RG NAXOS
RG NAXOS by THDP
A REVAMPED FOUR-STAR BEACHFRONT HOTEL , SET IN GIARDINI NAXOS BRINGS OUT THE BEST OF THE MEDITERRANEAN CULTURE AND HISTORY .
The location
Giardini Naxos , founded in 734 BC by colonists from Chalcis in Euboea , and was the first Greek colony in Sicily . Ancient Naxos was destroyed in 403 BC , and the centre that rose in its place in the Middle Ages as a fishermen ’ s village . In the late 19th century elegant villas were built , used as holiday mansions by the upper classes .
The Greek heritage that remains in Sicily can be seen in the architecture of a few very important buildings . The Temple of Concordia , located in Agrigento , is the largest in Sicily and one of the most well-preserved Doric temples in the world . It is today a popular seaside-resort , that can be reached in less than one hour from Fontana Rossa airport in Catania , offering more than 40 hotels , and a great number of vacation homes .
A blend of Greek , Latin , Aragonese , Arabic , Lombardic and Norman-French , Sicilian can be said to be a language rather than a dialect of Italian . Throughout the year the island plays host to numerous artistic , cultural , and religious events . Sicilians love a celebration .
Every town or village has a patron saint and commemorates their name day with parades , fireworks , eating and drinking . Many more annual festivities revolve around local food and harvests such as sausages in Caccamo or pistachios in Bronte .
Opera and classical music are also well represented in Sicily . Palermo boasts the largest opera house in Italy , The Teatro Massimo . While the magnificent Taormina Greek Theatre , with Mount Etna as a backdrop , has an impressive summer schedule .
Sicily is undoubtably famous for its vibrant folk arts and crafts . Taking inspiration from rich history and brightly coloured fruits and surroundings Sicily has a number of unique crafts to explore for cultureoriented visitors . One of the best-known symbols of Sicilian folk iconography is carretto siciliano . The cart was a means of transport that combined functionality with the telling of stories and tales , serving as a kind of wandering picture book that variously depicted historical , literary , religious , or chivalrous events .
The ancient Phoenicians and Greeks brought their artisanal traditions to the island , creating amphorae ,
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