Tourist Attractions in South East Sicily
Majority of Sicily’s attractions are cultural or scenic; characterized by a number of summer water parks which makes it the kind of destination where sightseeing more than meets the eye. It’s the combination of history, a superb climate and a vibrant contemporary delicacies, drinking and shopping scene that gives this island with its features of wine, citrus fruits and ancient landscapes such an attractive appeal all year round.
South-eastern Sicily is a superb destination endowed with great features, culture, scenery, views and cities that include:
Siracusa (Syracuse)
This is a leading attraction city in Sicily, making it a top destination to relax for a while as it has a lot of top class sights to keep one hinged. It also has a conductive atmosphere, with top cafes, seaside walks, and open-air restaurants. In 733 BC Siracusa was inhabited by Greeks and was the leading power in Sicily from 480 BC through the roman take over.
With a strategic location at the centre of the Mediterranean area, the history and culture of this strong trading port has left this modern city with features ranging from fantastic ruins, such as world’s largest extant Greek theatres, an old site to one of Italy’s best archaeological museums and home to Europe only field of papyrus; which is thought to be a present from Ptolemy II, an Egyptian ruler.
Donnafugata Castello
Is located 20 kilometres outside of Ragusa near Santa Croce Camerina.Positioned in rolling countryside among rocks and giant carob trees, the castle dates back to the mid-17th century? It’s also a wonder when the gracious Venetian-style facade looms into view. In the mid-19th-century, the baron of Donnafugata constructed the magnificent castle onto the 17th-century extant core. A half-century later, the southern side was broken through to build a replacement of the Venetian arcade of the palace of popes at Viterbo. A neoclassical temple was added in the garden. This fascinating amalgam of styles is further confused by the lush, gilded, Trompe-l’oeil baroque interior. Donnafugata castle is open to tourists, usually from 9am to 1pm, though Sunday hours are generally until 3pm and closed on Mondays.
Medieval Ragusa
Ragusa is a combination of two cities. As a result of the damage caused by the earthquake of 1693 to the ancient city which was initially built by the Bronze Age Sikels and covered by an early superb Baroque building before the quake struck; Ragusans opted to shift eastward to reconstruct. They constructed their modern city between the gorges stretching from the town on the top of the hill; leaving largely the original hill town, thus ending up retaining it virtually in place as a quiet, historical Sicilian city.
Ceramics of Caltagirone
This is suitable for those who adore hand-painted Italian ceramics.Caltagirone which means castle-cave in Arabic was established in the Bronze Age on three hills, giving it a subtle street plan enjoined with Baroque and art nouveau buildings, many adorned and beautified with ceramics and tiles. For 4,000 years pot making has been a pre-occupation in Caltagirone, but it was with the Arabs 9TH Century control that the ceramics industry really surged and the local craftsmen perfected their art. Presently, this city thrives on the tourists and collectors who tour its approximately 130 ceramics studios and showcases which happen to be home to Sicily’s regional ceramics museum.
Baroque Noto
This is the top example of baroque urban design in existence which is being refurbished following a stretch of degradation that came to an end in the 1996 collapse of the cathedral dome.
It is an urban architect landscape completed between 1715 and 1780; characterized with a celebration of orchestrated baroque delight, with Churches, Palazzi, and open views laid out with 18th century theatrical elegance.
It would be great if you can hire a car for exploring the urban as well as the rural parts. However, research a bit on the Internet and find a reliable source. It is even better if you can find an information source like the DVLA contact number that gives you the full information of a vehicle.
Author Bio:
Alice is a Passionate blogger. She loves to write as a guest blogger with interest in Automotive and Travel. She writes on behalf of DVLA.You can reach her at alice.jerusha77@gmail.com.
