Saint Lucy in Palermo: story of devotion and food

In 1646 Palermo was hit by a terrible famine that carried away lots of citizens. Because of this tragic event, survivors started to say prayers to Saint Lucia and while they were asking her for saving Palermo a miracle happened: a big ship full of corn arrived into the porto of the city, changing the fortunes of people otherwise destined to death.

Believe it or not, Palermo is a comic artists hotbed!

Comic books isn’t exactly the first topic that comes to mind when you think to Sicily, yet you’d be surprised. The Palermo School of Comics just celebrated its tenth birthday since the little animation studio Grafimated Cartoon joined the famous Milan School of Comics to install a branch in the southern Italy. Since then the School filled with experienced teachers who works for Disney, Bonelli, Marvel, DC, Soleil and many others.

Palermo and its secrets: 8 reasons to visit the capital of Sicily

There is a constant implicit in the trip: to start new adventures you have to be ready to change . Not radically , but just enough to catch up and back to the dream. Today, we want to suggest you 8 reasons to visit Palermo and fall in love with the capital of Sicily. Even if there are so many reasons why you will love Palermo we want to offer you some new point of view to plan your next trip, pack your bags and follow your adventure dream.

Trinacria: story of Sicily and its three capes

There is something special in Sicilian culture; there is always something you wouldn’t expect… in every street corner, in people attitude, while you are tasting Sicilian food: keep your eyes open, Sicily will get you. Sicily is a land full of charm and mistery and we want to unveil a few secrets about its ancient past and its name. Siculi and Sicani were the first inhabitants of Sicily, that was originally named Sicania. Although upon their arrival the Greeks called the island “Thrinakia” – meaning “island of the three capes” – because of its shape.

The old vinegar lady: sorcery and poisons

Once upon a time in Sicily “the old vinegar lady”, who was supposed to be a witch and a professional poisoner.

Her name was Giovanna Bonanno, she was born in 1713 and lived in Palermo during the reign of the Viceroy Domenico Caracciolo. We don’t know much about her life but one thing is sure: on 30th July 1789 she was executed by hanging because of sorcery.

The myth of Colapesce: the third column of Sicily

Sicily is a treasure chest of incredible stories. Myths and legends have been for long time the way to explain the unpredictable and the unknown. Maybe this is why lots of Sicilian tales are focused on the sea and his mysteries. The myth of Colapesce tells about a fisherman’ son, Nicholas from Messina. He was known as Colapesce because of his love for the sea and his skills under the water: everytime he dove into the seabed he resurfaced from the waves, ready to tell the incredible discoveries from the under water world.

The Myth of Aci and Galatea

There are so many legends about our land. Sicily is a casket of incredibile stories and the myth of Aci and Galatea is a great example of Sicilian tradition. Galatea – which name means “milk-white” – was a sea nymph felt in love with the young shepherd Aci. Because of this love the Cyclops Polyphemus became jealous for the handsome shepherd and killed him throwing a huge rock against. Galatea transformed the blood of Aci in the sources of a river.

Plumeria: the flower of Sicily

If you’ve been in Sicily at least once you must have noticed a white flower with a sweet-spicy scent inside Sicilian gardens or balconies? Well, that’s the Plumeria, also known as Frangipani or Pomelia, as they call it around here.
Sicilian women used to plant the Pomelia and give it to their daughters (or granddaughters) after the marriage to adorn their new home, and that’s why the flower acquired a deep meaning bound to a sense of familiar affection and heritage.

Legends of Sicily: the Hundred Horse Chestnut tree

We want to tell you a story, a short one don’t worry. There is a tree that is considered the oldest and biggest in Europe. It’s located in Sicily, in Sant’Alfio, a lovely hamlet near the Eastern slope of the Mount Etna. Believed to be between 2.000 and 4.000 years old, the tree is known as the Hundred Horse Chestnut tree. Why? It is said that under its huge branches the Queen Joanna of Aragon and her company of one hundred knights found shelter during a severe thunderstorm.