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Located in the south of Italy, Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Accessible in less than two hours from France, this Italian region is home to many sites of cultural interest. Various civilizations have left their mark on these monuments, reflecting their troubled history. Discover the cultural diversity of Sicily with Villanovo!
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A few kilometres from Palermo, in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, stands the Cathedral of Monreale. Built at the time of the Norman domination by King William II, it is one of the most important medieval monuments. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the cathedral reflects several architectural styles, Arab, Norman and Byzantine. This imposing building is richly decorated, with marble columns, facades covered with gold Byzantine mosaics and nature motifs. Its mosaics depict important events from the Bible and have made the cathedral famous. It is one of the most visited places in the region, so don't miss it!
Located in one of the most beautiful cities in Sicily, the Valley of the Temples is a must-see in the region. Perched on a hill, 7 temples stand facing the sea in the middle of the vegetation. Some of them are almost intact like the Temple of Concord, while others have been attacked and are only remains like the Temple of Zeus. Take a walk back in time through these historical monuments.
After this visit, do not hesitate to visit the small town of Agrigento!
Covering more than 270 hectares, this archaeological park is the largest in Europe. Overlooking the sea, all that remains of this ancient city are its temples and sanctuaries. Note that the temples have no names and are simply differentiated by letters.
Divided into 4 zones, it will take an afternoon to cover this long stretch. The visit is done on foot, but to make your walk pleasant, a small train moves on the park and will bring you to the various places.
Only 15 kilometres from Ragusa stands this magnificent castle. Formerly the residence of a noble family, the palace reflects different styles. Its current neo-Gothic façade is the result of work carried out in the mid-19th century by Senator Corrado Arezzo, who also had a railway station built near the house. It has 112 rooms, of which only twenty can be visited and are furnished. The building also houses a costume museum, a collection of period dresses, costumes and accessories.
Surrounded by 8 hectares of parkland, 3 different gardens make up the setting: a French garden, an English garden and a more rustic garden. Walking through the shade of local trees and plants you will discover a stone labyrinth, caves and a small circular temple.
A visit to the park and garden requires an entrance ticket and can be done separately. A splendid castle in the countryside to visit with the whole family!
On the road from Marsala to Trapani you will see a landscape of salt marshes with piles of salt and mills. To find out more about this production, you can visit the Salines della Laguna in Marsala. Several tours are available, you can visit the mill where an explanatory film is shown, you can harvest salt or you can enjoy a boat trip on the lagoon. There is also an excursion to a small private island where you can enjoy a bath at the Salt Resort. It's up to you to choose the way you want to discover this product!
Opened in 1898, it is the oldest museum dedicated to ceramics. Sicily, and especially Caltagirone, is known for its decorated pottery. More than 6,000 works are on display in this former 14th century convent where it is also possible to visit the storeroom. During your visit you will be able to see the evolution of pottery, reflecting the different eras and civilisations that have marked the region (from ancient times to the present day). Walking around the city, you will see many ceramic decorations on the buildings as well as craft shops and the famous Moorish heads.
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