Page 91 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sicily

SICIL Y AREA B Y AREA  89
NORTHWESTERN

SICILY

Over the centuries, this area of Sicily has been
particularly exposed to influences from different
colonizing civilizations. The Phoenicians settled in
Mozia and founded harbour towns at Palermo
and Solunto. They were followed by the Greeks and
then the Arabs, who began their conquest of the island at Marsala.

These cultures are still very much alive a policy of preserving and reassessing
in the names of the towns and sights, in their history. Erice is one of these; its
the architecture, and in the layout of the medieval architecture and town plan
towns from Marsala to Mazara del Vallo. have been preserved, and many of the
But unfortunately, northwestern Sicily churches have been converted into art
is also one of the areas most affected by and culture centres, instead of being
the scourges of uncontrolled property left in a state of neglect. The same holds
development and lack of care for the true for Cefalù, Nicosia, Sperlinga and
environment. Prime examples of this are the two Petralias. There is also a good
the huge area of unattractive houses deal of unspoiled scenery apart from
between Palermo and Castellammare, the nature reserves. The areas around
which has disfigured what was one Trapani and Belice are fascinating, as
of the most fascinating coastlines in are the rugged valleys in the interior,
Sicily, and the squalidly reconstructed characterized by villages perched on
inhabited areas in the Valle del Belice, the top of steep cliffs with breathtaking
destroyed by the 1968 earthquake. views. Other beautiful sights include
However, there are other towns pursuing the Egadi Islands and Ustica.

The scenic hilltop town of Nicosia, originally established during the Byzantine era
Sunbathing and swimming in a sheltered cove, Riserva dello Zingaro

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