Sicily, the largest of the Mediterranean islands, lies between southern Italy and North Africa. Cheap Sicily Hotels The island can be seen as a "stepping stone" between Europe and Africa. Lipari Map. 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. Lipari Map 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. Lipari Map. The island is divided into nine provinces: Agrigento, Caltanissetta, Catania, Enna, Messina, Palermo, Ragusa, Siracusa and Trapani. Self catering accommodation Sant Agata Militello Throughout history islands have been invaded by foreign powers. Cheap Erice Hotels 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.  

Ironically, the earthquake that devastated the southeastern provinces in 1693 became the springboard for Sicily's most glorious period, the baroque. Taormina Holiday Flats It gleams in the cities and towns of Palermo, Catania, Siracusa, Ragusa, Noto, Comiso, Scicli and dozens more, all of which had to be rebuilt from the ground up. Siracusa Syracuse Bed and Breakfast After the Aragonese, Sicily passed briefly into the hands of the Austrians, to be willingly rescued in 1734 by the Bourbons of Spain, whose throne was actually located in Naples. Lipari Map. During one forced exile in Palermo, the Bourbon king Ferdinand's wife Maria Carolina (sister of Marie Antoinette) built La Favorita. , A magnificent refuge in which to hide from the subjects she thoroughly loathed. Diving Centres Dive Sites and Schools Campo Bello di Mazara Sicily remained in Bourbon hands until 1861, when unification created the Kingdom of Italy.

Mt Etna, the largest volcano in Europe and one of the most active in the world, lies south of Taormina. Nebrodi Map You are permitted to climb up to 2900m. Lipari Map. A rope marks the spot where the volcano’s unpredictability makes it unsafe to go any further. Further south, the town of Syracuse was once a very powerful Greek city. Cefalu Tours and Excursions Check out the medieval buildings on the island of Ortigia which lies in the centre of town. Don’t miss the 5th century Teatro Greco – a masterpiece hewn out of rock with a seating capacity for 16,000 people. Agrigento Accommodation The five Doric temples in the town of Agrigento are also well worth a visit. They are the most well preserved of Sicily’s Greek ruins and are truly spectacular.

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