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Castle

Mussomeli’s Castle between stories and legends

24 October 2023

Built at the will of Manfredi III of Chiaramonte in 1364, the castle is linked to stories of conspiracies, betrayals and… ghosts! Not only classical art or baroque art, in Sicily it is also possible to visit splendid testimonies of medieval art, among Arab-Norman roads, ancient villages and castles. Positioned on an inaccessible cliff, so much so that it seems a majestic eagle nest, perfectly camouflaged in the limestone rock, we find one of the sicilian castles with the best scenographic impact: the Castello di Mussomeli, also known as the Castello Manfredonico. The name derives from Manfredi III of Chiaramonte, the Duke of Modica who decided to create the castle at the point where a previous fort of the swabian period was located, because it was conquered by the inaccessible position that made it perfect from a strategic point of view. It is said that it was built in just…

Nature

The Alcantara gorges: where nature has created a masterpiece

24 October 2023

From the meeting between the icy waters of the river and the lava flows of the last millennia, a canyon of incredible beauty is born. Sicily is a land where it is possible to see great works of human ingenuity, its history and its culture. But also nature has left unique places and glimpses, where to marvel at every step. From the meeting between the icy waters of a river and the volcanic flow of Etna, the Gole of Alcantara are born, a natural canyon of incredible beauty, which can be visited in Spring and Summer period. His formation dates back to even 300 thousand years ago and starts from the river bed of the Alcantara. Their current form is relatively more recent: the aspect is in fact due to the lava flows that occurred in the last 8000 years. The lava, which has come into contact with the icy…

Wine

Marsala: a sicilian excellence born in 1773

23 October 2023

It conquered a rich English merchant who landed in Marsala due to a storm: stories and characteristics of the first sicilian DOC wine Telling the story and tradition of wine in Sicily, we could only start from that, in 1969, was the first sicilian wine to obtain the recognition of the Denomination of Controlled Origin (DOC): Marsala. Symbol of the sicilian food and wine heritage, Marsala is a fortified wine that takes its name from the town of the same name in the province of Trapani. The history of wine dates back to 1773, when an English merchant ship landed in the port of Marsala which was headed to Mazara del Vallo but which was forced, due to a storm, to take shelter in the first port along its route. In Marsala, the rich merchant John Woodhouse, originally from Liverpool, seems to have tasted for the first time the local…

Recipes

Martorana fruit

23 October 2023

The queen of sicilian cuisine Ingredients for 4 people320 g of bucatini Pasta300 g fresh sardine fillets scaled, gutted, boned and headless200 g mountain fennel, only the tenderest part2 anchovy fillets in oil20 g sultana raisins20 g pine nuts1 onion1 clove of garlic1 sachet of saffron1/2 glass of white wine50 g pan-toasted breadcrumbsextra virgin olive oilsalt Method Boil the cleaned and washed fennel in plenty of salted water. Let them cook well, it will take about 10-12 minutes. As soon as they are cooked, drain them keeping the water. It is important not to throw it away, you will need it to cook the pasta.Soak the raisins in a little warm water and put aside.In a large, non-stick pan, chop garlic and onion and fry in oil. As soon as they are wilted and well cooked, add the anchovy fillets and flake them with a wooden spoon.Add them to the…

Sicily for Kids

The Opera of Pupi

23 October 2023

The paladins are ready to help the emperor Charlemagne to defeat the Saracens who have besieged Paris: will they manage not to be distracted by beautiful Angelica? Come boys and girls, young and old, tall and short, thin and fat. The Opera dei Pupi is going to start, a show of sounds and music, an explosion of colours and emotions. The accordion begins to play, the small curtain opens, everyone sits down in silence. The Emperor Charlemagne enters with his crown and shining armour. Paris is besieged by the Saracens, led by King Agramante, and it is time to organise the defence of the city. The strongest knights of the kingdom, the paladins, rush to help the emperor: the invincible Orlando, his cousin Rinaldo with his sister Bradamante, the only female paladin and very strong warrior. The strength of the paladins seems to make the battle for Charlemagne turn better…