UNESCO Sicily
Sicily is the region in Italy with the highest
number of UNESCO sites
All UNESCO World Heritage Sites present in Sicily: Italy is the nation with the highest number of UNESCO sites in the world! Sicily, with its historical and natural beauty has 7 UNESCO sites and routes, which, when added to the 4 intangible assets, make Sicily the Italian region with the highest number of UNESCO sites.
What is the UNESCO?
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a United Nations agency created with the aim of promoting peace and understanding between nations through education, science, culture, communication, and information! The cultural heritage of a territory is understood more and more broadly and includes cultural resources both Material and Intangible.
The cultural heritage of an area is increasingly understood in a broad sense and includes both Material and Intangible cultural resources.
UNESCO MATERIAL HERITAGE
There are 7 properties in Sicily that constitute the material sites of UNESCO.
Heritage in Sicily
Palermo Arab-Norman and the cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale
Palermo Arab-Norman and the Cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale is a Sicilian itinerary that was included by UNESCO in the World Heritage List in 2015.
The itinerary includes eight sites located in the historic center of Palermo, one in the town of Monreale and one in the village of Cefalù.
The Archaeological Area of Agrigento and Valley of the Temples
Valley of the Temples of Agrigento is a Sicilian Archaeological Site that was included by UNESCO in the World Heritage List in 1997.
The site includes a number of important Doric temples of the Hellenic period of exceptional conservation.
Mt. Etna
Etna is a sicilian volcano that was included by UNESCO in the World Heritage List in 2013.
The Volcano is the highest and most active in Europe and one of the largest in the world.
Villa Romana del Casale
Villa Romana del Casale is a Late Ancient Sicilian Building that was included by UNESCO in the World Heritage List in 1997.
The structure includes a series of floors covered with small mosaic tiles, depicting different subjects depending on the destination of the room.
The late Baroque towns of Val di Noto
Late Baroque Towns of Val di Noto is a Sicilian Itinerary that was included by UNESCO in the World Heritage List in 2002.
The itinerary includes eight urban societies of the Val di Noto district (Caltagirone, Militello in Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa and Scicli), which were hit by the earthquake in 1693.
Aeolian Islands
Aeolian Islands are a Sicilian archipelago that was included by UNESCO in the World Heritage List in 2000.
The Archipelago includes seven islands (Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi and Panarea) of volcanic origin with a natural environment rich in flora and fauna and wonderful beaches.
Syracuse and the Necropolis of Pantalica
Syracuse and the Necropolis ruprestri of Pantalica is a Sicilian Naturalistic-Archaeological Locality that was included by UNESCO in the World Heritage List in 2005.
The 2 Sites include the historic center of Syracuse on the island of Ortigia and the archaeological area of Pantalica.
UNESCO INTANGIBLE HERITAGE
There are 7 assets in Sicily that constitute the intangible elements of UNESCO.
Heritage in Sicily
Mediterranean Diet
Mediterranean Diet is a nutritional model that was included by UNESCO in the World Heritage List in 2010.
The heritage, that Sicily shares with other regions and countries, includes genuine food derived from agriculture, sheep farming and fishing!
Puppet Opera
Puppet Opera is a puppet theater that was included by UNESCO in the World Heritage List in 2008.
The Pupari represent stories from the epic-chivalrous literatures, whose characters are Charlemagne and his paladins.
Vine to sapling of Pantelleria
The Pantelleria sapling vine is a form of Vine breeding that was included by UNESCO in the World Heritage List in 2014.
The Agricultural Practice, which dates back to the Phoenicians, consists in keeping the trees very low, so as to resist the wind of the island.
The art of dry stone walls
The Dry Stone Wall Art is a type of construction that was included by UNESCO in the World Heritage List in 2018.
The Art includes all the knowledge related to the construction of Stone structures massing on each other, sometimes using dry earth.
