Sicily Trinacria Sicily enjoys a magnificent natural heritage . Despite its 25 000 km², the island has a wide variety of landscapes : plains and coastal strips where grow pine, lemon or almond, oak or chestnut forests, hills and high mountains ... This solar island has also more a thousand kilometers of coastline with clear water. A paradise for lovers of swimming and diving. But how about the Sicily without mentioning its two active volcanoes, Stromboli (in front of Catania) and Etna? Their rise is really a memorable experience. Its turbulent past, the island was built an identity , unique mixture of brutality (the Mafia, the cult of death, honor ...) and good life (nap, fine cuisine, elegance ...). Sicily (Italian: Sicilia ) forms the largest island in the Mediterranean and belongs to Italy. With its adjacent islets, Sicily covers an area of 25,708 km², slightly less than Belgium. Located just southwest of Italy which it is separated by the Strait of Messina, just 3 km wide, Sicily Island form an autonomous region since 1948. Sicily has the shape of a triangle with three points, headlands that the Sicilian flag symbolizes three legs bent at the knee radiating from the head of a Gorgon (Medusa, probably). This region, including Etna is the most famous Mount because of its volcanoes, is weakened by earthquakes. The flag of Sicily reproduces a Trinacria , the symbol of the island. Trinacria means the Island to Three Points, the name the Greeks gave to Sicily, as it was called Sicania time of Sicilians and Sicani. The symbol is inspired by the triskele, a coin of the day on which depicted a Gorgons head surrounded by three legs. Found everywhere on the island that famous symbol that illustrates this futile race traces the complex history and constantly renewed. This symbol is inspired by that of the Isle of Man : the Triskel Manx , to be a representation of the Celtic Trinity. History The Sicilians form a whole complex of different peoples . Indeed, because of the many conquests during their history, the Sicilians are at once These are probably among all Mediterranean peoples, most mixed. The official language of the island has been Greek, Latin, Arabic, Norman French, French, Spanish, before being Italian. But never the Sicilian itself has achieved this status. Prehistory Around 14,000 years BC, humans landed the Sicilian coast. The first inhabitants, at least in the north of Sicily and in the Aegean Islands, were the Sicani , a population of Iberian origin. They would have given as a name to Sicily: Sicania . Due to the strategic location of the island, trade relations developed rapidly, especially with the Greek world, Asia Minor, Italy and also with the northern North Africa and Spain. To the Bronze Age (c. 8000 BCE), the Elymians (believed to be the Trojan refugees from Asia Minor) settled in Sicily and founded colonies. Followed the Sicilians (Asians) in 1270, which occupied the most fertile land in Sicily. They drove back the Sicani to the West. This is the Sicilians we owe the current name of the island they called Sichélia who later became Sicilia (Sicily in French). Then there was the Ausonians (1240) came from the Italian peninsula. Phoenician and Greek time period Roman Period Middle Ages Kingdom of the Two Sicilies Modern Era Tadition Sicily is truly a land of traditions. The tradition of traditio Latin, tradere (delivered) is the transmission of doctrines, legends, customs, way of thinking or acting in the generation time to generation. In Sicily, the traditions are derived from religious beliefs but also popular. They are also the result of a multi cultural heritage. They play an important cultural role in Sicily, they influence and punctuate everyday Sicilian. They are manifested by the transmission of beliefs, rituals, customs, know-how, a way of life. These traditions still followed today gave the whole Sicily unity and strong personality ... The symbols of the popular tradition Carretti e Pupi The cart (quarry) is the symbol of desertification campaigns since it was once the only mode of transport enabling farmers living in the city to join their fields. The wagon was proudly decorated with frescoes high color restoring the Norman conquests in Sicily. Today, carts are rare but traditional frescoes can be found on surprising media such as tricycles or fiat 500. The Opera dei Pupi is a Sicilian tradition since ancient times to tell the Sicilian history of invasions. The puppets that are found today in Sicily are inspired by Norman conquests, we find Charlemagne, Roland Renaud. The tradition throughout life The popular and religious festivals Economy and Society Sicilys geographical and historical diversity climate, produced a society of contrasts. The Sicilians yet have a strong sense of identity. For centuries, they put a point of honor to defend their difference (in the spirit of independence, he used to call the rest of Italy the mainland). Today more than others Mediterranean regions, the Island is at the crossroads of tradition and modernity. Sicilian society attempts to reconcile modern life and ancestral customs deeply rooted. Sicily is one of the poorest regions of Italy was due to implement a more cost effective and streamlined economic policy despite the strong presence of the feudal latifundia system. Similarly, the fervent spirit of civic and demographic Sicilians faces that remains of the mentality and mafia practices. The Mafia is one of the Sicilian creations the most notorious. The sociolgues and criminologists around the world have tried, in vain, to explain this phenomenon. The mafia is it simply a criminal organization stronger and better organized than others, in part because of the massive emigration of Sicilians across the Atlantic at the beginning of the century? Or is it an anti-government movement whose leaders took advantage of the strong independence which dentiment tourjours carctérisé Sicily? Is the Mafia the instrument of a few landowners rest of those who once dominated the island and who are determined to maintain their power? Or is it a combination of all these factors that have an other working fertile ground in skepticism and pessimism innate Sicilians? Whatever the answer, eliminate mafie is one of the great challenges of Sicily. Gastronomy The Sicilian cuisine is closely linked to its history, its religious and cultural life. This is why its gastronomy is varied and complex, marked by the different cultures that settled in Sicily past two thousand years, going back to the heritage of Magna Grecia, cooking of French nobles, to the Arab desserts, Jewish cuisine, etc .. In Sicily, it only uses the olive oil virgin, both for cooking and for seasoning. Butter is little used (in pastry). The main dishes are mostly vegetables , the fish and seafood . The meat is traditionally much less cooked. The fish, considered as basic ingredient (used as inputs that dessert), can be flavored with oil and garlic or with olives and capers, breadcrumbs and orange. The herbs are abundant: basil, parsley, mint, bay leaf, oregano , rosemary, sage, wild onions, fennel seeds and jasmine, pine nuts, raisins, toasted breadcrumbs, orange peel, lemon peel, etc ... capers, garlic and onion are also often present in preparations, sometimes bittersweet. Almonds (which we did a milk), walnuts and pistachios are also frequently consumed in the preparation of desserts and drinks, but also to flavor rice and pasta. Antipasti include: the antipasti di fruto di Mare . The meal often includes a vegetable dish (beans, beans, lentils, chickpeas ...). In the Province of Trapani, a popular specialty is fish couscous prepared with semolina. Also the Caponata the sfincione . Sicilian culinary tradition is rich in fast preparations , simple and inexpensive in takeaways, such as pane e Panelle of Palermo, fries, or the arancini : breaded topped with rice, vegetables and meat. Also for those who are not in a hurry: The pasta, the pasta is also a Sicilian creation: macaroni was born in Sicily around 1250. The Sicilian specialties like Pasta al Nero di Steppia , Pasta con le Sarde , Pasta alla Norma , Pasta ncasciaca . Pizzas not in the region but it may be noted the Sicilian pizza , Also purely Sicilian specialties: Fish: Pesce Spada alla Ghiotta , Sarde a Beccafico , Tonno al Forno Meat: braciole alla Siciliana Soups: Maccu , Zuppa di Pesce The island also produces different varieties of cheese , including the foreshore sheep . It also has a strong tradition of wine with 28 native varieties and 21 DOC wines . Do not forget the wide variety of desserts (fried, baked, or spoon) as the most famous cannoli , which are often linked to religious traditions. They are frequently the fresh or dried fruits, often based on ricotta sheep, honey but also chocolate . The latter is produced by craftsmen Modica and crafted to Palerme.Un cake of Arab origin the cassata , classic Sicilian dessert, is a biscuit filled with ricotta, sugar, chocolate and candied fruit (in the Trapani area is covered with almond paste. The ice cream and granitas have an important place in the Sicilian daily life for centuries, with hundreds of different tastes, which the kernel used to excellent granita ( granita alla mandorla ). Sicily does not default to its reputation of Italian ice this in islands I have tasted the best ice in the world, reluctant at first because the presentation seemed trivial. I tested, tasted, and I became a true addicted! the ice especially Tiramisu. Daily We rented a vehicle to move more freely in Sicily, I was amazed by the Sicilian conduct a little special The greatest vigilance is needed while driving: The Sicilians have a curious design of the pipe and a total disregard for traffic. Signaling pannaux, including stop seem placed there for form. The use of the horn officially banned, however, is highly recommended and frequently practiced. The right foot always prèt to press the brake. Do not leave the eye vehicles ahead, or follow you around you, because the reactions of their driver can be unpredictable and confusing. Keep in mind that the priority is for the party who claims with more determination. When congestion, they are often inextricable in the city, and the most total anarchy at certain hours, often caused by a vehicle whose owner I stopped to chat for a moment. I even saw before me a driver to stop, get out of his car and go shopping!. Passeggiata Sicilian something good, the evening from 18H, the streets come alive: the passeggiata, a ceremony that has its rules. Girls go arm in arm, under the admiring gaze of the boys, according to a fixed parcour for generations, with one step at a gelateria . This parade tends to be replaced over the years by the passeggiata motionless motor It is fashionable to indulge in his admiration of others machina in which we remain locked up as in a theater dressing room to observe the movement the street. Young people have yet another technique: They backfire their horses as if they were leaving for the Paris-Dakar.
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 08:32:55 +0000
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