Painterly Sicilian hill town and countryside at golden hour
Welcome to “Discovering Italy: One Region at a Time,” a new weekly CIAP series exploring Italy’s 20 regions, one at a time. We’re beginning with Sicily, an island whose history, landscapes, and food are deeply familiar to many Italian-American families in Chicagoland.
In our community, family roots often lead to towns such as Palermo, Bagheria, Sambuca, and Ciminna. Names that have also appeared in CIAP member spotlights. This first installment is an invitation to explore Sicily beyond family stories, or to use what you learn as a starting point for discovering your own.
Sicily beyond the familiar
Palermo and Taormina may be the best-known stops, but Sicily offers many rewarding places to explore. Here are a few that show the island’s range of architecture, history, and landscape.
Ragusa Ibla and the Val di Noto
In southeastern Sicily, Ragusa Ibla’s historic streets and Baroque buildings are part of the Val di Noto, a group of towns recognized by UNESCO for their Baroque architecture. Several towns in the area were rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1693. The result is a striking architectural legacy shaped by the reconstruction that followed.
Nearby Noto is another highlight, known for its cohesive Baroque streetscape. Modica, also among the Val di Noto towns, is known for its distinctive chocolate-making tradition. For background on the area and its UNESCO recognition, visit Visit Sicily’s guide to the Baroque Cities of the Val di Noto.
Erice and Cefalù
Erice sits high above the western Sicilian coast near Trapani. Its hilltop setting and medieval character make it a different kind of stop from the island’s coastal resorts.
On the northern coast, Cefalù pairs a seaside setting with an important Norman-era monument: its cathedral, founded in 1131 by Roger II. The cathedral forms part of the UNESCO-listed Arab-Norman Palermo–Cefalù–Monreale route, which reflects the meeting of artistic and architectural traditions in Norman Sicily. You can explore the heritage route through Visit Sicily’s overview of Arab-Norman Palermo.
Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples
Near Agrigento, the Valley of the Temples preserves the remains of ancient Akragas, a Greek colony founded in the sixth century BC. Its Doric temples and archaeological landscape offer a vivid connection to Sicily’s ancient Greek history. The archaeological area is a UNESCO World Heritage site; Visit Sicily’s Agrigento page is a useful place to begin planning a visit.
The Aeolian Islands
North of Sicily’s mainland, the Aeolian Islands offer a change of pace and scenery. This volcanic archipelago includes Stromboli and Vulcano, and is recognized by UNESCO for its geological significance. Island visits reward a little planning, especially if you’re coordinating ferry schedules and overnight stays.
A taste of Sicily
Sicilian food reflects the island’s varied history and regional character. Arab influence is one important part of that story, visible in ingredients and culinary traditions developed over centuries of cultural exchange. As in any region, recipes and preferences vary from town to town, and families often have their own way of doing things.
A few familiar favorites can help orient your menu:
- Arancini or arancine: rice balls with fillings that vary by place and cook. Even the name can prompt friendly regional debate.
- Cannoli: crisp pastry shells filled in the classic version with sweetened sheep’s-milk ricotta.
- Granita with brioche: a much-loved Sicilian breakfast pairing, especially welcome on a warm day.
- Pasta alla Norma: a Catania specialty usually made with tomato, fried eggplant, basil, and salted ricotta. Its name is associated with Vincenzo Bellini’s opera Norma; stories about exactly how the dish got its name are often told as local lore.
- Caponata: a sweet-and-sour eggplant dish with variations across the island.
- Bronte pistachios: prized pistachios grown around Bronte on the slopes of Mount Etna. Learn more about the protected product through Visit Sicily’s Bronte pistachio guide.
- Marsala wine and cassata: two more names closely associated with Sicily’s food and drink traditions.
A few practical notes for planning
Consider spring or fall. These seasons can offer comfortable conditions for sightseeing without the peak summer heat. Weather varies, of course, so check the forecast for your specific destinations and dates.
Choose your airport around your route. Palermo Falcone Borsellino Airport is a major gateway, particularly for western Sicily. Catania is another important option, especially if you plan to explore the east. The official Palermo Airport website provides current airport information.
Think about transportation beyond the cities. A rental car can make it easier to reach smaller towns and rural areas, though it’s worth checking parking, local traffic rules, and access arrangements before you go. For island-hopping, check ferry routes and schedules well ahead of time.
Write down your family’s town names. If you’re tracing Sicilian roots, knowing your family’s comune, the municipality or town, is an important first step in genealogy research. Ask older relatives how place names were pronounced or remembered, and look through family documents for birthplaces, marriage records, and other clues. A town name can help turn a broad family story into a more focused search.
Bring your story to the CIAP community
Sicily is a place to visit, of course, but for many people, it is also a family connection carried across generations. If you have a Sicilian heritage story, a favorite town, or a dish that always brings your family together, we’d be happy to hear from you. Share it with Salvatore at salvatore@chicagolanditalians.com.
CIAP welcomes Italian-American professionals, entrepreneurs, organizations, and businesses across Chicagoland. Whether you’re interested in meeting people at our events, or helping more people find your business through the CIAP Business Directory, there are approachable ways to get involved. Explore membership options or check the CIAP events page to see what’s coming up.
This is the pilot of “Discovering Italy: One Region at a Time.” Next week, we’ll continue the journey with another region, and another chance to learn, connect, and share what Italy means to our community.
