History

Sicily’s people, culture, food and architecture can be explained by its position. A melting pot that various peoples have added to, this goes some way to explain the difference you will find here in the heart of the Mediterranean.

Some remains of the earliest human settlements still exists mainly in caves, more major evidence can be found at locations such as the necropolis at Pantalica.

Almost all major powers of the last three thousand years have attempted to take control of Sicily with inevitable conflict because of its strategic value.

Carthaginians

Greeks

Romans

Vandals

Byzantines

Arabs

Normans

Spanish

Also the English, Austrians had more indirect influence.

All these left their legacy, introducing new foods, crops, architecture, place names, laws, urban planning, and lifestyle habits and of course further enriching the population’s diversity.

From mainly the 18th century Sicily joined the list of destinations on the grand tour for young gentleman to ‘broaden’ their education of the world. This led to some notable artists and poets gaining inspiration from Sicily.