Scicli
   Photo: Scicli

Scicli - a town in the province of Ragusa in the south-eastern part of Sicily. It is located 308 km from Palermo and 25 km from the capital of the province of Ragusa. Together with seven other cities in the region Val di Noto declared a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

The first people on the territory of modern Scicli appeared in the Copper Age, and permanent settlements date back to the early Bronze Age (3 thousand years BC to 1500 BC). The city itself was founded around 300 BC Sicula - probably hence the name Scicli. In the Middle Ages, like the rest of Scicli Sicily was ruled by the Arabs - the town flourished as an agricultural and commercial center, and then, in 1091, was conquered by the Normans, led by Roger I. In 1282 Scicli was one of the towns involved in the infamous The Sicilian Vespers, and rebelled against the rule of the Angevin dynasty.

After the devastating earthquake of 1693 much of the city was rebuilt in the style of "Sicilian Baroque", which gave its current Scicli elegant appearance, which attracts many tourists. Among the main attractions of the city can be called the Church of San Mateo, which stands on the same hill in the old town, the church of Santa Maria la Nova with a huge neoclassical facade and a statue of the Madonna della Pieta of cypress and the Church of St. Ignatius, which stores much revered icon of the Madonna dei Milic. The attention of tourists invariably attracts the Palazzo Fava - one of the first and largest baroque palaces of the city. Particularly noteworthy are the scenery of the main portal and balconies in the style of the late Baroque. Other buildings, which can boast a unique style pomp "Sicilian Baroque" - a City Hall, Palazzo Spadaro and Palazzo Beneventano.

Scicli often becomes a film set for different movies: so here recently worked as the director Marco Bellocchio, who shot "Administrator of weddings." In addition, the city is famous for its religious celebrations, especially the holiday "Adoration of the Child Jesus", which takes place on Christmas Day in the caves surrounding Scicli. These caves bearing the name Kyarafura were carved in volcanic rocks and were inhabited until the mid-20th century.

At Easter in Scicli note hits "Uomo Vivo", which includes a long procession, passing through the city. In March, from Scicli to the neighboring town of Donnalucata go horseback riders in costume. And the most beautiful sight is a religious festival in honor of the Madonna dei Milic, celebrated in May. It is held in memory of the appearance of the Virgin Mary riding on a white horse with a sword in his hand. This phenomenon inspired Norman Christians slay Saracens in 1091.

Finally, Scicli is famous for the fact that in its vicinity are numerous greenhouses, which grow primizi - fresh fruit exported throughout Italy.

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Scicli
Fikutstsa
Necropolis of Pantalica
Alcantara Gorge
Val di Noto
The reserve Vendicari
Caltagirone
Donnafugata
Reserve Cavagrande del Cassibile
The mountain village of Savoca and Castelvecchio Siculo
Hundred horse chestnut
Reserve Pizzo Cane Pizzo Trine and Grotta Matstsamuto
Sikaniyskie mountains
Pantelleria Island