Sicilian villages are amazingly steadfast and stoic.
I am constantly impressed by the way they have been constructed a top the mountains in the most unlikely places as if they have always been a part of the landscape.
This is Ficarra in the province of Messina which casually lounges on the Nebrodi mountains looking out to the Aeolian Islands.
We know of a natural water fountain where we refill our drinking water bottles which looks up at the village, as we fill our cups we hear the Ficarra church bells playing Schubert’s Ave Maria down to the valley.
I love these hilltop villages – like Erice and Savocca. When I was in Turkey in the fall, we visited Sirence – outside of Kusadasi and I was reminded of the Sicilian villages I so enjoyed.
Yes Katharine, there is something about ancient places which makes them connect easily to one another, many people have told me they see similarities between Sicily, Turkey, Greece, Morocco etc. It is fascinating …