The largest isle in the Mediterranean, stunning Sicily tempts travelers with its medley of cultures, sublime landscapes, and cache of cultural gems. Read on for our favorite sites on a visit to Sicily.

Crossroads of History

Located off the tip of Italy’s “boot,” this fascinating island where St. Paul preached and Roman emperors and Norman knights once ruled is one of the world’s first melting pots. Sicily was home to all the great Mediterranean civilizations, including the Phoenicians, Elymians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Normans, and Moors, all of which have left their footprints.

Its eclectic history has left Sicily a region of enchanting contrasts with unique cuisine, a dazzling artistic heritage, and remnants of ancient civilizations. For example, you’ll find Baroque and Byzantine cathedrals lying next to the ruins of Roman amphitheaters, Greek temples, and Norman castles.

Palermo

On the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea, lies Palermo, the capital, a meld of Christian, Byzantine, Roman, Norman, and Italian cultures. The cathedral, built in 1185, is one of the most beautiful buildings in Palermo. Its many redesigns over the centuries have left it an interesting blend of Arab and Norman architecture with cupolas, arches, and geometric patterns. Also in Palermo is the gorgeous Cappella Palatina. With its shimmering gold Byzantine mosaics and inlaid marble floors, it’s Palermo’s top attraction. Most of the mosaics depict scenes from the Old Testament while others recount Palermo’s role in the Crusades.

The Palermo Cathedral is an eclectic blend of Arab and Norman architectures

Monreale

In nearby Monreale, you’ll find the splendid cathedral that William II built after experiencing a vision of the Virgin Mary. Completed in 1184, the cathedral has two mighty towers that flank the center façade. The massive bronze doors depict Biblical events and date back to the 12^th century. The inside is spectacular. There are three naves separated by 18 granite columns and the walls are lavishly decorated with over 50,000 square feet of glittering mosaics. The mosaics, with gold backgrounds, portray characters and events from the Bible. Created by Byzantine, Venetian, and Arab artists, they’re truly spectacular.

Monreale Cathedral has over 50,000 square feet of mosaics depicting Biblical events

Classical Ruins

Sicily also has several famous archaeological sites housing some of the best-preserved Greek ruins in the world.

Agrigento

Beyond Agrigento’s medieval town center lies the Valley of the Temples. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it dates from 650 B.C. and it’s Sicily’s most captivating archaeological site. The site encompasses the 5^th century BC Temple of Juno, the 6^th century BC Temple of Hercules, and the ruined ancient city of Akragas, dominated by the beautifully-preserved Temple of Concordia.

The ruins in the Valley of Temples outside Agrigento are some of the best-preserved in the world.

Siracusa

Founded in 734 B.C., Siracusa at one time rivaled Athens in importance. You can see the remains of its former splendor in the Temples of Apollo and Athena and the Greek theater.

Selinunte

Also noteworthy is the 7^th century lost city of Selinunte on Sicily’s west coast. This well-known archaeological site features striking white temple ruins standing in sharp contrast with the sea and sky. During the 6^th century BC, this Greek colony was an important commercial and military center in Sicily. However, the city experienced rapid development followed by an equally rapid decline.

Taormina

Last but not least, the hilltop resort town of Taormina is one of Sicily’s top destinations. With panoramic views of the sea and towering Mt. Etna rising in the background, it’s easy to see why. Taormina is a must-see for the spectacular views, the well-preserved ancient theater, and the pedestrian-friendly, boutique-lined Corso Umberto.

When you visit Sicily, take a break from sightseeing and stroll the famous Corso Umberto in Taormina

The Sicilian Cuisine

We can’t talk about Sicily without mentioning the food. Sicily’s culinary influences are legendary, with aspects of Italian, Greek, Spanish, and Arab cuisine. The timeless recipes still focus on local ingredients like pistachios, almonds, tuna, swordfish, shellfish, raisins, saffron, and citrus. When you visit Sicily, try some of the local specialties such as Arancini, an iconic dish of creamy risotto that’s breaded and fried, locally caught red prawns, and Pasta all Norma made with local tomatoes, aubergines (eggplant), garlic, basil, and ricotta.

Sicilian cuisine is world-renowned. Be sure to sample some of the local dishes.

Visit Sicily

You can visit Sicily, including the sights highlighted above, on NAWAS’ 12 Days Sicily, Sorrento & Rome Pilgrimage and 12 Days Best of Sicily & Italy program. Both tours also features mainland Italy, including Sorrento, the amazing ruins of Pompeii, and Eternal Rome. Contact NAWAS to learn more.

Rising dramatically from the sea just off the coast of Normandy, Mont Saint-Michel is an enchanting sight with a rich history dating back to the 6th century. Surrounded by a picturesque village, this rocky tidal island crowned with a soaring abbey and tower resembles a fairy tale castle in the clouds.

The island and monastery have a long and dramatic history. Specifically, it wasn’t always a monastery; far from it. In a nutshell, it began as a church and a pilgrimage center, then became a fortress stronghold. Next, it was expanded to add an abbey, but the French revolutionists later converted it to a prison. Finally, Mont Saint-Michel became an abbey and a place for pilgrimage once more. Today it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its historical value, religious significance, eclectic architecture, and natural beauty.

The Archangel Michael

Mont Saint-Michel got its start as a church when in 708 AD Bishop Aubert of Avranches built a sanctuary to honor the Archangel Michael. Legend says the archangel appeared in a vision to the Bishop and told him to build a sanctuary in his name on the island. It wasn’t long before pilgrims began to visit.

Many changes occurred over the next few hundred years. In 966 Richard I, the Duke of Normandy, asked monks of the Order of Saint Benedict to settle on the island. Subsequently, the monks built a new church in the pre-Romanesque style which blended Mediterranean and Germanic features.

Later, in the early 11th century, the Duke of Normandy commissioned a new Romanesque abbey with shallow arches and vaulted ceilings. Soon it became a major Christian pilgrimage site, as well as a center of medieval culture.

Mont Saint-Michel’s Cloister has striking Romanesque arches

Fortified During the 100 Years War

After several more expansions in the 12th and early 13th centuries, a fire from a siege by the Britons burned down most of the abbey during the 100 Years War. Afterward, to glorify his victory after the conquest of Normandy, King Philippe-Auguste of France made a big donation for reconstructing and expanding the abbey. Enlarged and heightened, the monastery now featured elements of Gothic architecture and a towering silhouette—La Merveille (the Wonder) that has been enchanting visitors ever since.

Alas, changes to Mont Saint-Michel were far from over. The 100 year War (1337-1453) between France and England was still ongoing. In the early 14th century, the French erected new fortifications with a wraparound wall and several defensive towers to help defend the abbey against an English attack. By the end of the war, Mont Saint-Michel had become even more popular as a place of pilgrimage as Christians came to the island to pray to St. Michael.

Over the centuries a picturesque village sprung up around Mont Saint’s Abbey.

From Abbey to Prison

As Reformation hit Europe in the 16th century, Mont Saint-Michel became less popular and lost religious and military significance. Thus, by the French Revolution, only seven monks remained at the abbey. Revolutionaries, attempting to separate church and state, closed the abbey in 1791 and converted it into a prison. Since it held political prisoners and priests who opposed the new First Republic, it was soon known as the Bastille of the Sea.

Mont Saint-Michel Today

Eventually, the French writer Victor Hugo and several other prominent figures campaigned to close the prison and restore the abbey as a place of worship. The government finally closed the prison in 1863 and then declared it a historic monument in 1874. After a period of restoration, the monks returned in 1922, and once again Mont Saint-Michel became a place of pilgrimage. Further, in 1998 the abbey became a stop on the Pilgrimage Route to Santiago de Compostela.

In the 21^st century, Mont Saint-Michel continues to enchant more than 3 million visitors each year. The magnificent abbey, crowned by a statue of St. Michael, is one of France’s most iconic images. You can visit Mont Saint-Michel on NAWAS’ 11 Days Shrines of France Pilgrimage and 11 Days Best of France program. Contact NAWAS to learn more.