Walking Through Sicily

 🌋 Catania & Mount Etna 

I began my Sicilian journey in Catania, and it immediately felt different from other cities I had seen. The streets were dark and shiny because they were made from volcanic stone.  Many buildings also had the same black color, which made the city feel special. These structures and streets are made from this stones because of the nearby active volcano, Mount Etna. Over centuries, t.hese volcanic materials accumulated and became a natural building resource for the city. It reflects how locals used natural sources throughout history. 

Mount Etna stands just behind the city. From almost anywhere in Catania, you can see it in the distance. When I was walking through the main square , I had the chance to see two of Catania’s most iconic landmarks: the Elephant Fountain and the Cathedral of Catania. Both are located in the heart of the city and reflect the culture and religion of the locals. 

 Etna was slowly smoking in the background. Even though it’s an active volcano, life in the city felt calm and normal. People were drinking coffee, walking around, and going to work. That mix of danger and peace made the place interesting to me. The locals are used to living with this fear, but if you ask me, I’d probably tell you that I couldn’t continue my life under such a risk. Then again, it’s easy to say that, isn’t it? 

🎭 Taormina & the Ancient Theatre 

After Catania, I visited Taormina, a small town on a hill by the sea. The streets were full of flowers and small shops. I walked up to the Ancient Greek Theatre, one of the oldest in the world. From there, I could see the sea and Mount Etna at the same time. 

While I was staying in Catania, I took a trip to Taormina, a beautiful hilltop town located to the north of the city. The journey itself was absolutely amazing with stunning views of the sea and Mount Etna. One of the highlights of my visit was the Ancient Greek Theatre of Taormina. This theatre dates back to the 3rd century BC ,it’s still in a very good condition, later expanded by the Romans. It offers breathtaking panoramic views of the coastline and Etna, and it’s still used today for concerts and performances. Standing there, surrounded by history and nature, was truly moving. 

⛪ Churches & Quiet Corners 

While visiting the churches in this city, I kept thinking about their history, the prayers once whispered inside, and all the memories people must have lived there. The atmosphere made it easy to feel an emotional connection and actually encouraged me to reflect more deeply on the place and its past. Before going, I had actually read about the history of these places, but seeing them in real life helped me understand everything much better. Being there in person made the stories feel more real and meaningful.

⚓ Milazzo 

Before going to the islands, I stayed in Milazzo, a small port town. It was not very crowded, and that made it feel more real. It was the kind of place that made me feel as if I had always been there as if I already knew its streets by heart. When I climbed up to visit the castle, I had the unexpected chance to witness a wedding ceremony. It was a deeply emotional and meaningful moment for me. The wedding invitation read: “Love is a simple thing even if you are as complicated as us. In the Sicilian city where the sun lasts longer and nature has created a paradise, we decided to celebrate the ‘magic’ of our love that created the Romanardo family.” 

As for the castle and its view, it offered a breathtaking panorama of the sea. The castle itself  Castello di Milazzo  is one of the largest castles in Sicily. Its history goes back to the 8th century BC, with roots in ancient Greek civilization. Over the centuries, it was  modified by the Romans, Arabs, Normans, and Spanish, becoming a blend of many cultures. Today, it stands not only as a symbol of military strength but also as a cultural and architectural landmark that tells the story of Sicily’s layered past.  

🌋 Stromboli 

I took a boat to Stromboli, a small volcanic island. The island is quiet and peaceful, but it has an active volcano in the center. As the sun started to set, I saw the top of the volcano glow red for a few seconds. It wasn’t a huge eruption, but it was clear and bright in the darkening sky. It was a simple moment, but very powerful. Just standing on the boat reminded me again how incredible it is that people in Sicily live with this danger every day and yet continue their lives with strength and grace. 

🍝 Flavors 

To be honest, I didn’t try a wide variety of foods  I mostly ate pizza, pasta, and croissants. I also had the chance to try some of their homemade wines. Everything tasted genuinely good, and even though the dishes were familiar, they didn’t taste like the ones back in Turkey. I believe cultural differences play a big role in that. I especially enjoyed the fruit wines they paired perfectly with the pizza. 

👫 The People  

Even though I went to Sicily with some prejudice — especially because of the stereotype that Europeans are raised to be more individualistic, and even “rude,” as we sometimes hear — the Sicilians honestly proved me wrong. I was pleasantly surprised by how kind and welcoming they were. Maybe it’s because the region is more tourism-oriented, but I found it very easy to navigate the places I was looking for, ask questions, and I never felt excluded. One thing that did catch my attention, though, was that many young people didn’t speak much English. I’m not sure why that is, but I often had to use Google Translate to communicate with them. 

🌅 Final Reflections 

 If I were to make one final comment, I’d say that Sicily left
me with beautiful memories and emotions that I’ll carry in my heart for a long time. Learning about the history of the places I visited was something I truly enjoyed, but walking through the streets, having fun with my friends, and discovering new places and flavors were definitely the highlights of this trip for me. If you ever get the chance to go, I highly recommend visiting the places I mentioned in this post. And if you do a bit of research on their history beforehand, everything will feel even more meaningful and fascinating. Wishing yo u all happy and joyful travels, see you in my next post!

Meva Turan