SICILY IS A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND WITH DEEP HISTORY. [PART II]

The first part of the article can be read here

We continued our historical journey in Sicily. We switched to the arrival of power in this island nation in 1194 to the German family, Sweve, from the Normans. Since 1208, their heir, Friedrich II, has been the most brilliant ruler in the history of the island, he has become the true patron of art, science and literature, the government monuments are in Syracuse, Catania, Salemi and Agrigento.

With the death of Frederick II, the Pope, who never recognized the rights of Normandy to rule Sicily, provoked a war with Carl of Anjou. As a result of the protracted war, Charles moved his throne to Naples, and the situation was very difficult in Sicily.

In 1282 there was something called. "Sicilian Supper," when the Sicilians suddenly rebelled against France, as a result, Angevins was immediately banished from the island, and the Sicilians turned to the Spanish Aragonese to gain support, which came to power in Sicily.

Sicily has been under Spanish rule for almost 300 years. And then, under the Treaty of Utrecht, Sicily was under the management of Vittorio Amedeo II of Savoy from the royal family of Piemonte, a French-Italian dynasty. But after 5 years of mastering Sicily, the Spaniards suddenly decided to retake the island, but they met with sharp resistance from Austria. In 1720, Carl of Austria became the new ruler of Sicily.

In 1734, as a result of the Battle of Bitonio between Bourbons and Austria, Sicily, which suffered long falls under Spanish rule, and the son of the Spanish king Karl of Bourbon became King of Sicily in 1735. And the Bourbons then ruled the island for 125 years until finally in 1860. Italian national hero Giuseppe Garibaldi Sicily became part of the Italian unity kingdom.

And for the brave General D. Garibaldi, one of the small islands of Caprera in Sicily was generally a paradise of life, where he rested in 1882 at the age of 74. And in 1946, after the end of World War II, Sicily, for the first time in its history, became an autonomous Italian republic, and its parliament sat in the same building where it was ruled by Normandy eight centuries ago.

Thus, Sicily, which had traveled a very large 33-century history, when Greek, Roman, Normandy, Arab, French, Spanish, German and Austrian Byzantine civilizations took turns governing the island, finally achieving republican independence. We left the Sicilian capital, Palermo, to move to the westernmost region of Sicily, unfortunately, not the most popular and clearly tourist-undervalued, and in vain.

The presence of the airport in the largest city in the Trapani region with 68.5 thousand inhabitants makes it possible to facilitate the task of visiting tourists to get acquainted with the beauty and many sights in the region. They can be grouped mainly in architectural views in the big cities of Marsala, Cefalu, Montreal, and of course, in Trapani.

Natural attractions in the region are Zingaro (Gypsy), Egadi Levanzo Islands, Favignana, Marrettimo, medieval monuments on Mount Erice, ancient temples in Sedgeste and Selinunte, the Great Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, UNESCO objects, and finally, UNESCO rocks the most beautiful Turks (in Turkish rock translation).

There are also man-made landmarks in the region - the Salina Trapani reserve, where there is a salt museum located on a historic salt road in a 17th-century farmhouse where salt is ground using windmills.

The ancient Garage of Trapani appeared here in ancient Greece, they were the cause of the region's rapid development. This museum has a collection of photos and old equipment, on that basis you can present the entire process of salt processing, as well as exhibits of historical artifacts.

The westernmost city of Sicily in Trapani is a city of wind and salt, a sea that is very beautiful and clean sweeping almost all the walls of the city. And the city center still has traces of Arab history with magnificent castles and fountains, and based on its specific geographical location, the city has very important military and strategic interests, and not only as a historical center of salt production, it also preserves its artistic heritage rich.

Trapani is also known for its colorful environment, you just need to take the cable car to the top of Mount Erice, and you will see a panoramic view of the whole city with beautiful sea views.

This panoramic place above Trapani is also famous for its spectacular sunsets over the sea.

Finally, the last category of "attractions" in this region is the Sicilian Mafia. However, Sicily has long and stubbornly refused from the glory of the birthplace of the mafia, but the signs are historically more than seen west of Sicily. But this is a separate conversation, I previously described a mafia center that was generally accepted in Corleone. Mafia roots grew from the seventeenth century to the far away period of Byzantine rule in Sicily, when the Arabs tried everything they could to gain a foothold on the island which was very important to them.

Then there were voluntary associations of fishermen and farmers in the militia, who rebelled after the Arabs conquered the entire island in the late 20th century. The first closed community with special principles of honor was created - to be able to defend themselves and always respond to injustice. But then it is incorporated into the main mafia principle: an absolute demand to respect yourself and the ability to be grateful, the ability to defend yourself, loved ones.

A few words about Sicilian cuisine, which naturally absorbs the diversity of history of every nation and tribe that controls the island. The Arabs brought to the kitchen their commitment to rice and saffron, the Greeks to fresh vegetables and fruits, and the Romans to pasta. And in Trapani, for example, traditional "couscous" dishes, bought from Arabs. Locals love rabbit and pork dishes, meat dishes flavored with large amounts of spices. Naturally, seafood is very popular on this island, because it is available here in various variations.

The influence of former conquerors and rulers is still felt in the language and speech of islanders, Arabic and Greek words are often found. Visiting and relaxing in Sicily, you can and must immerse yourself in this unique, friendly climate. The best impression for you, friend, from visiting Sicily.