, which houses works of art and paintings ranging from the middle ages to the ‘700. The more modern part of Palermo is on the other side of the city. Overcoming the neo-classical Teatro Massimo, the temple of opera, in the piazza Politeama you can see the other town's theatre, Teatro Politeama Garibaldi, built in the mid Nineteenth century in the pompeian style.Attractive town is the quaint Puppet Theatre, puppet theatre, in which the protagonists are, and always have Charlemagne and his paladins. Along Liberty street, shaded by trees, you enter the area dominated by the eighteenth-century architecture and art nouveau, whose splendid symbols are the ways the square and animated. The botanical Garden, founded in 1789, is famous for specimens from all over the world.
The most distant from the centre are, instead, the Zisa (on the piazza of the same name), and Cuba (in corso Calatafimi), constructions, oriental, dating back to the reign of William II.

Monreale
In the province of Palermo, Monreale, is one of the cathedrals the most beautiful of the sicilian island. It was built in 1174 by William II d'altavilla, on the steep sides of mount Caputo to dominate the whole of the conca d'oro.The Cathedral has a grand façade with a portico with three lights and two large fortified towers, one of which, the one on the right, has been transformed into a bell tower. In addition to the towers, and the façade also features bronze doors of the highest value, one of which is of 1185, the work of Bonanno Pisano.

Taormina

A few steps from the strait that separates Sicily from the Italian peninsula, on a natural terrace which looks out towards the Ionian sea, stands the splendid city of Taormina, the ancient Tauromenion.With its medieval village, its ancient Greek soul, the colors and scents of the mediterranean vegetation, Taormina is one of the places to visit most beautiful in the world. And the climate of Sicily makes it an ideal destination any time of the year.You can't not be fascinated by the immense beauty of this place, as it did to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, when in his travels in Italy he visited the Greek theatre (III.C), the symbol of the city. Nestled among cypress trees and plants of prickly pears, with the cavea dug into the rock, the Greek theater of Taormina, transformed into an arena by the romans, offers a spectacular view of the turquoise sea right on the coast of Calabria, the city of Syracuse and on the smoking peak of mount Etna.Lovers of art and history, will find at Taormina the ideal place to satiate your passion.Entering the city from the porta Messina, you will reach the medieval heart of Taormina.
Not far from the port, the palazzo Corvaia and the seventeenth-century church of San Pancrazio, which stands on the ruins of a Greek temple. To visit, nearby, also the cavea of the ancient Odeon and the nearby church of Santa Caterina d'alessandria.Nearby, the road widens into piazza IX aprile, the terrace where you can enjoy a wide view, while the door Half open in seventeenth-century Clock tower, leads into the medieval district of Taormina, with its characteristic buildings with ornaments and architectural elements of the romanesque and the gothic.Instead date back to the norman era, the massive palazzo defensive of the dukes of Santo Stefano, with gothic elements, the arabs and the normans, and the Old Abbey.Not only history, Taormina is also characterised by a luxuriant nature as the one of the public gardens of Villa Comunale.

Lipari

Lipari is part of it, exactly as Panarea, Stromboli and Vulcano, in the archipelago of the Aeolian Islands.That is the goal of your holidays, or simply the stage of your journey travelling in Sicily, Lipari deserve to take a bit of time. This island, in fact, is a fair compromise between those who want comfort, thanks to the hotel equipped with services and amenities, natural beauty, thanks to the magnificent landscapes to the beautiful beaches, and fun. In fact in Lipari, you can also find local restaurants where you can spend carefree hours, once you leave the beach. Lipari is the largest island in the archipelago of the Aeolian islands, and certainly will not miss the services. But let's talk about the beaches, the real reason that attracted us to Travelgram here in Lipari.Those that we want to recommend are the beach of Praia di Vinci, sandy with some pebble, in its waters crystalline you practice, it is often snorkeling, the beach of Canneto, set like a precious stone within a bay lambida from the crystal-clear sea, the beach of Acquacalda, located in the village of Lipari, which is really a beach postcard. Here you can find the cave, and a wild nature that we are sure will not fail to impress.And then again the beach Papesca, with the ruins of the mine infrastructures, the beach of Porticello, and the beach of Valle Muria.Last, we point out the White Beach, according to many the most beautiful of the island of Lipari. Here the seabed is composed of sediments of pumice and the sea has a turquoise color. The landscape is then characterized by the old docks, which were once used for the transport of goods extracts.The beaches are both free and equipped with sun loungers and parasols.

Volcano

The Aeolian islands are one of the 53 Italian sites added to the Unesco World Heritage List in the section relating to natural heritage.The archipelago of the Aeolian Islands in Sicily consists of seven beautiful islands - Lipari, Panarea, Vulcano, Stromboli, Salina, Alicudi and Filicudi - and some islets and reefs from a clear blue sea. The archipelago, characterized by a wild and unspoiled nature, it also includes two active volcanoes, Stromboli and Vulcano, the goal every year tens of thousands of tourists. The main built-up area is represented by the municipality of Lipari. All belong to the province of Messina.According to Greek mythology Volcano were the forges of Hephaestus, god of fire and blacksmith. On the island you can observe the phenomena of volcanic fumaroles, steam jets is on the crest of that submarine, and sulphurous mud appreciated therapeutic properties.

Tindari

Tindari is a frazione of the comune of Patti, in the province of Messina. Extends on the gulf of Patti and it is a wonderful place where to spend unforgettable days.From prehistory to modern history, in a succession of landscapes of exceptional beauty.The city has ancient origins, was in fact founded in the year 396 a. C. by Dionysius of Syracuse. Initially Tindari was a colony of mercenaries who had taken part in the war against Carthage and took the name of Tyndaris, in honor of Tindaro, king of Sparta.In the years to follow was a very important naval base (first punic war) and in its waters the romans, led by consul Gaius Attilio Calatino, turned to flight the carthaginians (battle of Tindari 257.C.). Together with the city of Syracuse came under the dominion of the romans, and became the naval base of Sextus Pompey. In the 36 in. C. was taken by Augustus, who transformed it into a roman colony (one of five on the island of sicily). In the first century ad. C. a landslide destroyed the “noble " civic” (Cicero) and a few centuries later it was the turn of destructive earthquakes. In the 500 arrived, the byzantines made it the seat of the bishop and reigned till 836, the year in which they arrived, the arabs who destroyed it.After the destruction of the arab remained standing only the sanctuary dedicated to the Black Madonna of Tindari in the course of the years it was altered and enlarged. Tindari is a city in sicily, and as the island has undergone several dominations and different cultural influences and today show proud under the sun.Tindari hides many treasures. In the archaeological area are the ruins of the ancient city. The first excavations were carried out in the year 1838-1839 to be resumed in the 1960's and to follow. Between the land of Tindari were found mosaics, sculptures and ceramics which are now preserved in part in the Archaeological Museum of Palermo, and in part in the Museum localeQuesti finds, and the excavations that have been made, speak to us of the past of Tindari, of what was and of how he has lived the years during various invasions. The urban layout of the city dates back, probably, to the period of its foundation, and is a game of chess, with three main streets, one of which housed a theatre, and the agora (where now stands the shrine of the Black Madonna). Also interesting are the city walls that stretch for about three kilometres, and are now partly visible. Were rebuilt in the third century. C. on the walls earlier.The main door is on the south west side and was flanked by two towers. The ancient theater was built at the end of the fourth century and renovated in the roman era, with new decorations and various adaptations for the games of the amphitheatre. This theater was long abandoned and only rediscovered in the NINETEENTH century. The theatre is located next to a hill in which were carved out of the large steps that served as seats and could accommodate about three hundred people. During the roman period, it was added a porch and reconstructed the scene. The orchestra was transformed into an arena. From 1956, this theatre is held a festival with the diverse manifestations of dance, music and theatre. The romans, as well as the refurbishment of the theatre have also left a whole block with different houses and environments for the trade. The houses date back to The first century. C., even if, in the course of time have undergone several changes. The “Basilica” is a two-storey building of the IV century, that has a wide center passage with a barrel vault, divided into nine arches.