Wedding Menù Culturali

Sulle orme del commissario più amato d´Italia,  per conoscere in prima persona la Sicilia che entra in tutte le case con le vicende di Montalbano, amatissimo personaggio di Andrea Camilleri. Si parte, ovviamente, da IBLA, il quartiere più antico di RAGUSA, che nella finzione cinematografica è Vigàta: la sua piazza principale, un rettangolo allungato che termina nella scenografica fuga di scalini che portano alla cattedrale di San Giorgio, è apparsa in un numerose scene, così come un´altra scalinata, quella lunghissima di Santa Maria delle Scale che lega le due parti della città. Dalla sua cima si gode un panorama stupefacente su Ibla, con le case affiancate una sull´altra in un tipico accrocchio medievale. Nel Settecento la nobiltà locale innestò la ricostruzione barocca su questo reticolo urbano in una suggestiva commistione di stili che è forse il tratto più affascinante di Ibla, che è, oggi, bene patrimonio dell´umanità (Unesco).

RAGUSA IBLA is the oldest part of Ragusa, but we could consider it a town on his own, situated on Iblei alto piano is rich in buildings and churches in baroque style and beautiful gardens. Ragusa Ibla (the lower side) and Ragusa (the upper side), separated by the so-called valle dei ponti (valley of the bridges), a deep valley that is crossed by four successive bridges, among which that known as dei cappuccini (of the Capuchins), dating from the 18th century, is especially renowned. Its diverse architectonic features are evidence for an intense seismic activity in past times. After the 1693’s earthquake the residents settled on the site known as Ibla, that, today, with its medieval layout and lovely baroque architecture, is a most attractive historical centre and a major goal of tourists. The new quarters developed on a more modern orthogonal grid, with large and versatile streets.

Lasciata Ragusa, dopo pochi chilometri s´incontra il castello ottocentesco DONNAFUGATA, un tempo la residenza più ricca dell´intera provincia.
DONNAFUGATA's Castle, Arabian style. The name which is Arabic in origin, is misleading. It does not, in fact, refer, as first appearances might suggest, to a woman fleeing some tyrannical husband or father, nor to one of the legends lingering in some popular memory, but is a free interpretation and transcription of Ayn as Jafat (meaning Fountain of Health) which in Sicilian dalect became Ronnafuata and so was corrupted to its modem form. The origins of the building, furthermore, are more recent than the name. The oldest part (which includes the square tower) dates back to the mid-17C when the Donnafugata fiefdom was acquired by Vincenzo Arezzo La Rocca. The building was continuously altered until the early 20C, when Corrado Arezzo transformed the façade into what can be seen today. What is striking about the exterior of the castle is the elegant Venetian Gothic loggia which dominates the central section of the main facade. The trefoil arches become a recurrent motif repeated in the two-light windows throughout the building.
 Nelle vicinanze troviamo l´Eremo della Giubiliana, un convento-fortezza del Cinquecento, oggi raffinato albergo. Donnalucata è la marina di Vigàta, mentre a Scicli, in una delle più spettacolari strade della Sicilia, si trova Palazzo Iacono alias la questura di Montelusa. La "mannara", cioè il rudere della fabbrica di mattoni Pisciotto è in contrada Sampieri, frazione rivierasca di Scicli. La casa di Montalbano è a Punta Secca. Nell'ultima avventura di Montalbano, "La gita a Tindari", ci spostiamo proprio a Tindari, tra Patti e Milazzo.
Per chi arriva a TINDARI da Est, il susseguirsi di colline digradanti che si gettano in mare formando capo Tindari sembra un grande drago placidamente addormentato con, posato sulla testa, il santuario, visibile fin da lontano. Ci si inerpica lungo la "schiena" godendo di begli scorci sul Golfo di Patti e sulle spiagge fino a Capo di Milazzo. A picco sotto il santuario (visibili dalla terrazza antistante) si possono vedere i Laghetti di Marinello, piccoli specchi d'acqua che il mare crea insinuandosi nella baia sabbiosa, differenti ogni volta. La nascita di questi laghetti è legata alla leggenda di una bimba caduta dall'alto del capo a causa della madre miscredente (la donna non voleva "affidarsi" ad una Vergine nera) e miracolosamente salvata dall'improvviso ritirarsi delle acque impetuose che lasciarono il posto, per accoglierla ed attutire la caduta, ad una coltre di sabbia soffice. Nel 1982 uno dei laghetti assunse una forma simile ad una donna velata di profilo nella quale la gente ravvisò la Madonna del santuario. I laghetti sono raggiungibili a piedi dalle spiagge di Oliveri.

From east, TINDARI appears backed up against a succession of hills emerging from the sea and rising to form a land mass resembling a great dragon slumbering peacefully; perched high upon its head stands the sanctuary, a landmark that is clearly visible from afar. Climbing up the dragon’s back, it is possible to enjoy fine views of the Patti Bay and the beaches up to Capo Milazzo.
At the foot of the rock face, nestle the Laghetti di Marinello (visible from the terrace before the church); these consist of small rock pools caught when the sea floods the sandy bay. According to legend, these pools came into existence to save a little girl who otherwise would have fallen to her death from the top of the headland because of her faithless mother (unable to believe in a Black Virgin); she was saved when the sea miraculously withdrew to leave a soft landing pad of sand that cushioned her fall. In 1982, one of the rock pools assumed the profile of a veiled woman identified by the local people as the Madonna of the Sanctuary. The rock pools are accessible on foot from the beaches of Oliveri. 
 

Luna Romantica  (Buffet classico in piedi o seduti)

Nelle vicinanze di Taormina troviamo splendidi borghi che dominano con la loro altezza le baie marine sottostanti; tra questi, bellissimo è SAVOCA… scelto dal regista Martin Scorsese per il famoso matrimonio de “Il Padrino”. Ancora oggi si può andare nell’intatto locale  a gustare un croccantissimo panino fresco con la classica granita di limone fatta in casa!

SAVOCA is a small town in the Messina province, located about 300m a.s.l. and with a total population of 1,552 inhabitants. it saw the domination of both Normans and Aragonese. It has some interesting churches. The Chiesa Madre dating from the 15^th century is the most attracting building, containing some prized works such as a 1500’s holy water-font and a painting of Saint Michael the Archangel from the same period.
The minor 1600’s Chiesa dell’Immacolata, the Chiesa di San Nicolò and the 1400’s Chiesa di San Michele are also worthy of note. The city accommodates some noble palazzi, most of which are, sadly, damaged or abandoned, and the ruins of an ancient castle.

TAORMINA occupa una posizione favolosa rivolta al mare con alle spalle il vulcano Etna. Già dal 1700 popolare meta turistica. Molti stranieri hanno villeggiato a Taormina, inclusi Guglielmo II ed Edoardo VII, a famiglie famose come i Rotschilds.

Perched on a rocky spur at about 200m height, TAORMINA occupies a fabulous position, overlooking the sea and right opposite Etna volcano. It has been a popular destination for travellers since the 18^th century, although only in the last decades it has developed into a well-known tourist resort. Many foreigners, notably British and German, have decided to build villas in the town and many illustrious figures have  sojourned there, including Emperor William II and King Edward VII, and such famous families as the Rothschilds and the Krupps.
A mild climate, a splendid landscape and serene outlook have made Taormina famous worldwide.
A legend relates how the crew aboard a Greek vessel that was sailing along the eastern coast of Sicily had the impudence to be distracted while making a sacrifice to Neptune, the god of the sea. This, outraged, sent forth such a strong wind that the boat was shipwrecked. Fascinated by the area, the sole survivor Theocles decided to return to Greece to persuade a band of compatriots to come to Sicily and found a colony, that was Nasso, the modern-day Naxos.
There is a seed of truth in the legend, for a Greek colony was indeed founded here in the 8^th century BC, its people prospering quietly until 403 BC when Dionysius, the tyrant of Syracuse, decided to extend his territory by including this part of the island.
The old town centre is dotted with fine palazzi which share various features: most are Gothic in style with Arab-Norman inflections and built of black lava stone and white Syracuse stone in a combination to provide geometric patterning and other decorative effects such as articulating arches, arcades and doorways. The application of such simple ideas animate the elevations of Taormina’s most interesting town houses.
 

Nero Vulcano (Cena a base di piatti tipici dell’Etna)
 
Mount ETNA is Sicily’s tallest peak. Although capped with snow for much of the winter, it is one of Europe’s most famous active volcanoes. Its actual height has been repeatedly modified by eruptions throughout time; it currently (1998) stands at 3350 m above sea level. Etna evolved as a result of submarine eruption during the Quaternary Period (circa 500,000 years ago), at the same time that the plain of Catania was formed, originally as a broad bay. Etna is known to have erupted regularly during Antiquity, as documented at least 135 times. In the Middle Ages, eruptions were recorded in 1329 and 1381 disseminating terror amongst the people of the region. It was in 1669, however, that the most catastrophic quake occurred; a great river of lava flowed down to the sea, devastating part of Catania on the way. In the 20^th century, the most violent eruption were recorded in 1910 – leading to 23 additional craters being formed –, in 1917 – when a fountain of lava spurted 800m into the air from its base – and in 1923 – when outpouring of molten lava stayed hot for more than 18 months after the eruption. In 1928, a lava flow destroyed the village of Mascali and other eruptions followed in 1954, 1964, 1971, 1974, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985 and 1991 that continued to grumble for a further three years. A plume of smoke always hangs above Etna and it could burst into activity at any moment. The black lava around the craters dates from recent eruptions as compared with the older grey lava on which lichens are beginning to grow. The presence of both and, sometimes, their distressing effects (blocked roads and ruined buildings) are evidence for the volcano’s constant activity.
On the slopes of the central crater, at about 3000 m height, in the vicinity of the Torre del Filosofo – where a refuge was destroyed by lava in 1971 – are three more craters: the north-eastern crater – that began suppurating in 1978 – the north-eastern crater – at the highest point and dormant since 1971 – and the Bocca Nuova (literally the “New Mouth”) which, in recent times has been the most active.
The protected area designated a National Park in 1987 covers some 59,000 hectares. 
The mountain consists of an enourmous black cone, visible from a distance of up to 250km away. The extremely fertile slopes are cultivated with dense groves of oranges, mandarins, lemons, olives, agaves and prickly pears, as well as bananas, eucalyptus, palm trees, maritime pines and vines from which the excellent Etna wine is produced. Probably, the most common of the wild plants is Euphorbia dendroides (tree spurge).
Above 500m, plantations of hazelnuts, almonds, pistachio and chestnuts give way to oaks, beeches, birches, and pines higher up, especially around Linguaglossa. The landscape at this altitude is also characterized by a local variety of broom. At 2100m, the desolate landscape sustains desert-like plants like Astragalus aetnensis (a local variety of milk-vetch), a small prickly bush often found alongside colorful endemic varieties of violet, groundsel and other flowers which populate the slopes of the secondary craters. Higher up, snow and, for a lot time after an eruption, hot lava prevent any type of macroscopic vegetation from growing.
The protected areas of Etna harbour a large variety of small mammals (porcupine, fox, wild cat, weasel, marten and dormouse), birds (kestrel, buzzard, chaffinch, woodpecker and hoopoe), a few reptiles, such as the asp viper, and a large variety of butterflies, including the Eastern orange tip (Anthocharis damone, which is more commonly known in Italy as the Aurora dell’Etna).
 

NICOLOSI – It is often regarded as the gateway to Etna. It is here that the official guides  are centred and it is from here that the road winds its way up to Rifugio Sapienza, the starting point for all expeditions to the crater.

TRECASTAGNI – Literally, the name of this town translates as Threechestnuts. However, contrary to what it might sound, its name actually derives from tre casti agni (short for “agnelli”, lambs) which refers to the three chaste lambs that are worshipped here, Alfio, Filadelfio and Cirino.

ZAFFERANA ETNEA is a town few distant from the Ionian Coast, at 574 m a.s.l. It totals some 8,100 inhabitants. It was founded around the 12^th century in the vicinity of a Benedictine Monastery, today no longer existing, and became an autonomous municipality in 1826. Highly harmed by natural disasters, notably 1693’s and 1818’s earthquakes, it managed to revive and regain’s its old splendor.
In the city surroundings are sites of both naturalistic and historical interest, such as the Bove Valley – where are the old craters of Rocca degli Zappini and Serra Giannicola Grande – and the Sentiero Natura di Monte Zoccolaro with a beautiful chestnut wood. 

LINGUAGLOSSA, nearly 6,000 inhabitants and lying at 550m a.s.l., is especially renowned as a ski resort. Its name, literally translating as “tongue” both in Italian (lingua) and in Greek (glossa), refers, according to an intriguing hypothesis, to its hot position on the slopes of the volcano, many times invaded by its lava. It was supposedly founded by survivors of Naxos as apparently attest some Greek relics unearthed by the Ficheri creek. In the central piazza is the Mother Church dedicated to the Madonna delle Grazie. Its façade combines lava and sand stone. Inside it has three naves adorned with two beautiful paintings attributed to Olivo Sozzi and a 1700’s carved wooden choir where are illustrated scenes from the life of Jesus Christ.

MILO is a small farming community tenuously survives against all odds given the unpredictable, blind advances of lava which have so far spared it. Indeed, on many occasions, the lava has come to within a few metres before, at the last minute, changing direction. 
 

Verde Sicilia (Buffet vegetariano)
VIZZINI is a city nearly 600m a.s.l. in proximity to the springs of the Dirillo River (or Acate river). It is located in the Iblean Mountains, notably between the Castello, Maddalena and Calvario hills. Numerous grottos in its environs, much of them today barely visible, seem to attest to prehistoric settlements.
The earliest documented record on Vizzini goes back to the Greek time, while the modern city was founded in the Middle Ages around a noble castle. A remarkable urban growth was recorded in the Colle Calvario area in the early 15^th century. 
 The city has plenty of religious and secular interesting buildings, notably in its historical side, and is renowned for being the hometown of Giovanni Verga’s family, one of the most outstanding Italian writers. Highly damaged by the 1693 earthquake, it has a largely Baroque structure, resulted from the post-quake reconstruction.
Vizzini is the place where Verga set some of his most celebrated tales (it is advisable to read his tales before the visit…), among which were La Lupa (the Cunziria quarter appearing in some scenes of the film adaptation by Gabriele Lavia), the Cavalleria Rusticana (that Mascagni made into its most celebrated opera) and the novel Mastro Don Gesualdo. The visitors can directly experience the places mentioned in his works and visit the tavern where Turiddo challenges Alfio to a duel, the Chiesa di Santa Teresa, where, in the Opera, women go to pray, the homes of ‘Gna Lola and Santuzza, and the Cunziria, the tanners’ quarter, where the two men eventually fight, the church and palazzi appearing in Mastro Don Gesualdo scenes. 
  

Buffet Sicano (Buffet a base di piatti tipici siciliani)
 

The city of BRONTE is set on the western slopes of the Etna volcano, with a nice view over the Simeto River’s valley. Several religious buildings in town are worth-visiting.
Two museums deserve a mention: the Ethnographic Museum housed within the Masseria Lombarda and the Vagliasindi Museum. The latter, arranged in two rooms, holds a collection of archaeological relics among which are bronze coins of the Greek and Middle ages.
The Castle of the Nelsons – It is a former Benedictin abbey – Abbazia di Maniace - dedicated to St. Mary, located few kilometres off Bronte. It was named after the Greek General Maniakes, whose troops drove Saracens out of Sicily. The castle sits on the field of that famous battle. Heavily damaged by an earthquake sometimes at the end of the 12^th century, it was successively rebuilt. It passed through many hands, begin with the Benedictine and the Basilian Friars, and was eventually bestowe on Admiral Nelson who helped the government put down a revolt. It comprises a splendid park and a small nice Arab-Norman church dedicated to S. Maria di Maniace, containing many interesting pieces, among which is a precious 1200’s polyptych depicting the Enthroned Virgin with San Biagio, S. Antonio Abate and Santa Lucia.
The city, included in the Etna Park, is endowed with several naturalistic sites. Notably worth-visiting is a trail along the Ruvula Mount, stretching across a beautiful landscape comprised of the Centorbi wood, and the “Tre Frati”, “Peloso”, “Sellato” and “Minardo” mounts.  
According to legend, the city of Bronte was founded by the cyclope Polyphemus. Discoveries of tombs seem to testify to Sikel settlements in the area. The city was successively ruled by the Greek, Carthaginian and Roman. In 1040 the Norman-Byzantine armies led by General Maniakes defeated the Arabians. His name is commemorated in the Monastery of S. Maria di Maniace, built in the late 12^th century.
Agriculture represents a major economic resource. Bronte’s pistachio is internationally renowned. 
 

Sicilia Barocca (Cena raffinata con ricette ed ambientazioni barocche)
 

CALTAGIRONE, city of ceramics – The reason behind it all rests in the inexhaustible deposits of clay occurring in the area.
Local shapes gave way to Greek influences (as trade increased). This soon became one of the town’s main activities. The production improved becoming more efficient and more precise and the wheel was introduced (by the Cretans in about 1000 BC). The critical turning point, however, was the arrival of the Arabians in the 9^th century, for, with them, practices were changed irrevocably. They introduced Eastern designs and also glazing techniques that rendered objects impermeable to water. The art became more sophisticated as exquisite geometric patterning and stylised decoration were modelled on plants and animals. Blue, green and yellow were the predominant colours. The Arabian contribution to the city culture is honored in the name of the town, that according to the most intriguing hypothesis, might be derived from the Moorish for “castle” or “fortress of vases”.
Tastes and demands remarkably changed under the Spanish. The painted decoration was predominantly monochrome (blue or brown) and comprised organic designs or coat of arms of some noble family or religious order. The city entered a period of prosperity thanks to the new industries in the area. The honey production became particularly important, and honey-makers soon became the potters’ most assiduous customers. The “quartaro” (deriving from “quartara”, an amphorae with a capacity of 1,25 litres), a new figure of ceramics artisan, appeared, supplementing the old “cannataro” (deriving from the word “cannata” meaning jug). Organizing themselves into confraternities, they opened their workshops in a large area south of the town, within the city walls.
Besides ceramic tables and kitchenware, Caltagirone established itself for the making of tiles and ornamental plaques for domes and floors, church and palazzi façades. Among the greatest artists between the 16^th and the 18^th century were the Gagini brothers and Natale Bonajuti. In the 17^th century decorative medallions filled with figurative vignettes of effigies of saints (typical in products from all over Sicily) became popular; a century later, moulded relief was applied to vases with elaborate volutes and polychrome decoration.
The 19^th century saw a period of decline, arrested only in part by the production of figurines, often used in Nativity cribs. In the second half of the century, this form of art reached new heights of excellence in the hands of such masters as Dongiovanni and Vaccaro.  
Villa Comunale – It is a beautiful garden designed by the architect Basile at the half of the 19^th century modelled on the English gardens. The edge with via Roma is marked by an ornamented balustrade topped with vases with disturbingly devilish faces alternated with bright green pine-cones and majolica light stands. The garden is threaded by a series of shaded pathways which open out into secluded spaces ornamented by ceramic sculptures, figures and fountains. The most impressive open area is graced with a delightful bandstand decorated with Moorish-looking elements and glazed panels of majolica.
 The Scala di Santa Maria del Monte has 142 stair treads complemented by highly decorative multi-colored maiolica tile uprights bearing various combinations of geometric and organic designs inspired by the animal kingdom, echoing moorish, norman, spanish, baroque or some other more contemporary influence.
 

NOTO is  a stone's garden. After the earthquake in 1693 that destroyed Noto Antica that raised on Monte Alveira. It was rebuilt on the valley on the left side of River Asinaro, 10 Km far from Jonio Sea. Noto is rich in art and architecture, charming, called "Stone's Garden" for his baroque buildings, especially churches in baroque style. Tourists can admire its treasures just strolling along the streets of the historic centre. Famous is, in May, "Infiorata". A carpet made of flowers, paintings covers Nicolaci street.
 

Cena Agreste (Cena in Agriturimo)
 

The famous and wonderful Roman Villas del Casale is in PIAZZA ARMERINA.

An huge structure is the biggest testimony of Roman presence in Sicily is Villa del Casale aristocratic Roman house, and its well-preserved mosaics dating from the 4th century B.C. that represent scenes of hunting and fishing, African and oriental suggestion, mythological figures and everyday life. There are the kitchen and the gymnasium with mosaics too (the most famous is the one with gymnasts with bikini), terms with frigidarium, tiepiddarum and calidarium. Outside there are space for otium and free time of the rich inhabitants, to restore in the shadow of eucalyptus on the river Gela.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sicilia Mediterranea (Cena a base di pescato fresco)
  

ACI TREZZA, totalling some 5,000 inhabitants, is a small fishing village dominated on the seaward side by the Rocks of the Cyclops, a treacherous pointed mass of black lava rising up from the crystal-like waters. The Odissey tells that these were hurled by Polyphemus against Ulysses who had blinded him by thrusting a flaming stake into hin only eye; the hero then escaped with his companions by clinging to the bellies of rams belonging to the Cyclops. Beside the rocks sits the island of Lachea, now a biology research station run by the University of Catania.

Acitrezza was chosen by the writer Giovanni Verga to set his celebrated novel I Malavoglia. The little harbor bathed in sunshine and dotted with multi-colored boats, seems inhabited by the ghosts of his fictitious characters; so easy to imagine Maruzza and the other members of the Malavoglia family, waiting here anxiously on the shore, ceaselessly searching the horizon, alas in vain, for the Provvidenza with his cargo of lupins. Here Luchino Visconti shooted his film La Terra Trema (The Earth Trembles) that he draw from Verga’s novel I Malavoglia.
Dolce Sicilia (Rinfresco a base di dolci e bevande liquorose)
MODICA is called "one-hundred churches town". It is the birth-place of Salvatore Quasimodo, a 20th century writer and 1959's Nobel Prize. It is the town of the famous bridge, among the tallest in Europe (300m). It is the city of the Castle, whose remnants consist of a 18th century tower and a more recent clock, both symbolically representing it. It is the town of the Baroque and of the County, both testifying to its glorious past. Finally, it is a city of disasters: natural, as were earthquakes in 1613 and 1693 and floods in 1833 and 1902; and human, as appear certain ugly modern buildings in its beautiful historical centre - a feature that, alas, recurs in most of the historical Sicilian cities. It grew up in the southern reach of the Iblean mountains and was originally divided into two areas: Modica Alta (Upper Modica), whose picturesque stone houses nestle on the slopes of a mount, and Modica Bassa (Lower Modica), lying down in the valley.