Museum sights in Sicily
-
A
Museo Diocesiano
The Museo Diocesiano houses an important and rather extensive collection of artworks from the cathedral and churches destroyed during WWII; these include paintings, and marble, fresco and mosaic fragments. There's a friendly guide who will explain the significance of each piece (they are largely unmarked), though she speaks Italian and French only.
The ground floor holds 15th-century frescoes, along with Byzantine paintings and icons, among which the most beautiful is the 1171 Madonna della Perla, rescued from the now-no-more church of San Nicoló Reale.
Seek out the room dedicated to the 17th-century Sicilian painter Pietro Novelli (1603-47), who was one of the region's f…
reviewed
-
B
Archaeological Park
The archaeological park is divided into two main sections. East of Via dei Templi are the most spectacular temples, the first of which is the Tempio di Ercole (Temple of Hercules), built towards the end of the 6th century BC and believed to be the oldest of the temples. Eight of its 38 columns were raised in 1924 to reveal a structure that was roughly the same size as the Parthenon. The magnificent Tempio della Concordia (Temple of Concord) is the only temple to survive relatively intact. Built around 440 BC, it was transformed into a Christian church in the 6th century. The Tempio di Giunone (Temple of Juno) stands high on the edge of the ridge, a five-minute walk to the…
reviewed
-
Castelbuono Castle
In 1316, Francesco I Ventimiglia built the absolutely enormous Castelbuono Castle that gave the town its name (from castrum boni), and which soars above the golden patchwork of houses. The castle is divided into areas that cover archaeology, and the castle's and Castelbuono's history (with religious artefacts and jewellery), and several rooms are dedicated to modern and contemporary art exhibitions; sadly, none of the paintings are marked or explained.
The castle is supposed to be haunted by Queen Constance Chiaramonte, who it is said runs along the corridors, regular as clockwork, every first Tuesday of the month. Right in the heart of the castle is the extraordinary Cap…
reviewed
-
C
Museo Archeologico
About halfway up the road from the archaeological park and towards town is the Museo Archeologico, housing a large collection of well-explained (in Italian and English) artefacts from the excavated site in a series of rooms. The last rooms hold artefacts from around the province - be sure to check out the wonderful ceramic bowls and bronze helmets.
reviewed
-
D
Museo Alessi
The Museo Alessi houses the valuable contents of the cathedral's treasury. It was unfortunately closed in April 2007 due to a lack of funds, and locals and visitors are eagerly awaiting its reopening, which will happen as soon as the lacking funds are found.
The museum's collection was originally the property of Canon Giuseppe Alessi (1774-1837), who left the collection to his brother with the intention that he then donate it to the Church. Eager to make a profit, Alessi's brother sold it to the Church in 1860. Some of the pieces are stunning, such as the golden crown of the Madonna, encrusted with jewels and enamels, by Leonardo and Giuseppe Montalbano; it dates from 165…
reviewed
-
E
Museo Archeologico Baglio Anselmi
Marsala’s finest treasure is the partially reconstructed remains of a Carthaginian liburna (warship) in the Museo Archeologico Baglio Anselmi. Sunk off the Egadi Islands during the first of the Punic Wars nearly 3000 years ago, the ship’s bare bones are the only remaining physical evidence of the Phoenicians’ seafaring superiority in the 3rd century BC. The ship resonates with history – especially if you see it after you visit the excavations on San Pantaleo – giving a glimpse of a civilisation that was extinguished by the Romans.
reviewed
-
F
Museo Archeologico Eoliano
The fabulous Museo Archeologico Eoliano is one of the very best museums in Sicily, tracing the volcanic and human history of the Aeolian Islands. It is divided into three sections: an archaeological section devoted to artefacts from the Neolithic period and Bronze Age to the Roman era; a classical section with finds from Lipari’s necropolis (including the most complete collection of sensational miniature Greek theatrical masks in the world); and a section on vulcanology and finds from the other islands.
reviewed
-
G
Museo Archeologico Ibleo
South of the cathedral, off Via Roma, is the Museo Archeologico Ibleo, an important archaeological museum housing finds from prehistoric times and from the Greek site at Camarina on the coast. Also of interest are the ceramics from the caravan centre of Scornavacche, including a reconstructed kiln. Don't miss the mosaic-floor remains from Santa Croce Camerina, near the end of the loop around the museum. Unfortunately, if you don't read Italian, gleaning information about the finds will be a problem.
reviewed
-
H
Museo Archeologico Regionale
North along Via Roma, the Museo Archeologico Regionale, in a Renaissance monastery, displays some of Sicily’s most valuable Greek and Roman artefacts. The galleries surround a gracious courtyard and display treasures from Selinunte such as a series of decorative friezes depicting classical scenes, full of humour and energy. In one, Perseus gleefully beheads the Gorgon, and the Cercopes twins, hanging upside down, laugh at the sunburnt bum of Hercules. There’s good wheelchair access.
reviewed
-
Bronze Age Village
Head south to Punta Milazzese, about a 30-minute walk past a couple of beaches, to see the Bronze Age Village, made up of 23 huts, which was discovered in 1948. It is reckoned that the headland here was inhabited as far back as the 14th century BC, while pottery found at the site shows distinctly Minoan influences, lending credence to the theory that there were ties between the islanders and the Cretans. The artefacts found here are on display in the Museo Archeologico Eoliano on Lipari.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
I
Museo Nazionale Pepoli
Adjacent to the Santuario dell’Annunziata, in a former Carmelite monastery, is the Museo Nazionale Pepoli. It houses the collection of Conte Pepoli, who made it his business to salvage much of Trapani’s local arts and crafts, not least the garish coral carvings – once all the rage in Europe before the banks of coral off Trapani were decimated. The museum also has a good collection of Gagini sculptures, silverwork, archaeological artefacts and religious artwork.
reviewed
-
J
Museo Archeologico Paolo Orsi
In the grounds of Villa Landolina, about 500m east of the archaeological park, is the Museo Archeologico Paolo Orsi. It contains the best organised and most interesting archaeological collection in Sicily (and one of the most extensive archaeological collections in Europe) and certainly merits a visit. The opening hours are all over the place and are often extended in summer; check with one of the tourist offices. The museum is wheelchair accessible.
reviewed
-
K
Museo di Preistoria e del Mare
The Museo di Preistoria e del Mare is located at the tip of the promontory in the Spanish fortress Torre di Ligny. It houses a collection of prehistoric artefacts and medieval objects recovered from shipwrecks off the coast. From the top of the tower there are great views over the town. Highlights are Titian's San Francesco con Stigmata (St Francis with Stigmata) and the Pietà by Roberto di Oderiso.
reviewed
-
L
Complesso Monumentale San Pietro
Housed in a beautiful restored building, the Complesso Monumentale San Pietro attracts locals and visitors alike. A former Benedictine monastery (dating from the 16th century), it has permanent exhibitions on Garibaldi, an archaeological section with an interesting fragment of a sculpture of Eros catching a ride on the back of a duck, and items from Lilibaeo's necropolis. Another area is dedicated to folk traditions.
reviewed
-
Museo Etnografico Pitrè
The Palazzina Cinese houses the Museo Etnografico Pitrè, Sicily's best ethnographic museum. It holds over 5000 objects, including traditional costumes, pottery, puppets, votive offerings, torture instruments and a model of the 18th-century Carrozza di Santa Rosalia (a massive cart used to carry the effigy of the saint through the streets during the Festino di Santa Rosalia).
reviewed
-
M
Museo Regionale d’Arte Medioevale e Moderna
Closed indefinitely for restoration at the time of research, it houses a respectable collection of sculpture and paintings dating from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Its highlights include Byzantine icons and Caravaggio’s La Sepoltura di Santa Lucia (The Burial of St Lucy; 1608). The palazzo itself is Ortygia’s finest Catalan-Gothic mansion.
reviewed
-
N
Museo delle Lacrimazione
The Museo delle Lacrimazione, underneath the Santuario della Madonna delle Lacrime, explains the events of the miracle of the weeping Virgin statue and the objects associated with it. It also houses the best of the 5000 terracotta votive statues that were found near the sanctuary. You can view the excavations, in Piazza della Vittoria, from outside the fence.
reviewed
-
O
Museum of Ancient Greek Theatre
Every summer the Teatro Greco is brought to life again with a host of classical dramas, details of which you can obtain from the tourist office or the Museum of Ancient Greek Theatre. The museum showcases some of the wealth of material housed in the archives of the Instituto Nazionale Dramma Antico, including models, designs, playbills and costumes.
reviewed
-
P
Museo Archeologico di Palazzo Varisano
On the far side of Piazza Mazzini from the cathedral is the Museo Archeologico di Palazzo Varisano, which has a good, if small, collection of artefacts (labelled in Italian) excavated from throughout the region. Of particular interest is the Attic-style red-and-black krater (drinking vases) found in the town itself.
reviewed
-
Museo Civico Antonio Cordici
At the top of Corso Vittorio Emanuele is the heart of the city, and the place where you'll find the Museo Civico Antonio Cordici. The museum houses finds from the town's necropolis, including a 4th-century head of Venus. The other piece worth seeing is an elegant Annunciation by Antonello Gagini.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Museo Regionale
The Museo Regionale houses works of art including the Virgin and Child with Saints by Antonello da Messina (born here in 1430) and two masterpieces by Caravaggio – L’Adorazione dei pastori and Resurrezione di Lazzaro.
reviewed
-
Museo di Mina Palumbo
The other excellent sight in Castelbuono is the Museo di Mina Palumbo, named after the naturalist Francesco Minà Palumbo. His collection gives an exhaustive insight into the Madonie mountains, and their botany, natural history, minerals and archaeology.
reviewed
-
Q
Museo Internazionale delle Marionette
On a jolly note, the Museo Internazionale delle Marionette houses over 3500 puppets, marionettes and glove puppets from Italy, China, India, southern Asia, Turkey and Africa. Delightful puppet shows are staged every Friday at 5.30pm.
reviewed
-
R
Museo del Papiro
The Museo del Papiro includes papyrus documents and products, boats and a good English-language film about the history of papyrus.
reviewed
-
Museo dell'Emigrazione Eoliana
The Museo dell'Emigrazione Eoliana in Palazzo Marchetti gives visitors an idea of the scale and effect of emigration from the Aeolian Islands.
reviewed
