Must-See Historical Sights in Sicily, Italy

The main church for the city of Palermo is a showy example of Arab-Norman architecture. Construction began in the 12th century on the site, and, through the years, there have been additions and renovations, which incorporated gothic, baroque and neoclassical details. Inside, you can visit the royal tombs of Norman kings and their family members. Don’t miss the Byzantine-style jewel-studded crown of Constance of Aragon, wife of Frederick II.

This fourth-century Roman villa is home to some of the most famous mosaics in Itay. One that particularly deserves your attention is the surprisingly modern Coronation of the Winner, better known as the Bikini Girls. Rows of girls in red bikinis are portrayed throwing a ball and long jumping, all created with tiny squares of coloured glass and stone. The villa is enormous, with room after room, once home to an important Roman family who ruled this part of Sicily.

Split between two separate sites, the Necropolis of Pantalica is a remarkably well-preserved burial ground that dates back thousands of years, carved into the limestone hills. You can reach them from two different towns, by foot via Sortino, walking through the Mediterranean scrub vegetation, or by car via Ferla. Visit the Archaeological Museum in Syracuse to see the pottery and tools that were excavated from the site in the late 1800s.

This well-preserved Greek temple is a must for any visitor to western Sicily. Near Trapani, this part of the island was once known as Segesta. The impressive temple rises from a field that is situated at the foot of Mount Barbaro.

Wind your way all the way to the top left corner of this hilltop town to find the ancient Greek amphitheatre that was constructed in the third century BCE (which actually makes it Roman) and is still used today. The views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea are unparalleled. Back in the day, there was space for more than 5,000 people on the carved stone seats and benches. Today, there are modern seats, from which you get to enjoy operas, symphonies and film festivals during the summer months.

If you want to understand modern Sicilian and Italian history, you need to know the names Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino. Both men were anti-mafia judges, who worked their entire careers fighting the stronghold of organised crime. They were killed within weeks of each other in separate bombings, during the summer of 1992. The Palermo airport is named for them, and you should seek out the memorial plaque by sculptor Tommaso Geraci outside the departure hall. You will find schools, public buildings and piazzas bearing the name of these brave men all over Sicily.

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