Sicily, the largest of the Mediterranean islands, lies between southern Italy and North Africa. Catania Accomodation The island can be seen as a "stepping stone" between Europe and Africa. Diving Centres Dive Sites and Schools Nebrodi. A beautiful, mountainous island, Sicily has been occupied by a series of migrants and invaders. These include the Greeks, Cathaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Angevins and Spaniards. In 1861 Sicily became part of Italy when Garibaldi united the Kingdom of Italy and the island. Diving Centres Dive Sites and Schools Nebrodi Eighty-five years later Sicily achieved "relative independence". This means that although Sicily belongs to Italy it is responsible for much of its own local affairs. Diving Centres Dive Sites and Schools Nebrodi. The island is divided into nine provinces: Agrigento, Caltanissetta, Catania, Enna, Messina, Palermo, Ragusa, Siracusa and Trapani. Car Hire Acireale Throughout history islands have been invaded by foreign powers. Discount cheap lodging Panarea However, Sicily's rugged terrain has provided its people with a degree of protection as many of its towns and villages are high in the mountains.  

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. Cheap Campo Bello di Mazara Hotels 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. Diving Centres Dive Sites and Schools Nebrodi. The Normans took over in 1061. Diving Centres Dive Sites and Schools Nebrodi They tore down almost all signs of Arab culture. Campo Bello di Mazara Accomodation 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. Diving Centres Dive Sites and Schools Nebrodi. It is to the Normans that we owe the most spectacular of Sicily's architectural treasures. Cheap hostels in Ragusa 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. Diving Centres Dive Sites and Schools Nebrodi. 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. Sant Agata Militello apartments Eventually, in 1302, the French gave way to the Aragonese (part of the same dynasty which sponsored Christopher Columbus), who dominated until 1734. Diving Centres Dive Sites and Schools Nebrodi. The aristocracy created during this realm left their magnificent homes, such as Palermo's Palazzo Sclafani and Palazzo Chiaramonte, scattered all over the island. Tourist attractions in Giarre 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.

For touring the island can be roughly divided into the north-shore and south-shore areas. Hostels in Licata The north shore has reefs, olive groves, secluded coves and countless seaside resorts including Cefalu, a gorgeous Arab-Norman city with good beaches. Diving Centres Dive Sites and Schools Nebrodi. West of center of the north coast is Palermo the ancient capital and the island’s largest city. Be sure to visit the central market and 12th-century Monreale Cathedral which is 6 mi/8 km west of town (it has impressive biblical mosaics). Cheap hostels in Erice About 50 mi/80 km west of Palermo lies the ancient village of Erice atop a mountain: It still has remains of a temple dedicated to Venus. Diving Centres Dive Sites and Schools Nebrodi. The southern coast has an even milder climate so there’s swimming most of the year (although it can get cold there between November and March). Tourist attractions in Trapani

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