Troina - Alleys of History - Sicily 



Positioned between the mountains of the Nebrodi natural park in the center of Sicily, between lush hills and the tip of the Etna volcano that dominates the landscape in the distance. A breath taking show in the hot summers and the fresh shiny winters.

Inhabited by the Giants, the Laestrygonians, by the Sicani and the Sicilians, conquered by the Greeks and by the Saracens and finally liberated by the Normans. His origin is fascinating as a fairy tale. In 1061 Troin was elected as capital of the norman principality Ruggero the 1st.Muslims and Christians we have been able to live together here in peace and tolerance for many years. Of its past remain the walls that surrounded the city and neighborhoods with a strong Arab influence, as Scalforio (from the Arabic: out of the walls). Outside of the city center is the monastery of San Michele Nuovo, built during the presence of the Brazilian order of monks and yet full of charm and majestic though his rotten structure.In 1943 during the Second World War Troina was the  battle field between the US soldiers and a group of Germans entrenched in the town. The population had more than 100 dead and much of the town was reduced to rubble as shown in the photos of Robert Capa, internationally recognized as a proof of that violence. A copy of his photos can be seen in the museum "Torre Capitania", which preserves also dress replicas of the norman period. On the mountains near the village is it still possible to see the marks of the bombing and the protection shelters built up by the inhabitants.

Troina has to be enjoyed strolling through its narrow alleys, looking at the various late Baroque palaces from the 1500-1600. Is it worth it to make a stop in the nearby dam of “Ancipa", between the green hills of Sicily.


FOOD

 Do not miss the Festival of “Vastedda" where you can enjoy the typical "Vastedda co Sammucu", a flat bread (focaccia) stuffed with cheese (Tuma) and a typical sausage of the Nebrodi area, flavored with elderflower. The festival is held in mid-June, a time when there is plenty of elder, and white flowers are very fragrant being the essential element for the good success of this dish. Try also the "nfasciateddi" cookie baked in small pieces, consisting of a flour dough stuffed with cooked figs wine and sprinkled with chopped almonds. A real pleasure.


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