If you like to watch movies, you must know that Italy has produced three of the greatest works: The Beautiful Legend of Sicily, The Pianist of the Sea, and Cinema Paradiso. The three films, also known as the Sicilian trilogy, were directed by Italian director Giuseppe Donatore, who Gao Xiaosong mentioned several times in his "Dawning Talk" that his favorite tour guide was Donatore.
The beautiful legend of Sicily
If you put it on the World Movie Chart, all three movies are in the top 10, I don't think it is too much. In today's era of visual effects, it's hard to have that kind of shocking classic movie anymore. The so-called classics are remembered no matter how long it takes, just like the Sicilian trilogy.
There are many more famous works about Sicily: the greatest film series of all time, The Godfather, the novel The Sicilians, and even the classical work The History of the Peloponnesian War, which describes the history of Sicily, a magical land that has influenced many stories all over the world.
If you like to travel, don't miss Sicily, which has similarities to many parts of the world, but is also different. Every city, every village, seems to have a lot of stories.
Palermo
Palermo is the capital of Sicily and the most populous place. However, Palermo is a city that looks old, and the Square of Four Songs is the center of the city, where the Italian national hero Garibaldi once shouted the classic slogan: Rome or Death. Palermo Cathedral, the Norman Palace, the Teatro Massimo, all have a unique personality. Palermo Cathedral is the kind of place that is impressive at first sight, and the Teatro Massimo is the largest opera house in Italy, where "The Godfather 3" was filmed, and the old Godfather Mike lost his daughter, sad, and cried for a long time.
Shame Hot Spring
And in Palermo, there is also the catacombs, one of the world's top ten horror spots, with 8,000 corpses hanging on the wall, just an arm's throw away from tourists. And here, there's a mummy in her 90s: a 2-year-old girl. The doctor mummified the little girl, which was well preserved, and now it looks as if she is sleeping. No one knows how the doctor kept the little girl. And this tomb itself is a legend, because people stumbled upon ancient methods of preserving mummies, so a group of noble people with status were placed here, and later generations often changed their clothes. Nearby, also became a scenic spot.
Bagheria
I once saw a movie on the movie channel of a foreign hotel called "Baaria", the movie was not translated, it was all Italian, but I was deeply attracted, from the beginning to the end. This great film, an autobiography of Sicily, was Tornadore's masterpiece after the trilogy. Although not famous, I really, very much enjoyed the film, even though it was filmed in Tunis.
The place where the film takes place is Bagheria, in the local dialect, called Baalria, only 10 minutes away from Palermo. And this is also where Donatore was born and raised. Home to the greatest director in Italian history.
Bagheria is not a tourist attraction, and not many tourists go there. I walked in this small town where time stopped, and many people saw me a little strange. And when I was taking pictures, there were old Italian ladies who wouldn't let me take pictures. They don't want more tourists coming and disturbing their lives. Calm, afternoon sun, old man basking in the sun, is Baaria.
Bagheria Cinema
Dome of the Church of Bagheria
Fountain in front of the church
Cefalù
Cefalus is a little further away from Bagheria. This is where Cinema Paradiso was filmed.
Do you remember the famous line? If you don't go out, you think you're seeing all you have. This phrase is useful for most people today.
Cefalù is an ancient city by the sea, close to the sea, backed by high mountain cliffs, and in the distance, it is the city under the cliffs. Unfortunately it was raining when I went, and it would be very beautiful on a sunny day. The cathedral in the city is the central area, and the town is full of twists and turns, full of beautiful scenery.
It is possible to make an overnight stop here on the way from Palermo to Catania.
Cefalluy Mountains and waters
Peaceful life
Enigmatic small town streets
cathedral
If you don't go out, you think you're seeing all you have.
Agrigento
The name Agrigento is a bit like a Greek name, and the city is world-famous for greece. Because the ancient Greeks once occupied Sicily, they came here in 800 BC and witnessed the most glorious era of ancient Greek history. Agrigento left behind the World Heritage Site "Valley of the Temples". In the Valley of the Temples, the ancient Greeks built a palace dedicated to the sun god, Zeus and other gods, which has been relatively well preserved for more than 2,000 years.
The Valley of the Temples is about 2.6 km south of Agrigento Railway Station, which can be reached by train from the train station. I walked past, and as soon as I got down there, there were locals who greeted me from afar and shouted "China, China."
Another attraction in Agrigento is the Turkish Steps, which need a chartered car to go, about 10 km. I think I still have a chance to visit Pamukkale. Most people choose to stay here for one night, but I don't think there is a need to stay one night, after visiting the Valley of the Temples, you can leave. My choice was to get here in Palermo and the train tickets were particularly cheap anyway.
Taormina
Taormina was jokingly referred to by Chinese as "China's Lijiang". Because this small city street has been very commercialized, similar to Venice, Lijiang, the street is lined with small shops on both sides. Taormina, on the other hand, must go by long-distance bus, because the train station is at the foot of the mountain, the city is on top of the mountain, and there are no trails to go up.
There is also the Greek Theater built by the Romans in the 2nd century BC, which has become a landmark here. The French writer Maupassant once said that if he had only one day to visit Sicily, he would not hesitate to choose Taormina. In addition, the famous French director Luc Besson's work "Blue Sea and Blue Sky" is mainly filmed here.
I didn't have too much affection for Taormina, on the one hand I didn't like the commercial streets very much, just as I didn't like Venice very much; on the other hand, I didn't see a better view when the torrential rains were continuous. However, I think that as the most recommended tourist destination in Sicily, you should stay here a little longer. Especially when the weather is clear, the sea scenery is very beautiful during the day and at night.
Catania
The two largest cities in Sicily, one is Palermo and the other is Catania, and it is clear that the latter appears richer than the former.
Catania is best known for its fish market, Piazza del Duomo and Ursino Castle. Go on a tour to see the volcano, usually also in Catania.
However, Catania is more of a transit point, and many people choose to stay here before going north to Taormina and the volcanoes, or south to Syracuse.
Accustomed to seeing many of Sicily's grand architecture, Catania's attractions are beautiful, but they don't have the feeling of amazement.
The city's football culture is very strong, the teams have been relegated to the Italian Serie C, and the imprint of Catania teams can be seen everywhere in the city.
Cathedral Square Landmark: Elephant Fountain. Historically, it was part of the Islamic State, so there are elephant buildings.
Fish market
The Italian wet market is common in the central square of ancient architecture
Young people in Italy
castle
Syracuse
Another translation of Syracuse's name is Syracuse.
It's famous for an extremely impressive film, the beautiful legend of Sicily.
The classic shot in the movie, Monica Bellucci, walks through the square every day, the wind blows her hair, and the beauty makes everyone around her look sideways. When World War II came and the Germans occupied the area, she had to commit herself to different people in order to survive, and was finally scolded as a slut. After the Germans withdrew in defeat, the women who were jealous of her rushed out, beat her, lost her hair, and all their jealousy was vented. At the end of the film, Monica pesters her husband who returned from the war, both of whom are exhausted, she is also old, her face is no longer there, but she has been forgiven by others, and the women have begun to warmly welcome her.
In the classic shot, men love Marlena and women hate Marlena
In the early morning, the Cathedral Square, which is not yet crowded, will be crowded during the day
The square that Monica Bellucci walked through is located on the island of Ortigia, a famous tourist destination, and many tourists come here to recall her walks in the movie. Time is a pig-killing knife, and the memories of many people are also the memories of themselves.
In the book "History of the Peloponnesian War", the city-state headed by Syracuse is also introduced, and it is also introduced to the Spartans. The Athenians, because of their constant victories and arrogance, sent the most powerful fleet to attack Syracuse, but what they did not expect was that the most powerful army in the history of Athens was completely destroyed here, which directly became a turning point in the Peloponnesian War. From then on, Athens was passive until it was defeated by the Spartans. However, it is difficult to explain history, the Athenians, who were not slaughtered, later rose again, while the victorious Spartans gradually weakened because of their victory.
Unique umbrella church
The interior of the church is also dreamy
Noto
Noto and Syracuse are jointly designated as a World Heritage Site. Noto is far less famous than Syracuse, but the architecture and scenery are more beautiful. I think noto is a rare and beautiful city.
Although the city is not large, the city architecture is magnificent, full of baroque buildings, golden cathedrals, long streets, let people come here at the first sight of the shock.
However, the city is very small, and it is basically all about walking around in two hours, so there is no need to stay here for a night.
Honey-colored Noto
Modica
I once met a couple of Italians in Thailand, talked about the day, and mentioned Modica, and the Italian said to the people around him with a very exaggerated expression, if you taste Modica's chocolate, you will forget the whole world.
For me, or for anyone I brought back to taste chocolate for someone around me, it was hard to eat...
Modica is italy's chocolate city, which still follows the Aztec method of making chocolate more than 500 years ago, not as sweet as today's chocolate, but a little astringent. The most famous is the Gubonayato Chocolate Shop, easy to find and right in the city center in a striking location. Their chocolate is very famous, importing cocoa powder from the Americas, and the small shop is full of tourists who can taste it casually. However, I think their chocolate is quite expensive, and it also charges the brand's fee, which is not very cost-effective. Of course, the streets here are full of chocolates.
Modica Gufa Chocolate
Modica is absolutely unexpected, the scenery of this mountain city is too spectacular, especially at night, at the beginning of the lanterns, the mountain city view centered on the cathedral, like a painting, is so beautiful that people can't move their feet. I think Modica is definitely the most neglected city in Sicily, and just for this night view, it is worth a visit.
Imposing cathedral
The clock tower where prisoners were once held
Night modica
brief summary
Due to time, Mount Etna, Messina, and the two small southern cities of Jera and Ragusa did not have time to go. However, the place to walk is already the essence of Sicily. Sicily is world-famous for its movies, and the pizza and pasta are delicious. From Catania you can go to Malta by plane, you can go by boat, the distance is very close, the plane is 1 hour away. Malta's natural beauty and ancient city are also very beautiful.
A unique Sicilian cuisine, with rice in various flavors wrapped in fried dough
In terms of transportation, train tickets are particularly cheap, and there are several euros wherever they go, and up to 10 euros. Long-distance trains are also very cheap, all a few euros, therefore, there is no need to buy a European Rail or Italian Rail Pass. If you go to the local supermarket, you will find a lot of things that are much cheaper than in the country. Of course, if it is a restaurant to eat, it is similar to the domestic price. In terms of accommodation, it was also convenient. I remember where I stayed in Syracuse, I was alone, the host simply gave me the keys, taught me how to use the coffee machine, and in the morning I enjoyed the various foods in the restaurant alone.
Before you go to Sicily, try to look at the relevant movies and books, especially the trilogy.