Visit My-Sicily.com for Sicily Hotels, Holidays and Car Hire.

As elsewhere in the Roman Empire, the Romans were replaced by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths, who demolished far more than they built (one rare example is the villa of Piazza Armerina) and were swept away by the Byzantines. Calendar of events in Catania The Arabs who followed them moved the capitol from Siracusa to Palermo, renamed most of the existing towns, and planted the first carobs, date-palms, citrus trees, jasmines and melons. Cheap flats in Palermo. The Normans took over in 1061. Cheap flats in Palermo They tore down almost all signs of Arab culture. Information about Capo D Orlando They brought the island to a new level of prosperity and planted a different kind of seed, still visible today in the blonde and red tresses of many Sicilians. Cheap flats in Palermo. It is to the Normans that we owe the most spectacular of Sicily's architectural treasures. Discount hotels Pozzallo From the cathedrals of Cefalù, Messina and Monreale to Palermo's Zisa and Cuba, the churches of San Giovanni degli Eremiti, San Cataldo and the Martorana. Under the realm of Frederick II, the Swabian king, Sicily became one of the centers of the Western world, and perhaps it is not surprising that the principal architectural endeavors of this era. These lasted only from 1220 to 1250, were of a military nature, such as the castles in Siracusa, Catania and Salemi. Cheap flats in Palermo. When Frederick died in 1250, his successor Manfred was murdered by the ruthless Charles of Anjou, whose French allies streamed into the island and established a new aristocracy so despised that it led to the popular uprising called the Sicilian Vespers. Giardini Naxos photos Eventually, in 1302, the French gave way to the Aragonese (part of the same dynasty which sponsored Christopher Columbus), who dominated until 1734. Cheap flats in Palermo. The aristocracy created during this realm left their magnificent homes, such as Palermo's Palazzo Sclafani and Palazzo Chiaramonte, scattered all over the island. Discount accommodation Eolie Aeolian Islands The Aragonese clergy, while wielding the heavy arm of the Inquisition, effectively conspired to keep almost all artistic traces of the Renaissance out of the island.

Begin your Sicilian odyssey in its capital city - Palermo. Cheap flats in Palermo Spectacularly situated along a wide sweep of bay at the foot of Monte Pellegrino, Palermo was the wealthiest and most magnificent city in Europe in the 12th century. Calendar of events in Agrigento Today Palermo has an air of faded grandeur and an unrivalled display of Norman art and architecture and Baroque churches. Cheap flats in Palermo. Stroll along the Via Roma and Via Maqueda in the heart of the old town and get a sense of what Palermo is all about. Messina Accommodation Don’t miss the magnificent 12th century Norman cathedral at Monreale, 8 kilometres southwest of the city. Cheap hostels in Sicily The inside of the cathedral is covered in breathtakingly glittering mosaics.

From early times Sicily has been coveted for its fertile land and today Sicily still has a largely agricultural based economy. Cheap flats in Palermo. Its main products include wheat (hard wheat from Enna for bread and pasta), barley, corn, peppers, tomatoes, aubergines, courgettes, potatoes, grapes, figs, pears, peaches, La Ficurinnia or the fig of India (from the West Indies) and citrus fruits and almonds (introduced by the Arabs). Cheap flats in Palermo A sweet liquid called "manna" is produced in Castelbuono and Pollina. Discount hotels Eolie Aeolian Islands This is collected from a species of Ash tree. It solidifies and is used in cakes and sweets. Cheap flats in Palermo. Dairy produce includes a number of cheeses such as Ricotta, Pecorino Siciliano and Caciocavallo Ragusano. Discount hotels Catania The Sicilian fishing industry provides tuna, swordfish, sea bream, sardines, octopus, squid, prawns and mussels. Other industries include wine (for example, Donna Fugata, Regaleali, Malvasia and sweet Marsala), balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, bottled water (from Geraci), salt and other food processing. Milazzo Map Sulphur mines in Caltanissetta have traditionally played a part in the Sicilian economy. Today chemicals and refined petroleum are modern Sicilian industries. Cheap flats in Palermo. The growth of transport companies and the modernisation of Sicily's road system have been essential to Sicily's industrial development. Cheap flats in Lampedusa Chief Sicilian ports are Catania, Messina and Palermo.

Self catering accommodation Trapani
Siracusa Syracuse Hotels
Siracusa Syracuse Holiday Accommodation
Farmhouses in Catania
Marsala Accomodation