The Grand Tour was a long trip undertaken by young European aristocracy, starting in the 17th century, with the aim of enriching their knowledge. It could last a few months or several years and usually included Italy as a destination.
During the Enlightenment, in contrast to the sumptuousness expressed by the Baroque style, scholars began to turn their attention to the vestiges of Greek and Roman art.
This meant that Magna Graecia and especially Sicily became preferred destinations, where it was also possible to observe rare or unknown plants such as the banana tree or sugar cane, as well as extraordinary natural phenomena such as volcanoes.
Therefore, Sicily played a fundamental role in the study of classical antiquities, becoming a must-see place for scholars, researchers and artists.
