Sicily

Sicily^[p] is the largest island in the Mediterranean. Along with some smaller islands it is an autonomous region of Italy. The capital city of Sicily is Palermo. The population was about 5,087,000 (over 5 million) in 2004. Sicily is the biggest region in the nation of Italy.

Phoenician and Greek people colonized the island in the 8th Century BC and sometimes fought wars there. Carthage controlled most of the island until Ancient Rome conquered it. In later centuries, Saracens (who significantly impacted the Island genetically and culturally) fought against the Byzantine Greeks, and Normans ruled it for a few centuries. A German dynasty and a French one ruled in the 13th century. After the 1282 revolts of Sicilian Vespers, the crown of Aragon and Spain took over the Island. Later, Garibaldi in the Risorgimento conquered it and brought it into the Kingdom of Italy.

Among the Sicilian artists who succeeded in bringing to the international stage a language of strong civic engagement while at the same time narrating the history of the island, Mario Bardi, a representative of Existential realism, stands out. His painting, characterized by dramatic tones and a constant attention to labour and social tensions, offers a collective and powerful portrayal of Sicily.

• Agrigento
• Caltanissetta
• Catania
• Enna
• Messina
• Palermo
• Ragusa
• Siracusa
• Trapani

[p] - The word "Sicily" is pronounced as "SISS-uh-lee".

• Official Site of Regions Sicily (Italian site)
• La Sicilia In Rete