25 Feb 2020

The Greek theatre

The Greek theatre of Akrai is located at the entrance of the archaeological site and can accommodate up to 600 spectators. It is not dug into the rock but lies naturally on the slope. It was modified in Roman times and the space of the orchestra pit, where the choir is usually located, was reduced. ...
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25 Feb 2020

Commissioner

A commissioner is someone who orders a piece of work of any type and price. The person commissioning a piece of work can be a physical person or a company (for private work), or the State or Municipality (for public work)....
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25 Feb 2020

Michelangelo’s ionic capitals

The capital is the top of the column. It is a connecting element between the shaft and the upper structure that it must support. Michelangelo's ionic capital is a particular capital with a festoon that joins the two spiral-shaped elements at the sides....
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25 Feb 2020

The town hall of Montalbano

The town hall of Scicli, located in the historic centre of the Baroque town, is one of the places where the famous television series Inspector Montalbano is set. In the story based on novels by Andrea Camilleri, the town hall takes the name of Vigàta Commissariat. ...
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25 Feb 2020

The Church of San Bartolomeo

The church of San Bartolomeo (St. Bartholomew) avoided the tragic earthquake of 1693. Built in the early 15th century, it was renovated starting in 1700, maintaining some of the previous structures. San Bartolomeo stands in an incredibly evocative and fascinating place. It fits perfectly between...
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25 Feb 2020

Scicli through the eyes of Elio Vittorini

Elio Vittorini, one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, was born in Syracuse in 1908. His final novel, "Le città del mondo" (The Cities of the World), from 1952-55 unfortunately remained unfinished and described Scicli as follows: "The town of Scicli stands at the crossroads of three vall...
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25 Feb 2020

Ogival arch

The pointed or ogival arch is a typical architectural element of the Gothic period. What distinguishes it from other types of arches is the top, which has a pointed end....
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25 Feb 2020

Rose window

A rose window is a decorative element used for façades in medieval times. It is a large circular window with stone inserts that create a converging pattern in the centre....
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25 Feb 2020

Chocolate: the stuff of writers

Leonardo Sciascia, an Italian writer born in Recalmuto in the province of Palermo, used to meet up with Gesualdo Bufalino, an illustrious poet, in a small shop in Modica near the De' Barbieri staircase. Sitting opposite each other, Sciascia said, as he enjoyed a delicious piece of chocolate: "I'm ...
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25 Feb 2020

The County of Modica

The county was founded on 25 March 1296 when Frederick III of Sicily gifted it to Manfredi Chiaramonte for the courage he showed in the war against the Angevins and King James. It was a vast territory that included the cities of Modica, Ragusa, Scicli, Vittoria, Monterosso, Pozzallo, Chiaramonte, Al...
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