Hidden gems in Sicily

Hidden Gems of Sicily

This collection highlights Sicily's lesser-known historical and natural sites, spanning from the 4th-century mosaics of Villa Romana del Casale to the prehistoric rock-cut tombs of Pantalica. Architectural features include the ceramic-tiled staircase of Caltagirone, the Norman Venere Castle, and the brutalist Madonna delle Lacrime Sanctuary. The list also covers unique geological formations like the Ear of Dionysius cave, the white marl cliffs of Punta Bianca, and the Chestnut Tree of One Hundred Horses, recognized as the world's oldest chestnut tree.

José Luiz / CC BY-SA 4.0

Roman Villa of Casale

The Villa Romana del Casale is a large and elaborate Roman villa or palace located about 3 km from the town of Piazza Armerina, Sicily.

Vito Manzari / CC BY 2.0

Messina Cathedral

Messina Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Messina, Sicily.

Salvo Cannizzaro / CC BY-SA 3.0

Necropolis of Pantalica

The Necropolis of Pantalica is a collection of cemeteries with rock-cut chamber tombs in southeast Sicily, Italy.

Leandro Neumann Ciuffo / CC BY 2.0

Venere Castle

The majestic Norman castle is a truly fascinating sight. Sitting on top of a steep cliff it was used as a vanguard of the town of Trapani.

Anthos / CC BY-SA 2.5

The Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte

Scalinata di Santa Maria del Monte is a set of world-famous steps in Caltagirone, Sicily, Italy.

Michael Wilson / CC BY 2.0

Ear of Dionysius

The Ear of Dionysius is a limestone cave carved out of the Temenites hill in the city of Syracuse, on the island of Sicily in Italy.

Texaner / CC BY-SA 4.0

Benedictine Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena

The Monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena in Catania, Sicily is a former Benedictine monastery, located on Piazza Dante 30 in the city of Catania…

Antoine Pitrou / FAL

Mirto Palace

The Palazzo Filangeri-Cutò is a Baroque-style aristocratic palace located on via Maqueda 26 in the ancient quarter of Albergheria of…

G.dallorto / Attribution

Biscari Palace

The Palazzo Biscari is a monumental private palace located on Via Museo Biscari in Catania, Sicily, southern Italy.

Salvo Cannizzaro / CC BY-SA 3.0

Madonna delle Lacrime Sanctuary

Modern conical pilgrimage church and minor basilica built to commemorate a 1953 event where a plaster effigy of the Virgin Mary reportedly wept human tears. The concrete structure stands 103 meters tall and is the largest pilgrimage church of its kind in the region.