Sicily Island, Italy, the source of beauty
Sicily Island, Italy, the source of beauty, to have been here countless poets and writers are giving it high praise, this warm and beautiful land rich master, in the human the stage of history plays a very important role, the first original inhabitants, the ancient Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Normans and the Islamic forces were stopped in here and created a splendid civilization. Today, Sicily all-encompassing, inclusive.
7 month Sicily is the harvest season, the golden wheat fields rolling has been extended to remote, coastal plain is a large vineyard and Olive Manor, glowing in the sun attractive sheen. Sicily under the sun, exposure to which, it seems floating in the air after the harvest of various crops and the aroma of wine, Sicilian hospitality make you truly feel the charm of this land rich.
My trip to Sicily in the summer time is also the harvest season began Sicily, and compared to other seasons with other different kinds of beauty. Recognizing the need to understand Sicily this island's past, because the hub is located in the Mediterranean, Sicily has always been a battleground, has the history of civilization in the Mediterranean hegemony of the various ethnic groups seem to have more or less stay in Sicily off mark.
travel route will start with the beginning of Sicily's historical and cultural city - the ancient Greek city-states to the original medieval city.
Next: open Sicilian chapter of history
Edo take the ancient and modern adventure
more to get the ancient Egyptian adventure
around the island of Sicily with the Greeks around the city with multiple sites, near Enna in central cities (ENNA) will be important sites of a number of Morgantina, This ancient Greek city-states known as the Sicilian city of Pompeii, we can see the integrity and important position. Morgantina site in Egypt near the ancient city of more than 3 kilometers to get.
from Palermo starting, take A19 highway, about 3-hour drive away to Edo to take the ancient city, this place is well preserved The medieval city is located in a hill, surrounded by its rolling hills, planted with crops such as barley, wheat fields after harvest piled on the rolls of hay. Mountains along the pilgrimage road car on top of the Edo town to get marching, and then stopped in front of City Hall. This is a very quiet city originally, but since the arrival of a sudden we are bustling, the city hall the mayor we received a grand reception here, the most surprising is that, entered the hall, even a Teams of people dressed in medieval costumes lined up to welcome us. It is said that this is the richest traditions of local hospitality means road, still in use, people flattered, but also the ancient city on a deeper impression, even more noteworthy is that here we also met the Italian Trade Commission of Mr. Lai Shiping, Edo take his home, holiday home as best he enthusiastically explains, and tells a lot more to take the past of Egypt. Guest of honor will be in a hundred years between the construction of the hall, a good talk.
Edo city built on top of the hill to take, the board of each street as the fire in the town hall as an extension from the top, where there is a important to the church, both the ancient city of Edo residents get to Mass daily place of worship, but also Morgantina site mining ancient Greek culture exhibition museum.
meal imaginative lunch
more to get the city out of Egypt after the departure of about 3 km along the mountain roads, then to the Morgantina ancient Greek ruins, where at another hills above the terrain is slightly lower than the Egyptian city to get more, but you can look into the distance. Site of the ancient city state will be in our side of the trunk, the hills covered by dense bush, flattened grass, olive trees are thick. There is a village restaurant, very simple, stone house in the midst of olive trees and flowers in the shade in, look around this one building alone, the rest is silence of the mountains, where we enjoyed a meal imaginative lunch lunch food itself is not special, but the arrangement sounds like a motive.
out of the car, there will be a group dressed in traditional costumes of ancient Greece to meet a beautiful girl, according to local custom, to offer a glass of alcohol per person liqueur as a welcome way, in the tall olive trees, the dappled sunlight on the human face, mountain breeze blowing in the breeze, drinking wine, in front is a young girl dressed in ancient Greece, as if the real return to the Morgantina city, which is more than we take in the ancient city of Egypt, ancient and modern adventures in the beginning.
our lunch tables arranged in the flowers and the shade, white table linen and green grass and white, the traditional tomatoes, olives, eggplant and Pasta, of course, fresh fruit here, take the food will sit under the olive tree, taste the tradition of thousands of years here, taste, feeling very strange, as if in front, built in the ancient city of dusty live for thousands of years the up.
wander in Morgantina ancient city
when others how to describe how this magnificent and unique city, the mind has not outlined its true face, but really you were in close and to touch it When the feeling is indescribable, it is no wonder people call it Sicily Pompeii.
Today's Morgantina city the size of the state far less than the first, a lot of years of erosion of the site by trees and initially it was from the surrounding hills to spread to a valley. In the flat valley floor, you can see the most complete ancient city center, where both the excavation and protection of the best one, but also to understand where the most complete ancient city state. Central Market Center on the ground, was four-square building, although only ruins, but still clear to see that this market structure, the bottom of the market in the central site of the ancient parliament, is the ancient Parliament is a complete The theater, like other open-air theaters of ancient Greece, like the structure, but also often held here, a number of concerts and performances. Government office building on the hillside, along the mountain has been to the top, there is nobility in the home, this ancient Greek city-states flourished in the 4th century BC or so, built by Greek colonists, who is well known, is the most Sicily a city with one of the forces. Looking out standing on top of the ancient city of Morgantina, here is a high ground, the foot hills of the progressive layers of continuous, regular wheat fields after harvest olive groves, or be separated by other plants, sunshine, yellow and dark green green and white, there is a unique beauty, this dusty old city for thousands of years had just lay in the bushes and sand, the both have been found, it is still a complete and quiet, as if everything is the same as yesterday.
valley in
is the ancient Greek city-states of Sicily many important sites in one place, this port city at the southern tip of Sicily, starting from Palermo, about 2 hours drive away, because the ancient city of known.
noon to city is also built on top of the hill, a very broad field of vision could see the distant shoreline, from the city looked modern, the ancient Greek city site stands in the direction of the Director of the hill side.
lunch at a Michelin won the Golden Lion award for the restaurant, painted yellow wall paint in it side of the iron gate at the entrance, there are flowers and rattan set off a corridor, and the sun shone down through the top of the gap, the formation of mottled light and shadow. There are two indoor and outdoor dining, the outdoor dining in a more rural style, rattan covered roof, the arrayed orange chairs and white tablecloths, people feel fresh.
used is to close after lunch to experience city, and this city from far and near to see has a different look charm. Is the highest in the ruins of three temples, now only see the whole city was only the temple and the heck Rees Union Temple, Temple of Zeus no longer exist. Along the stone steps of Loess and incompleteness, climbing up, on both sides of the hill on top of a large olive and cactus, the first city where the houses are separated by a valley, higher top of the hill is a modern Agnes Li Qintuo urban areas. Sea.
temple of the ancient city Valley is located, its history dates back to 581 BC, and Luo from Gela City's immigrants built. The city extended a thousand years, until the 7,9-century AD until the end of the Christian era, and its surviving inhabitants to migrate to the northwest of the Greek city of hills on Jill Jane Diqiu. Initially both sides of the valley in the city, there are two rivers that River and Xi Pasa River, until side, the river provides drinking water for the city with food, ancient coins is a pattern crab, we can see only the city is under water, the door. Paradox in the temple in the park walk back and forth, the natural environment and the temple, cemetery and underground maze-like structure to achieve the perfect harmony. But the ancient and Roman times much of the city remained hidden for centuries in the form of a large almond and olive forests.
from the highest point of the Herricks Union of God at the temple to the lower, during the course of about 2 miles seemed to go thousands of years, ancient ruins under the sun, wind and rain of bricks that the millennium seemed to speak of those glorious past. Concord temple architecture style and the Greek temple of the Acropolis in Athens is somewhat similar to this for thousands of years a symbol of ancient Greek civilization, then proudly standing in front of you. Winds west northwest wind called the Ship Texas, overlooking the East, behind insurmountable ravine, deeply feel the uniqueness of the city, her strength, her beauty and her building, away from the It was only a few steps away, she was changing the nature and art around, no one is not for her beautiful and impressive.
Confucius Concert hometown
Virginia (Piazza Armerina)
Confucius Concert hometown
in Sicily many historical cultural city ruins, Virginia is not the first first, but it is definitely the best preserved medieval and cultural city, the original appearance of the Middle Ages are almost full expression here, of course, performances and colorful costumes and cultural activities . For China, this medieval city has a deeper meaning, because there is an important missionary priest Yin Ze (Prosper Intorcetta) was born here, this person will be brought to the Western Confucian China, for the first time to the Middle Ages of Western culture to China With a comprehensive sense. So visit Virginia, to the bosom friend of the homeland of Confucius have a deeper look at intimacy.
medieval Old Town the same hillside, with the highest at the Cathedral as the center, fire in an extension of the foot of the ancient city and the Metro area connected, very imposing, if it is from the air, overlooking, you can more clearly see the ancient city is very complete.
About Virginia City, touch your eyes all the buildings are very old, and where each Streets and houses have stories, riding on a smooth stone on the road, if not both sides of the shops and parked cars, and quickly passed the motorcycle to remind the existence of modern civilization, maybe that came to the Middle Ages. Everything here is preserved Tudor Chak Yin Gumao birth, need to know to understand the ancient city of its people began Chak Yin Duo. Duo Chak Yin was born in 1625, sixteen years and health Shunzhi Marina countries and to China as a missionary, both with early hero for the Catholic Church in Hangzhou, leaving the tomb is also in the same manner. China's ancient civilization known in Europe, this ancient civilization is inseparable from Italy, of course, following the Marco Polo and Matteo Ricci, the duo Ze Yin is also of Oriental Learning in people who have had a significant impact. Ze Yin Duo the first to" The Analects" translated into Latin, and translated the auspices of" moderate" and four books, translated into Latin and published in, the band returned to Europe, publicity, after him, Confucianism began to attract interest in Europe, which is a landmark on the East-West cultural exchange event.
Baroque Art City
(Caltagirone)
and Virginia and the Edo take different for its Baroque architecture and centuries of Porcelain and famous . The city also chose a hill fortification, taking into account the defensive in the Middle Ages and living habits, some people living in BC, flourished in the Middle Ages, the city had been subjected to earthquakes in the 17th century, the destruction of the earthquake Santo here to prosperity after the state in taxes on the introduction of many preferential policies to attract people to come here and settle here eventually prospered again.
walk the streets in the city, the most essential place in the City Hall area, where there is a 142 level, then climbed to the top the commanding heights of the ancient city, where ancient churches, and fine porcelain murals. Steps on both sides of the 142 is connected to the house, and there are shops selling exquisite pottery, as well as the steps associated with a small alley, in the setting sun, these ancient alley attracts you in-depth check it out. Here every step of the facade has a different picture from china to fight, it is highly ornamental, with every foot step of the screen there appeared. Standing on top of the hill turn extends to the distant city, every traditional festival, the town's residents will gather in the evening to 142 steps on the screen with a candle from the fight, continuing the city centuries-old tradition.
past and present intertwined," Tale of Two Cities"
Palermo: travel place to start
bar Palermo
took off from Rome to Palermo, the capital of Sicily, only 1 hour or so, this is located in the northern waters of Sicily Sicilian city witnessed the historical changes. Roman, Byzantine, Norman and Arab per capita in the city left their own civilization. Very lucky, these were preserved in Palermo, inclusive, not by war damage.Piazza Borsa Grand Hotel Hotel is located in the Roman Street, Wu Qi Liya area, about 30 km from the airport, which is a four building, converted in a monastery, surrounded by some of older buildings. There is a courtyard, ring the Arab courtyard-style arched colonnade.
play Palermo in two ways, if time is limited and want to see the main attractions of Palermo, fill, you can choose carriage ride .
300 years of poor hotel
ALBERGO DELLE POVERE is a 300 years of history, ancient buildings, the reason to mention, this historic building was once a charity It is built specifically for the poor hotel for the poor or homeless tramps provided free accommodation. Now a part of it as a university campus, the other part as exhibition hall, exhibition of the modern history of Sicily.
Archaeological Museum
Archaeological Museum
Palermo's archaeological museum is located in Wu Qi Liya area, turned out to be the Renaissance mosque, the courtyard of the corridor around Sicily on display during most valuable works of art. Go in, also a beautiful courtyard, there was a fountain, and plants, in the court corridors were filled with children around the ceramic utensils.
real art treasures on the second floor, where different categories are displayed Sicilian archaeological treasures, from ceramics, bronzes, and stone products , down to decorations. The most precious objects to be considered a pure gold, which is a greatest treasures, like the sunflower general, carved with fine patterns above. Second, the piece has to count Palermo stone, is Egypt's oldest stone Annals.
imagination in the Eastern world:
China Palace
China Palace
has shown signs of the Chinese Palace hard to turn the building linked with China, the external style is more like the Arab architecture, complex geometric decorative mosaic painting, and both sides of the attic stairs. Did not the shadow of China's classical architecture, but this truly exquisite palace but named China Palace.
China Palace fled from the eighteenth century over the king of Naples, built in the eighteenth century is the late Ming and early Qing China's turn period, the King of Naples did not personally been to China, been to China but from the description of the merchants and missionaries in China for the rich and big full of longing, so in the construction of the palace, begins with invited artist and architectural Naples division, according to the Chinese description of the imagination out of the way describe, in fact, from the architectural point of view, their imitation of the Arab countries of Central Asia's traditional architecture, it seems that no construction will be described in China's real clear.
down the stairs and on, there is a five marble columns hold up the porch, into the hall, blowing the element of China, the head murals and decorative paintings on both sides, neat and symmetrical. Dragon, peony flowers, and Chinese calligraphy couplet, though the Chinese elements, but not particularly accurate. Decorative painting the building still has high value, he will a king of ancient China describe the yearning desire to be realized. Middle of the hall is the king of the drawing room, the left side of his living room, bedroom with four doors and the dark staircase, you can easily go to the king everywhere.
Norman Palace
Norman Palace
Man ruled the palace is also the crystallization of different periods, first by the Arabs built a defensive fortress, and now some of the fortress palace at the bottom of the site as part of the cornerstone. After the Norman conquest changed the administrative office point here, and then after the expansion into the palace, so the palace architecture combines the style of different periods.
down the arches into the backyard, there is a spacious courtyard, a total of three layers, each layer are surrounded by tall arched corridor, Although there is no post here, especially the building beautifully carved, but the tall arched marble columns, great momentum, showing the majesty of kingship. The first floor of a corner store with the current king's carriage, the carriage can be driven directly out of the palace from here. Climbed down the steps of the second floor of large, into a humble little door, dim the lights, greeted Jing Si Amberpack brilliance - it is Tina Bara Chapel (Capella Palatina). The church was then used by the royal family only, mainly in the Byzantine style, a collection of a variety of elements, the church was built in 1102 years, the Arab-style mosaic floors, neat spell complex geometric patterns. The royal chapel is small, visually stunning but still as the Vatican's Sistine Chapel (only, less worthy of the former and" Last Judgement" comparable to the paintings through the ages.)
This palace is now a parliamentary seat in Palermo, on the third floor has been converted into office space Parliament, Norman in the fourth layer dynasty established by King Ferdinando building, where interior decoration very delicate, complex and beautiful frescoes, said to host the conference hall designed by the queen. The Queen is the French royal family relatives, a very hot French royal lifestyle worship, where everything is conducted with reference to the Palace of Versailles, with 300 years of history, head of the mural is recorded in the Islamic forces conquered the King Ferdinando , won the event rule Sicily. Living room is even more delicate, the walls are crimson blanket, together with fine iron and porcelain ornaments, to create a romantic and intimate salon environment. Simple and practical with rugged outdoor construction in stark contrast.
Old Library ;
Palermo's old library is located in the large number of ancient buildings group, facing the street, do not pay attention to see if the building, it is easy to be ignored. Into the tall porch, the building also has Arabic style, was founded in 1782, collection of 467,100. Chambers and the archway, there are many young students to chat. Here are some preserved centuries old paintings and old books repair center, the old director received us, to explain the story of the building, and the library collection. Than the most precious Chak Yin Duo Confucius translated books in Chinese and Latin were the" golden mean." The top floor of the library has a viewing platform, a great view, you can watch Palermo street.
Eternal City, Catania
Catania
as Sicily's most famous tourist city, which Three dependent on its unique cultural treasures: the city of Baroque art, musicians Bellini's hometown, and active volcano Mount Etna.
God-given work of art: Etna volcano
comes to Mount Etna, Catania are very calm, and his words have not been to this active volcano city to bring the pain and slight resentment. Although the city of Catania Mount Etna in the history of repeated catastrophe, but it is always tough new lease of life from the ashes. It also created a Catania optimistic, strong character and attitudes. They have a special affection for Mount Etna, generations reflects environment Everyday stubbornly persists from generation to generation. Mount Etna, Catania, that God has given a work of art of Catania, Catania is a valuable asset.
MF Design Exhibition
family during a visit to Palazzo Biscari private residence when the accident found to have a well-known private house rented part of the local fashion designers showcase works of architecture. The designers are good at is the local elements of Sicily applied to clothing. Such as the Sicilian ceramics, shellfish and coral. Of course, they also designed the Coca-Cola in the bottle design, and some wine bottle icon. Display area in the range of work clothing to another room in workshops, where everything is hand-tailored, very precious.
guest family Palazzo Biscari
Catania Although the ancient 17th century building was once Mount Etna eruption destroyed too, and now the city of Palermo is to be relatively younger, but there are still many hidden stories of the ancient buildings in the old streets. Which as a private residence Catania Santo is a family.
This seaside village close to the old mansion, through the heavy door, mottled wall, wind and rain erosion left behind multi-channel mark, the family was as mayor of Catania, who held the first art exhibition in Europe and renowned the world. Although the walls of this large Zhaizi empty, but the house murals and decorative art as rare treasures. Still rare to maintain the current look, the old piano room, a small salon next to the house, the family hung on the wall some old photos, next to Sharon's house is the largest event hall, his head still bright frescoes on the dome , cloth flowers, painting the walls of some Chinese elements, a mosaic on the ground geometric pattern. This huge building is part of the family descendants of the allocation of flats living area, while there are some exhibitions. Standing in the open atrium, several hundred years old house unreservedly presented in front of people lamenting the years change.
This chapterfrom the:China Travel and Tourism Guide (http://www.u86.net),visit the above web site.