historic

Val di Noto: Guide to Sicily’s Baroque UNESCO World Heritage Towns

In southeastern Sicily, the Val di Noto quietly dazzles with its baroque architecture and deep sense of history. When I ...
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Town-Hopping Through Sicily’s Baroque Valley After the Great Earthquake

When I first set foot in Sicily’s Val di Noto, I couldn’t help but feel awe at the story of ...
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Val di Noto: Eight Baroque Towns Rebuilt After Destruction to UNESCO Perfection

I’ve always been drawn to places that rise from destruction with even more beauty, and Val di Noto in southeastern ...
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Cappella Palatina: Guide to the Most Spectacular Royal Chapel in Europe

Right in the heart of Palermo, Sicily, the Cappella Palatina dazzles with its medieval artistry and vibrant mix of cultures. ...
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The Moment I First Saw Palatine Chapel’s Golden Light and Gasped

I stood at the entrance of the Palatine Chapel, not knowing what I was about to walk into. As I ...
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Cappella Palatina: The Golden Chapel Where Three Civilizations Created Perfection

Stepping into the Cappella Palatina in Sicily feels like tumbling into a golden daydream. Time seems to pause here. This ...
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Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel: Guide to Sicily’s Greatest Royal Complex

Standing in front of the Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel in Palermo, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed by how ...
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From Arab Emirs to Spanish Viceroys: My Journey Through Sicily’s Royal History

As I wandered through Sicily’s winding streets, I felt like I was stepping through centuries of royal history. The island’s ...
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Norman Palace: The Oldest Royal Residence in Europe Still in Use

Standing in the heart of Palermo, Sicily, I felt genuinely awestruck by the Norman Palace. This building has watched centuries ...
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Taormina: The Clifftop Resort That Enchanted Artists and Royalty

Taormina sits high above Sicily’s eastern coastline, and honestly, it stole my heart the second I wandered onto its ancient ...
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Palermo Cathedral: Guide to Visiting Sicily’s Most Eclectic Church

Standing in front of Palermo Cathedral, I can’t help but be awed by its wild mix of architectural styles. This ...
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Discovering Islamic Inscriptions in a Catholic Cathedral: My Surprise in Palermo

When I stepped through the grand doorway of Palermo Cathedral, I honestly didn’t expect to stumble across traces of Islamic ...
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Palermo Cathedral: The Building That Tells Sicily’s Entire History

When I stand before Palermo Cathedral, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed by how much history one building can hold. ...
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Historic Syracuse: Where Greek, Roman and Baroque Treasures Converge

Wandering the ancient streets of Syracuse in Sicily feels like stepping into a living museum. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ...
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When Ancient Greek Temples Transform into Baroque Cathedrals

The ancient world and the Baroque era seem worlds apart, but their religious architecture actually shares some fascinating connections. When ...
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Ortygia Island: The Beating Heart of Historic Syracuse

Wandering through the ancient limestone streets of Ortygia, I couldn’t help but feel like I’d tumbled into another era. This ...
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Taormina Greek Theater: Guide to Events, Tickets and Best Photo Spots

Sitting high on a hillside above the sparkling Mediterranean, the Greek Theatre of Taormina is easily Sicily’s most breathtaking ancient ...
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Watching Opera Where Ancient Greeks Once Sat: My Night at Teatro Antico

As the sun started dipping behind the Ionian Sea, I found myself perched on these ancient stone seats. Audiences have ...
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Taormina Greek Theater: Ancient Drama Against a Perfect Mediterranean Backdrop

Perched on a hillside above the deep-blue Mediterranean, Taormina’s Greek Theater has to be one of Sicily’s most breathtaking ancient ...
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Buffalo Mozzarella and Ancient Temples: A Perfect Day in Paestum

Just a stone’s throw from the Amalfi Coast, you’ll find Paestum—a place where time feels like it slows down. On ...
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Greek Temples in Perfect Preservation: The Wonder of Paestum

Walking through the ancient site of Paestum in southern Italy honestly feels like stepping into a time machine. Just a ...
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