For the LOVE of Sicily ❤️
Sicily is a southern paradise full of unexpected beauty, rich culture, sea breezes, and friendly communities. If it's not on your list of places to live/visit, maybe it should be.
Italy, as a country, is a special place that holds countless special places within its borders. If you’re on the road to a new life in Italy, perhaps you’ve honed in on a specific location that makes your heart flutter. Perhaps you’re still looking. Either way, the island of Sicily is an often overlooked option that truly deserves some attention. This week, we’re doing just that. Welcome to a Per Te issue dedicated to the magical island of Sicilia.
Podcast Corner - Sicily Will Win Your Heart 💚 ❤️
If you’ve been a part of the Smart Move Italy community for any length of time, you know that our Chief Dream Maker, Samantha Wilson, calls Tuscany home, but in this week’s podcast, she’ll tell you why a piece of her heart is in Sicily. From a piazza so beautiful it brought tears to her eyes to the incomparable food, Sam paints a picture of an island paradise that offers a unique combination of Italian culture and Mediterranean bliss.
Sam’s special guest and Sicilian native, Annalisa Pompeo of Go Sicily, provides her unique perspective on growing up in Sicily and calling the island home.
A Taste of Greece…in Sicily 🇬🇷 🇮🇹
Sicily’s history is a tumultuous one. As the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, she’s a valuable prize and has, consequently, been conquered by the Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Arabs, and the Normans (to name a few). Everywhere you look on this beautiful island, you can see remnants of the past and evidence of an eclectic history.
Nowhere is this more evident than on Sicily’s southwestern coast. Here you will find the town of Selinunte, which was once the powerful Greek city of Magna Graecia. Here you will also find an imposing, incredibly well-preserved Greek archeological wonder, Temple E, also known as the Temple of Hera.
Dating back to the 5th century BC and constructed from locally quarried limestone, this temple is massive, stretching over 20 meters high. A guided tour of this incredible landmark is well worth the money. You’ll marvel at the impressive Greek columns as you take in the breathtaking landscape and imagine what once was.
Curious travelers and history buffs alike shouldn’t miss this archeological treasure, which rivals those in modern-day Greece. Temple E is an impressive reminder of Sicily’s role in the development of civilization and a very tangible connection to the island’s ancient roots.
Have you seen this landmark in person? Let us know in the comments.
Opera dei Pupi - The Famous Puppets of Sicily
Sicily is famous for many things, some of them unexpected, like the very specific art form of puppetry. Originally inspired by Medieval poetry, these hand-crafted puppets were used to tell dramatic stories of knights, battles, villains, and heroic feats. Over the years, the stories have evolved to reflect a wide range of topics that typically convey classic messages of good versus evil. These puppets are far more than just toys. They represent a deep cultural tradition that locals cherish and work hard to preserve.
Sicilian puppetry has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The craftsmen (and women) who create these intricate performers are called Pupari. They train for years to meticulously capture tiny characters in wood and fabric, each reflecting unique personalities.
The puppeteers train equally as long to breathe life into the puppets with fluid movements and expressive gestures while narrators unveil plots full of adventure, struggle, and heroism.
Watching a puppet show in Sicily is a special experience that allows you to celebrate one of the most culturally significant art forms on the island. It’s not just for kids either, so the next time you’re there, be sure to catch a performance. You won’t regret it.
Have you been fortunate enough to see a Sicilian puppet show in person? Let us know in the comments.
Location Spotlight - Marzamemi, Sicily
Marzamemi, located on the southeastern tip of Sicily along the Ionian coast, is a lovely fishing village with ancient Greek roots. It has a breezy, laid-back personality that encourages lazy afternoons, evening strolls, and impromptu picnics on the beach.
Some may fill their days basking by the sea but there are plenty of other landmarks to see including Tonnara di Marzamemi (a historic tuna fishery dating back to the 10th century), Piazza Regina Margherita (the main square surrounded by pastel-colored buildings, and quaint cafes), and Chiesa di San Francesco (a charming 16th-century Baroque church).
Living in the South, especially as south as Sicily, means a bit of chaos on the roads, a sometimes unbelievable level of bureaucracy, and a slower pace of life (sometimes frustratingly so), but the upside cannot be denied. The Mediterranean climate, friendly atmosphere, and endless opportunities to explore are hard to resist (and why should you?).
If you’ve been bitten by the Sicilian bug and are considering moving there, you cannot miss this ⤵️ picturesque villa in Marzamemi. It features 2 separate units, a pool, and a sea view!
Want to see the details? Don’t forget to subscribe to Vendita for 30 property picks sent to you every Sunday ☕️. To subscribe via email, click here or join our Telegram channel. It’s completely free! Have you visited Sicily? Let me know in the comments.
ASA (Ask Samantha Anything)
Email us at sophia@smartmoveitaly.com to submit your questions.
Dear Sam: I love Sicily, especially the Sambuca area. As a soon-to-be-retired single woman, I’d like to consider moving there but I keep hearing that Sicily is chaotic, unorganized, and unsafe. To be fair, I’m hearing this mainly from friends who live in the North. Is there any truth to this? I don’t want to be disuaded, but sometimes I second-guess. Is there anything specific to Sicily that I need to be concerned about?
Dear Maria: Sicily is wonderfully chaotic compared to the North. It has a distinct culture with norms that may seem confusing to outsiders. But it's what makes it so charming, if you thrive on that kind of environment. But the smaller towns are not like cities. They are little eco systems steeped in tradition, family connections, and can offer a truly meaningful lifestyle. Time moves slowly in these towns and if your prepared for regular tasks to take much longer than your used to, and are able to lean in - there is a lot to love. Overall Sicily is safe but in cities, you need to use the same precautions you use in your home country. If your safety concerns revolve around the Mafia, let it go. Unless you are engaging in criminal activity you will have no worries. If you love it - go for it!
What’s Your Burning Question? 🤔
If you’re thinking about a new life in Italy, you probably have a pile of questions. Don’t worry. That’s to be expected. Is there one question that sticks out from the others? One issue that you just can’t seem to wrap your brain around? One unknown that’s holding you back?
Finding the answer may open the door to your next steps, and we want to help. Each week on the podcast, Samantha answers questions sent in from the community, so here’s your chance to clear up any confusion or clarify an unknown. Send in your inquiry now via voice mail. Then tune in to the podcast to hear the answer.
As always, thanks for being here and for being a part of the Smart Move Italy famiglia. A presto!