Isle of Man Decorative and Fine Arts Society SICILY Cultural Crossroads of the Mediterranean Thursday 04 - Wednesday 10 May 2017 Lying at the crossroads between East and West in the heart of the Mediterranean, Sicily has witnessed a succession of differing peoples and cultures. For centuries the island provided the link between Europe and Africa, and it is hardly surprising that layers of history have left a legacy of rich museum collections and fascinating archaeological sights. Its successive invaders, rulers and opportunists have contributed to the island’s cultural make-up, and throughout Sicily reminders of its turbulent and colourful past are much in evidence. Following the trade routes established by the early Phoenicians, the Greeks discovered the potential of the island and left their mark by way of some outstanding buildings, several of which have survived to this day. The Romans, too, found Sicily to their liking and went to great lengths to establish an important colony. This period of prosperity was interrupted in turn by Barbarians from the north and by the Byzantines prior to the arrival of the Muslims, who re-established the island as a centre of prosperity and who oversaw a period of stability of some three hundred years. The arrival of the Normans in the 11th century saw the beginning of a remarkable age in architectural achievements as the invaders introduced their aesthetic tastes and engineering know-how: the magnificent cathedrals of Monreale and Cefalù are just two reminders of the flourishing of the Romanesque style during this time. More recent times witnessed the construction of glorious churches and palaces as the Sicilian Baroque took hold during the 17th and 18th centuries, adding to a beguiling and enchanting mix of architectural styles found throughout the island. This kaleidoscope of successive cultures has also resulted in a varied cuisine which transcends even the ubiquitous culinary delights of mainland Italy. Our tour therefore will introduce us not only to some of the island’s heritage but also offers the opportunity to sample some of Sicily’s fine food and wines. THURSDAY 04 MAY 2017 styles, and the church’s interior is decorated with Independent travel arrangements to London Gatwick. We stunning mosaics, most notably the Mosaic of Christ with depart on a mid-afternoon scheduled EasyJet flight to Four Angels in the dome of the church. Palermo (please note that flights are not included in the tour price. Flight times are based on the 2016 schedule as The nearby tiny church of San Cataldo, distinguished the 2017 schedule is not yet available, and may be subject by its three pink cupolas, was erected in 1154 by Maio of to change). We will be met on arrival by our tour escort Bari, who was the Emir (Prime Minister) of King and local coach and will travel to the 4 star Mercure William. The church has remained largely unchanged Palermo Excelsior Hotel where we will check in for 3 since the 12th century and is a religious seat of the knights nights’ bed and buffet breakfast accommodation. of the Holy Sepulchre. There will be free time for lunch Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant and also some time at leisure at the end of the day for a this evening. little individual sightseeing prior to returning to our hotel. The evening will be at leisure. FRIDAY 05 MAY 2017 Today will be spent exploring Palermo, which is the largest and undoubtedly the most interesting city on the entire island, offering a fascinating kaleidoscope of Sicilian history. The city enjoys a marvellous setting against the harbour of La Cala, and its exotic flavour is evident everywhere in its mix of oriental and European architecture. Visits in Palermo will include the magnificent Cathedral, built by the Archbishop of Palermo in the late 12th century on the former site of a Mosque. The cathedral boasts several different architectural styles, including an impressive neoclassical interior, and houses a collection of Royal tombs and a fine treasury. The Palatine Chapel, located inside the Norman Royal Palace, displays a dazzling blend of mosaics and marble inlaid with gold, stone and glass, traditional SATURDAY 06 MAY 2017 Orthodox iconography and a painted Arabic ceiling. After breakfast at the hotel, we will embark on a visit of Sicily’s National Gallery, the Galleria Regionale, is Monreale, with special emphasis on Norman-Byzantine housed in Palazzo Abatellis, an imposing building in art. Our first visit of the morning will be the Cathedral Gothic-Catalan style built in 1490. The collection of Monreale. Monreale, from ‘Mons Regalis’ (Royal contains many famous paintings, including Annunziata by Mountain), is a town of some 25,000 residents located Antonello da Messina and Eleonora D'Aragona by on the slope of Mount Caputo (764 metres), Francesco Laurana. This will be followed by a visit to approximately 7 kilometres south of Palermo's centre. two of the most important churches in Palermo, La Its spectacular Cathedral is a striking mixture of Arab, Martorana and San Cataldo. The church of La Byzantine and Norman artistic styles framed by Martorana, also called Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio (St traditional Romanesque architecture, all combined in a Mary’s of the Admiral), was constructed by Admiral perfect blend of the best that both the Christian and George of Antioch in 1140. East meets West as the Muslim worlds of the 12th century had to offer. The orthodox Greek Christian combined Norman and Islamic beautiful mosaics in Monreale Cathedral are said to be one of the world's largest displays of this art, surpassed There will be time to relax or walk along the only by Istanbul's famous Basilica of St Sofia, once an harbour-side prior to dinner, which will be served in Orthodox church. Also of note is the splendid the hotel restaurant. colonnaded Benedictine Cloister of the adjoining Abbey, combining Arab and Norman architecture. MONDAY 08 MAY 2017 Relationships between Sicily and England during the We check out of our hotel after breakfast and travel to Norman period were strong and the mosaics in the apse the hill town of Piazza Armerina to visit the 4th of the Cathedral depict one of the first representations of century Villa Romana del Casale, believed to be the Saint Thomas Beckett. former villa of Maximianus Herculeus. This excavated Roman villa dates from the late Imperial period and the We will return by coach to Palermo and enjoy an floor is covered with delightful mosaics depicting afternoon and evening at leisure. mythological scenes and scenes from daily Roman life. There will be free time for lunch. SUNDAY 07 MAY 2017 We check out of our hotel after breakfast and travel In the afternoon we will travel to Syracuse, where we across the central hills en route to Agrigento, one of will check in to the 4 star Hotel Villa Politi for 2 the most powerful cities of the ancient Greeks. A light nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation. Dinner will lunch will be served in a local restaurant upon arrival. be served in the hotel restaurant this evening. This afternoon we will visit the Valley of the TUESDAY 09 MAY 2017 Temples, a vast complex of ancient Greek structures After breakfast at the hotel, this morning will be spent comprising mainly Doric temples, including the Temples exploring Syracuse. Located near the south-eastern of Herakles, Juno and the Olympian Zeus. The corner of Sicily on the Ionian coast, Siracusa (Syracuse) best-preserved temple is the Temple of Concordia, with was built on an ancient Greek settlement founded by its perfect dimensions, which dates back to the 5th Corinthians in 734 BC and has been described as one of century BC. The Archaeological Museum houses the most beautiful cities of the ancient world. It was the many artefacts and sculptures from the temples and the most important city in Magna Graecia, and for a time surrounding area. rivalled Athens as the most important city of the Greek world. More than any other modern city in Sicily, Syracuse manifests a visible continuity from its ancient Greek past, both historical and mythological. The morning will begin at the vast Archaeological Site, which is located in the Neapolis quarter of Syracuse and contains a Greek theatre, the remains of a Roman amphitheatre and the spectacular altar of the tyrant, Hieron II. There are also notable stone quarries called latomie, which include the so-called ‘Ear of Dionysos’, with its curious acoustics. The Archaeological Museum displays an extensive collection of artefacts from Siracusian temples, ranging from the Paleothic era to the Byzantine period, clearly illustrating the ancient Following our visits we will transfer the short distance to history of the entire province. our hotel, the 4 star Dioscuri Bay Palace Hotel where we will check in for overnight accommodation. We will then continue to Ortigia (literally ‘quail’), the houses. The grand 18th century Cathedral is most noted town’s oldest quarter, situated on an adjoining island, for its dramatic staircase, marble altar, and beautiful where we will visit the spectacular Cathedral, begun in frescoes, and houses the relics of Noto’s patron saint, St 1728 by the architect, Andrea Palma. The cathedral has a Corrado Confalonieri. The cathedral has undergone Baroque façade and contained within the cathedral is the extensive repairs after the dome collapsed in March 1996 Temple of Athena, which dates back to the 5th century following an earthquake. There will be free time for BC. Further highlights include the remains of the Temple lunch before we transfer to Catania Airport for our of Apollo and the beautiful Fountain of Arethusa.