Whether you want to visit Sicilys fascinating

archaeological sites, walk along the sandy beaches or enjoy the delicious

cuisine, when you visit this part of the world you will be captivated. While

the most iconic and popular attractions on the island are guaranteed to excite

you, sometimes it is better to break away from the tourist trail to achieve the

full sense of a location. With this in mind, we have put together a list of some

hidden gems for you to discover when staying in one of our luxury villas in

Sicily.

The Norman castle in Erice





The Norman castle in Erice is also known as the Venus

Castle due to its history being related to the goddess of fertility. Where the

fortress lies now, it used to be a temple dedicated to Potnia, the goddess of fecundity,

worshipped by the Elymians, an ancient pre-Roman population that inhabited this

part of Western Sicily.

In the 12th century, the Normans used the stones of the

temple to build the castle, which was restored after a long period of decadence

in the 19th century by Count Agostino Piepoli. He had the pentagonal tower

rebuilt after it has been destroyed in the 1400s and created a beautiful

English-style garden, open to the public and destined to become a symbol of the

town.

Windmills





Located on a small island off the west coast of Sicily,

Mozia is steeped in heritage and history. There are many archaeological sites that

are based around the Phoenician settlement in the Mediterranean. However, it is

most famous for the windmills which provide the island with a picturesque

setting and create a great photo opportunity.

Gole dellAlcantara









Situated below the hills of the Etna, the Alcantara

river canyon was formed by the erosional process of the Alcantara river by

lava flows dating from an eruption in prehistoric times. You can take a

guided walk where visitors can wade along the river bed or follow marked trails

through the impressive natural scenery. The unique natural environment can

also be admired from the top, which can be reached on foot or by lift.

Catacombe dei cappuccini





Maybe not to everyones taste, the Catacombe dei cappuccini consists of 8000 mummies placed here from 17C to 19C. The mummies have been

preserved due to the very dry air. Initially, the catacombs were intended as a

burial place for friars, but with time, prominent people also came to be buried

there. The last burials date from the 1920s. A two-year-old little girl was

also buried here, the only one that was not mummified but embalmed using a

special procedure, which left her virtually intact as if she were asleep.

Segesta Temple





High up in a rocky area towards the west of Sicily, is this

beautiful and magical temple. Segesta was originally founded by the Elymian

people, one of the native people of Sicily. It was later ruled by the Romans

but declined in importance before being finally abandoned in around the 13th

century.

The 5th century BC Doric temple is truly magnificent as it

rises out of the landscape, its golden stone reflecting and almost radiating

light on a sunny day. Though never completed, it is one of the best-preserved

examples of a Greek temple, and so for the ancient history or archaeology fan,

it is unmissable.

A short walk from the temple takes you to the Greek (and

later Roman) theatre, which is an open Amphitheatre where in the summer Greek

plays are staged.

As the site of an ancient and important town which was

only abandoned in the Middle Ages, Segesta also boasts the archaeological

remains of many other times and cultures.

Although gazing at the 36 Doric columns is

enjoyable, some say what’s even better about the site is its surrounding view.

Have you visited Sicily before? Let us know what your

favourite hidden gems are by using our social media channels.

Image credit: Rachel

Friedman, Davide

DAmico, Riccardo

M, Gmihail and Felipe

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