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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. Booking Hotels Trapani 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. Places of interest in Catania. The Normans took over in 1061. Places of interest in Catania They tore down almost all signs of Arab culture. Farmhouses in Licata 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. Places of interest in Catania. It is to the Normans that we owe the most spectacular of Sicily's architectural treasures. Sant Agata Militello Tours and Excursions 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. Places of interest in Catania. 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. Car Hire Acitrezza Eventually, in 1302, the French gave way to the Aragonese (part of the same dynasty which sponsored Christopher Columbus), who dominated until 1734. Places of interest in Catania. The aristocracy created during this realm left their magnificent homes, such as Palermo's Palazzo Sclafani and Palazzo Chiaramonte, scattered all over the island. Solunto apartments 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.

Over the centuries the Sicilians have valued a close family life with all its responsibilities. Places of interest in Catania. In turn the Sicilian people have looked to themselves in the face of foreign occupation and imposed government. Discount hotels Nebrodi Partly in response to invasion and colonisation a purely Sicilian hierarchy emerged. Places of interest in Catania This became known as the Sicilian Mafia organised upon what can roughly be translated as "respect", "dignity" and "silence".

Sicily, the largest of the Mediterranean islands, lies between southern Italy and North Africa. Noto Hotels The island can be seen as a "stepping stone" between Europe and Africa. Places of interest in Catania. 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. Places of interest in Catania 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. Places of interest in Catania. The island is divided into nine provinces: Agrigento, Caltanissetta, Catania, Enna, Messina, Palermo, Ragusa, Siracusa and Trapani. Solunto villas Throughout history islands have been invaded by foreign powers. Car Hire Licata 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.

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