If you are intending to visit Sicily I highly recommend that in addition to the most popular tourist destinations of Taormina, Siracusa, Agrigento, Palermo and Cefalu that you also visit a small authentic Sicilian town unaffected by the tourism machine.
One town I can thoroughly recommend is my hometown Palazzolo Acreide.
However, this suggestion comes with some words of caution. Make sure you take your Google Translate App, as English is not commonly spoken, tourist accommodation is fairly basic and limited. Driving through the narrow streets can also be quite challenging and traumatic.
Palazzolo Acreide was recently the runner-up in an Italian competition to find the most beautiful village in Italy. It has a population of about 9,000 and being perched 670m above sea level enjoys milder summer temperatures and balmy nights. This is ideal for the popular late evening ritual of “passeggiare” (promenading up and down the main street or the park) and the many festivals and concerts that regularly scheduled to entertain the residents.
Location
32Km west of the port city of Siracusa
Main Attractions
- Theatro Grecco (the Greek theatre and Necropolis)
Initially founded in 664 BC as the first colony emanating from Greek Siracusa, Palazollo Acreide has a Greek theatre and the Akrai area has many necropolis with tombs carved out of solid rock.
- Festivals
Numerous festivals are held throughout the year with events, concerts and entertainment regularly scheduled throughout the summer months.The biggest and most important events are:
- Festa di San Paolo (held in the last week) of June celebrating the Patron Saint of Palazzolo Acreide (St Paul)
- Festa di San Sebastiano (held in the first week of August)
Both of these festivals include extraordinary daytime and night-time firework displays to the welcome the edifice of the saint leaving the church, on its way to being paraded around the streets of the city. The extremely heavy saint’s edifice is carried on the shoulders of loyal parishioners and accompanied by marching bands dancing troops. Loyal worshipers follow the parade often presenting babies to be blessed by the saint.
- Baroque Architecture
Raised by theearthquake of 1693 the city was rebuilt in Baroque style and there are many beautiful baroque cathedrals and buildings. Palazolo Acreide has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Of particular note is the world’s longest baroque balcony featuring 27 stone brackets each with different masks and figure
- Passeggiare
Join the majority of locals and take a leisurely late evening stroll up and down the main street or in the park, to catch up with friends and share a drink, coffee or late night snack.
Popular snacks include the famous Sicilian arancini, canoli, brioche and irresistible creamy gelati.
Joe Raimondo