TRAVERSE 51
TRAVEL- SICILY
CHRISTINA ZOLA & EMILIO SALVATORI
DELIVERING UNFORGETTABLE EMOTIONS
Our motorbike journey to discover Sicily began at the southernmost tip of this enchanting land, long known as“ Trinacria”. The name taken from the Greek treis( three) and akra( promontories) – for its three extreme points: Punta del Faro in Messina, Capo Passero in Syracuse, and Capo Lilibeo in Marsala. If Sicily has a heart, it undoubtedly beats between the provinces of Ragusa and Syracuse, a region rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Here, you can admire the masterpieces of Sicilian Baroque, dive into the crystal-clear waters of Capo Passero, or discover unique archaeological treasures like the“ Villa del Casale” in Piazza Armerina or the Roman theatre in Syracuse.
The journey started among the dry-stone walls of the Sicilian countryside, a symbol of an ancient craft that marks the boundaries of fields and lines roads that soon turn into dirt tracks, offering off-road thrills. Built with skill, these walls are assembled without mortar, creating not just functional structures but true works of art that shape the landscape. It’ s along these paths that you immerse yourself in a territory made famous by the adventures of Inspector Montalbano, the literary character created by Andrea Camilleri and brought to life on screen by Luca Zingaretti. Through his stories, translated into over thirty languages, the world has come to know the charm of this part of Sicily.
Following these secondary roads, we reached the town of Scicli, a Baroque gem whose current beauty owes much to a tragic event: the 1693 earthquake that destroyed much of the Val di Noto. The reconstruction followed the architectural style then in vogue in Europe, giving birth to Sicilian Baroque, characterised by its imposing style, dramatic flair, and
TRAVERSE 51