Tours

TOUR 1: Siracusa
Siracusa, once the most important rival of Athens, founded by settlers from Corinth in 735 B.C. Our first stop is at Acradina, the site of the earliest Jewish settlement. We will visit the catacombs of S. Giovanni and the crypt of S. Marciano, who, according to the legend, was killed by the Jews of the city.

Then, we'll move to the island of Ortigia and walk in the narrow streets of the Giudecca (the ancient Jewish quarter). See the site of the Synagogue and the Miqwè- Jewish ritual bath, 11 metres below ground level, the most archaic that has ever been found in all Europe.

The tour ends in the Bellomo Gallery, where some of the tombstones from the Jewish medieval cemetery are displayed.

TOUR 2: Leonforte - Piazza Armerina - Caltagirone
First stop Piazza Armerina to see the ruins of a Roman Villa of Casale. The mosaics discovered here are celebrated among scholars of antiquity. In the afternoon, we visit the baroque town of Caltagirone known as "the city of ceramics". Ceramics have been produced here for over 1000 years.

Climb the Steps of Santa Maria del Monte, city's symbol made out of 142 steps decorated with splendid glazed majolica tiles.

TOUR 3: Mount Etna - Santa Venerina - Taormina
Short drive to the town of Agira. Visit the Synagogue site and the magnificent stone portal of the aron hakodesh with its Hebrew iscription. The portal, unique example of Jewish architecture, will give us an insight into the life of a small Jewish community in the heart of mediaeval Sicily.

Then, we will continue to the slopes of Mt. Etna. Weather and volcanic conditions permitting, we experience the lava fields and incredible views of Europe's highest and most active volcano.. Visit of the Greek Theatre and its antiquarium, where Greek inscriptions demonstrate the Jewish presence in the city since the classic age. Later, walk to the site of the Jewish quarter and the mediaeval convent of S. Domenico.

TOUR 4: Giardini Naxos - Taormina - Messina
Drive to Messina along the coast with a stop at Giardini naxos and Taormina, the world famous resorts of Sicily with their views and atmosphere.

then to messina, to explore the city - centre and its ancient Jewish quarter. Visit the Norman Cathedral- with its latin iscription against the Jewish city- community and the beautiful Palazzo Penso- Jewish family heritage. It will follow a visit to the Regional Archeological Museum that, amongst its artistic treasures, has a Hebrew synagogal inscription of unestimated linguistic value