Sicily

DVD. Naxos Scenic Musical Journeys. 60 Minutes. The Places Sicily has a remarkably varied history. From the ninth century BC it served as a Phoenician outpost and was later colonised by the Greeks, then became part of the Carthaginian Empire until absorbed by the Romans in the third century BC. After occupation by the Ostrogoths, in AD 353 it was reconquered by the Byzantines and subsequently ruled in turn by Saracens, Normans, Germans, French and Spanish. Only in the mid-nineteenth century was the island drawn into the unified country of Italy. The historical changes that Sicily has undergone are reflected in its culture. The Music The music chosen for this tour of Sicily is largely Italian, ranging from the Vienna Court Composer Salieri to Verdi and Leoncavallo. Other composers included are Mozart, Mendelssohn and Bach, the last represented by a characteristic Sicilian dance, and the Italian violinist and composer Paganini.

DVD. Cosmos Global Documentaries. 52 Minutes. With around three hundred and twenty thousand inhabitants Catania is the second largest city in Sicily. Its historical significance is clearly visible throughout the city's magnificent old district that is dominated by Baroque architecture. The city has few monuments that pre date the Baroque Period but it was not wars or battles that were responsible for this but a volcano that towers high above the island and that is located thirty kilometres from Catania: Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano has destroyed this city more than once. On the Ionic Sea in the south east of Sicily is Syracusa that in ancient times was a legendary city state. Greek settlers from Corinth founded the city in 734 B.C. and it soon enjoyed much fame and prosperity. South of Agrigento is the ancient sanctuary of the Valle Dei Templi, the legendary Valley Of Temples. An enchanting area that is more of a plateau than a valley is a truly unique and magical place. Selinunte is one of the largest archaeological sites in Europe. The Selinunte Acropolis, formerly known as Megara Hyblae, was an important building complex and was built in the seventh century B.C. In the immediate surroundings of the Acropolis a small urban centre developed that in later years had a population that numbered tens of thousands. Beneath Monreale Mountain and located on the coast, is Palermo, the capital of Sicily. The city dates back to the eighth century B.C. However, nothing remains of the time when the Phoenicians founded the ancient town of Panormus, Palermo's predecessor. The former summer residence of the Emir Of Palermo served as the palace of Norman king, Roger The Second. Up until the thirteenth century this luxurious Norman palace was a symbol of the wealth and power of the Normans. With its many fascinating ancient monuments, the remains of the CARTHAGINIANS, GREEKS and ROMANS, and with the glorious heritage of the Middle Ages and the charming influences of both the ARABS and the NORMANS, SICILY is justifiably known as, `A Treasure Trove Of History'.

DVD. Vista Point. 26 Minutes. Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and the most diverse region in Italy, a land of gods and natural forces and a place of ancient cultures. Catania in the north east of the island is Sicily's second largest city that has been strongly influenced by earthquakes and also the volcanic activity of Mount Etna. It is believed that Greek settlers from Chalkidi founded it and some centuries later it was conquered by the Romans, and later the Arabs brought the city a new wave of prosperity. Noto is a charming town with around twenty thousand inhabitants and it is one of the most beautiful enclosed Baroque towns in Sicily. However, many of Noto's historic buildings have been neglected for many years and are thus in somewhat less than perfect condition. The Catedrale Di San Nicol? also fell into disrepair as a result of continued neglect and this caused both its dome and part of its roof to collapse in 1996. A proud and mighty volcano rises above eastern Sicily. Mount Etna, the largest volcano in Europe, is the undisputed ruler of this fascinating Mediterranean island. The snow on the summit region of Etna obscures the fact that deep within the volcano is an unimaginable natural furnace with a temperature of around a thousand degrees Celsius. Marsala was given its name by the Arabs who called it `Marsal-Allah', `God's Harbour'. The monumental city gate is a reminder of the landing of Giuseppe Garibaldis on the 8th of March, 1860. In the mountain area close to Palermo, another wonderful city featured on our journey, is the picturesque town of Monreale, a townscape that for more than eight hundred years has been dominated by a single building. Monreale Cathedral was built due to a struggle for power between the Bishop Of Palermo and the Norman King, William. Sicily is exquisite. An ancient island of both discovery and pleasure.

DVD. 7 Days. 52 Minutes. Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and is the most diverse region in Italy, a land of gods and natural forces and a place of ancient cultures. Throughout the history of Sicily there have been many battles, rulers, cultures and religions. Prior to Roman rule both the Greeks and the Carthagians fought against each other. Later came the Arabs and the Normans. Catania is Sicily's second largest city and has been strongly influenced by earthquakes and also the volcanic activity of Mount Etna. Therefore only a few historical remnants have survived. However, after each disaster the city was rebuilt and the result is a Baroque city dominated by fascinating sights full of character and charm. A devastating earthquake in 1693 destroyed the original town of Noto and left it in ruins. Construction of the new town took almost 100 years until at end of the 18th century most of its buildings had been rebuilt. In addition to the geometrical design of its streets the remarkable architectural harmony of the town has been created by much use of ochre-colored sandstone. The privately-owned train, the Ferrovia Circumetnea, travels around Mount Etna from Catania to Riposto. A couple of kilometers outside Catania there are vast fertile fields. In the background is the mighty and more than 3,000 meter high Mount Etna, one of the most active and famous volcanoes in the world. Taormina is situated on a rock high above the Ionic Sea. The Teatro Greco was built out of the stone of Monte Tauro in the third century A.D. and five hundred years later it was enlarged by the Romans for gladiatorial battle. The old town ended at Porta Messina whose medieval palaces and villas have been preserved right up until the present day. A few kilometers from Palermo and set within a beautiful bay is Mondello sheltered by the slopes of Monte Pellegrino that contains a grotto, an altar and a pilgrims church, the Santuario Di Santa Rosalia. Here this fascinating journey comes to an end. Sicily is exquisite, an ancient island of both discovery and pleasure.

DVD. Cities of the World. 60 Minutes. The Messina Strait, the famous Greek theatre of Taormina, the archeological sites of Segesta and Selinunte, the marvellous Catania, the unique monastery and temple of Monreale, the picturesque Cefalu and Ragusa are all worth taking a look on the largest island of the Mediterranean Sea. The romantic Sicily, an island very rich in monuments and natural beauties, enchants every visitor. Let us take a walk on the streets of the capital, Palermo, let us refresh ourselves on the beach of Mondello, take a slide in the famous Citta del Mare, and go to the ever-foggy Erice using the cableway. We can enjoy the sicilian blood-oranges, drink a capuccino among the walls of Syracuse, and finally, take a walk to the still active Etna volcano.

DVD. Media Lab. 88 Minutes. Sicily features an interesting mixture of visitor attractions, from marvellous beaches and remote nature reservations to astonishing ancient cultural landmarks. Our trip through Sicily starts in Messina and leads southwards to Taormina, the gorge of Alcantara and further on to Syracusa then on to the Cape of Passero. Traveling back up from the south, our journey takes us northwards to Modica, Agrigento and Selinunte. Finally the trip leads into the inner parts of Sicily to Enna, Villa Casale, Piazza Armerina and a short trip to the Madonie nature reserve ending at the volcano of Mt. Etna.

DVD. On Tour. 26 Minutes. Our journey begins in Marsala along a captivating route that travels the west coast of Sicily, the Via Del Sale or `Salt Road'. Marsala derived its sonorous name from the Arabs who named it, Marsal Allah, `God's Harbour'.However, the city's origins do not date back to the Arabs but to the earlier Phoenicians. Marsala became famous throughout the world due to its popular dessert wine of the same name which was developed at the end of the 18th century by an Englishman. Sicily's west coast contains many small and atmospheric fishing harbours where for thousands of years the seafood here has been a vital source of both nourishment and income. The Sicilians and Phoenicians were the first to appreciate the region between Marsala and Trapani and thus transformed each of these towns into a busy centre of trade. The Salines were once of great economic importance as they represented the foundation of wealth for the people of the Trapani region whose unique climate, scenery and geography have created the perfect conditions for the salt that is harvested here. Along the entire route of the Via Del Sale the region's historic windmills rise up proudly from the Salines. In this part of the world a boat trip is an ideal way to experience old canals and salt fields and to gain an overall impression of the production of salt. With their combination of ancient cultivated landscapes, beautiful coastal regions, traditional fishing villages and last but not least the historic cities of Marsala and Trapani, the Via Del Sale still shines out in its importance as one of the most unusual and striking roads in Sicily.

DVD. Globe Trekker Video. The Mediterranean islands of Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily are the stepping stones between Europe and Africa. A mix of Italian, French and Moorish traditions visitors have long been attracted to the contrasting cultures and scenery of these three Mediterranean Islands. Traveler Ian Wright begins his journey on the French Island of Corsica, the birthplace of Napoleon, where he enjoys a wealth of outdoor activities. He then sails to the Italian Island of Sardinia to celebrate the S'Ardia festival and witness the fine horsemanship of the locals. Ians final destination is the Island of Sicily where he cooks up a storm with a local pasta chef before ending his journey on top of Stromboli's smoking and lava spitting volcano. Along the way --- $_$_START_LIST ? Hike a rugged Corsican mountain range. ? Drive an old Fiat Topolino through the hills of Sardinia. ? See a wild horse race in a remote mountain community. ? Work for your passage on a luxury yacht across the Mediterranean. ? Enjoy the Festival of Saint Rosalia in Sicily as the city comes alive with lights and people are showered with rose petals. $_$_END_LIST

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. For thousands of years the ruins of the magnificent temples in the Valle Dei Templi have risen up from the ancient city of Akragas and today Agrigento is now one of the most well known and most visited places in Sicily. In addition to the temple districts, in recent years the medieval centre of Agrigento with its narrow and romantic lanes has attracted an increasing number of visitors. In the 3rd century B.C. Akragas was conquered by the Carthaginians and later by the Romans, Byzantines and Arabs and over the years the size of the legendary ancient Polis was gradually reduced to that of a village. But Agrigento enjoyed a further period of prosperity under the Norman King, Roger The Second, who declared it a diocesan town. The classical splendour of the ancient temples of Agrigento leave an indelible impression in the memories of all those who experience them.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. On a mountain summit seven hundred and fifty metres above the Mediterranean is ?rice, the ancient town of Eryx. The well-fortified walls of its fortress once protected one of the oldest cities in Sicily. According to legend the Trojan, Aeneas, son of Aphrodite, established a town here after fleeing from the Greeks. First the goddess of love, Astrarte, was worshipped here followed by the Greek goddess Aphrodite, and then Venus who was worshipped by the Romans. Thus this location became a kind of `love mountain' and a popular destination especially with male pilgrims as it no doubt appealed to their more romantic nature. The medieval city centre of Monte San Guiliano, as today's ?rice was named by the Normans, has for many centuries remained almost unchanged. From the fortress, the Castello, there are clear views of the Sicilian coastline and Trapani Harbour, and far out across the Mediterranean. Beneath the walls of the fortress, in the 20th century ?rice also became known as a research centre for both meteorology and oceanography. ?rice is far more than just an historically rich settlement situated on a mountaintop. In the romantic ruins of the fortress above the former Acropolis, the atmosphere of ancient times still lives on.

DVD. Nature Wonders. 10 Minutes. Mongibello or `Beautiful Mountain' is what the Sicilians lovingly call Mount Etna, the largest and most active volcano in Europe. As it has developed, it has gradually taken over more and more land. Today, the Etna Massif measures more than 1,750 square kilometres. Due to the extremely fertile volcanic earth, this area contains an abundance of plant life and each of its numerous vegetation zones has its own unique charm. Huge quantities of carbon dioxide are emitted from the snow-covered summit although the white smoke from its craters is usually quite harmless. Even during its most destructive and dangerous moments, the fire spitting Mount Etna, or Mongibello as it is often referred to by the local population, indeed lives up to its reputation of being a truly `Beautiful Mountain'.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Noto is a charming town with around twenty thousand inhabitants and is one of the most beautiful enclosed Baroque towns in Sicily. However, many of Noto's historic buildings were neglected for many years and are thus in somewhat less than perfect condition. The Catedrale Di San Nicol? also fell into disrepair as a result of continued neglect and this caused both the dome and part of the roof to collapse in 1996 since when much has been done to repair the church. An indication of the wealth of Noto's former upper classes still exists today and the Palazzo Nicolaci Villadorata is one of the town's most prominent buildings. In spite of its wondersul architecture today Noto leaves a rather sleepy and almost unreal impression on its visitors. Yet perhaps it is the romantic atmosphere caused by its slow decay that makes this Baroque Sicilian jewel so intriguing.

DVD. Vista Point. 26 Minutes. Once known as the stronghold of the Mafia, Palermo, the capital of Sicily, has gradually improved its image and the joie de vivre of its inhabitants has turned it into one of the most lively cities in Italy. The monumental Palermo Cathedral is located on the edge of the Piazza Cathedrale, throughout the centuries a place for rendezvous, celebrations and justice. Following the city's conquest by the Saracens an ancient cathedral on this site was transformed into a Friday mosque and was later used for Christian ceremonies. When in 1072 the Normans conquered the island they were so captivated by this `paradise on earth' that they were careful to preserve it. They admired its oriental splendour and Arabian-Norman architecture but when the kings of Aragon attained power the golden age of Palermo came to an end. The Castello Della Zisa is the largest building of Arabian design in Palermo and in former times it was a residence situated within a regal park that was used for the royal sport of hawking. In a mountain area close to Palermo is the picturesque town of Monreale, a townscape that for more than eight hundred years has been dominated by a single building: Monreale Cathedral was built due to a struggle for power between the Bishop Of Palermo and the Norman King, William The Second. The Sicilian metropolis of Palermo has been both feared and loved but it most assuredly remains `a flower within a golden shell'.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Proudly and majestically the `E Temple' that it is believed was originally built in honour of the Greek goddess, Hera, rises up from the meadows of Selinunte. Although rebuilt in recent times, its columns are evocative of Sicily's colourful history. For many centuries little was visible of the once important city of Selinus that is situated on the border of the former Greek Empire. Tall sand dunes once covered the impressive architectural heritage of this coastal city, including the buildings of the eastern temple district. The ancient city was discovered in the sixteenth century by a Sicilian historian but it was not until the 1950's that the Hera Temple was restored. In 409 B.C. the Carthaginians attacked the formerly friendly city of Selinus, although the reason for this remains a mystery. The people of Selinus were unable to defend themselves against the military might of Hannibal thus large areas of the city were completely destroyed. Measuring around two hundred and eighty-four hectares, Selinunte is the largest archaeological excavation site in Europe and who knows how many more treasures may one day be discovered?

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. The sea has always been of great importance to the city of Siracusa. Greek colonialists first arrived here by boat and settled in Sicily and thus laid the foundations of the region's future prosperity. The attractive historic centre of the old town is located on the island of Ortygia whose buildings contain almost two thousand seven hundred years of history. When under the dictatorship of the tyrant, Dionysios The First, the town had a population of half a million that even surpassed that of Athens. Following a two year siege in 212 B.C. the Romans succeeded in conquering the metropolis. The Teatro Greco is one of the most beautiful amphitheatres of Ancient Greece and at the beginning of the fifth century dramas and comedies were frequently performed there. It once accommodated up to fifteen thousand spectators. Numerous colourful legends abound of the nearby Ear of Dionysios. The grotto is a wonder of acoustics in which even the most gentle whisper can be heard. Legend has it that the tyrant Dionysios used the phenomenon to eavesdrop on his prisoners. Siracusa is a fascinating and atmospheric place, steeped in history, myth and legend.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Valle Dei Templi or, The Valley Of Temples, contains the sacred sites and ruins of the ancient city of Akragas, today's Agrigento. Due to the transformation of a number of its temples into Christian churches, the greater part of Sicily's ancient sanctuaries have managed to survive to the present day. The ruins of the Zeus Temple are in stark contrast to the modern high rise settlements of Agrigento that are situated on the opposite side of the valley. The sanctuary is without a doubt one of the largest temples of its kind and was built by Theron in the 5th century B.C. The majestic Concordia Temple dates back to 425 B.C. and is one of the most well-preserved sanctuaries of Ancient Greece. The return to the aesthetic and textual ideals of Classic times could not have found a worthier or more splendid setting than the beautiful Valle Dei Templi.

DVD. Nature Parks A proud and mighty volcano rises above eastern Sicily, Mount Etna. It is the largest volcano in Europe and the undisputed ruler of this fascinating Mediterranean island. Despite the all pervasive presence of this volcano, the nearby hills and surroundings of Mount Etna have been inhabited by man for many thousands of years.