Scicli, the pearl of Baroque, a cradle of history and beauty set among the Sicilian valleys, enchants its visitors with its timeless magnificence. Elio Vittorini, in his“Cities of the World,” fervently describes the moment when a shepherd and his son stand before this marvel:“It is the most beautiful city we have ever seen…perhaps it is the most beautiful of all the cities in the world.”
A glorious past: from the Greeks to the Normans
Scicli’s millennia-old origins date back more than three thousand years, when ancient settlements dotted these lands. Later, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines and Barbarians left their mark on its history.
Scicli under the Arab gaze: a lush and prosperous land
Under Arab rule, Scicli flourished as never before. The words of the Arab historian Edrisi paint an idyllic picture of the city, with lush gardens and fertile fields that produced every good thing.
The epic of the Sicilian vespers: rebellion and redemption
During the tumultuous Angevin period, Scicli rebelled valiantly, joining the Sicilian Vespers uprising in 1282. This act of rebellion marked a turning point in the city’s history.
The baroque renaissance: the resilience of Scicli
Despite the ravages of plague and earthquake in the 17th century, Scicli rose again with grace and majesty in the Baroque period. Noble palaces and magnificent churches rose from the rubble, transforming the town into an architectural jewel.
An extraordinary architectural heritage
Late Baroque palaces such as Palazzo Spadaro and Palazzo Beneventano, along with earlier architectural evidence such as the Convent of the Cross, tell the rich and fascinating history of Scicli.
Nature and architecture: a perfect marriage
Scicli is not only history and architecture, but also unspoiled nature. San Matteo Hill offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the town, allowing visitors to embrace all its beauty at a glance.
Scicli: an unmissable stop in the heart of Sicily
With its opulence and limitless creativity, Scicli continues to enchant today’s travelers, transporting them on an unforgettable journey to the heart of Baroque Sicily.
