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Escorted Jewish tour
of Sicily Sicily
has always been a microcosm: a composite world in which people of different race,
religion and language have clashed and met, leaving in the island a stratification
of extremely significant traces. One of this hidden part is, beyond all doubts,
the millenary Jewish presence in Sicily.
Living in the island till the Spanish
exile of 1492, the Sicilian Jewish community was one of the most important in
the Mediterranean area and was well integrated within the local component.
The following itineraries offer the possibility to travel into the past and to
regain one of the most fascinating pages in the history of Sicily.
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Jewish
tours in Sicily with
Moshe
Ben Simon* 
Jewish
tours (1 to several days) can be arranged all over Sicily according to travellers'
needs and time at disposal New
escorted Jewish tour of Sicily
See
Sicily from a Jewish angle | |
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History,
personages Doric architectures, streets' layout, flora. All useful information:
opening times, guided tours, admission charges | |
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Information
on villas, apartments and houses rental in Lipari, Salina, Palermo, Taormina,
Catania, Agrigento | |
| Help
to plan your Sicilian trip. Personalized travel programs that best suit your interests
and budget. | |
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Syracuse-
full day | |
The
tour starts in Acradina, the site of the earliest Jewish settlement.
We will visit the catacombs of S. Giovanni and the crypt of
S. Marciano, who, according to the legend, was killed by the Jews of the
city. Then, we'll move to the island of Ortigia and walk in the
narrow streets of the Giudecca (the ancient Jewish quarter). See
the site of the Synagogue and the Miqwè- Jewish
ritual bath, 11 metres below ground level, the most archaic that has ever been
found in all Europe.
The tour ends in the Bellomo Gallery, where
some of the tombstones from the Jewish medieval cemetery are displayed..
| | Messina-
half day | | Discover
the centre of Messina and its ancient Jewish quarter. Visit the
Norman Cathedral- with its latin iscription against the Jewish city-
community and the beautiful Palazzo Penso- Jewish family heritage.
It will follow a visit to the Regional Archeological Museum that,
amongst its artistic treasures, has a Hebrew synagogal inscription of unestimated
linguistic value. | | Messina-
Taormina- full day | | After
the above- described visit of Messina, we will drive south up to
the rocky city of Taormina. Visit of the Greek Theatre
and its antiquarium, where Greek inscriptions demonstrate the Jewish
presence in the city since the classic age. Later, walk to the site of the Jewish
quarter and the mediaeval convent of S. Domenico. |
| Catania-
half day | |
The
tour starts with a visit of the Cathedral, built at Norman times
and dedicated to Sant' Agata, the Patron Saint of the city. Some time will be
devoted to the inscription of the Jewish exile decree. Then, we'll move on to
the impressive Castello Orsino and its ponderous keep, erected by
Emperor Fredrick II in the Swabian period. See the Jewish symbols in the castle
architecture and the Greek inscription about some local Jews. |
| | | Catania-
Agira- full day | |
After
the above- described visit of Catania, we will drive to the picturesque
city of Agira. Visit the Synagogue site and the magnificent stone
portal of the aron hakodesh with its Hebrew iscription. The portal, unique
example of Jewish architecture, will give us an insight into the life of a small
Jewish community in the heart of mediaeval Sicily |
| Jewish
Palermo- full day | | Our
tour starts in the historical centre of the city, walking through the narrow streets
of the Jewish quarter and its fascinating remains. We will visit to the
site of the Synagogue and with the help of some descriptions made by Jewish
mediaeval travellers, we will discover the biggest Jewish community of the capital
city.
Later, we walk to the Duomo and the imposing building of the
Norman Palace for a deeper understanding of the social intercourse between
Jews, religious power and political power.
The tour ends in the splendid Norman
royal palace of the Zisa, built in Norman Arab style, that still keeps
a Hebrew
inscription and a Jewish candle-holder.
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