UNESCO, an agency of the United Nations, chooses sites all over the world to be a part of their World Heritage program. What this means is that the sites chosen has special cultural or physical significance. In June 2013, Mt. Etna, located in Sicily and the most active stratovolcano in the world, was added to the list of World Heritage Sites. Over 2,700 years of Mt. Etna’s activity have been documented, and its history can be traced back for about half a million years. The site is a popular location for research and study. If you go to Sicily, you should not miss viewing this volcano! While you’re there, there are several other UNESCO World Heritage Sites that you might want to check out:
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Necropolis of Pantalica and Ancient Syracuse: These are two sites in one, and they contain artifacts of both the ancient Greek and the ancient Roman worlds. The Necropolis of Pantalica contains over 5,000 tombs, some dating back as far as 1300 BC. The Syracuse is home to a Green amphitheatre as well as a Roman theater. These sites were listed as World Heritage Sites in 2005.
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Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto: In 1693, the towns of Southeast Sicily (including Caltagirone, Catania, Modica, Ragusa and Noto) were devastated by a severe earthquake. Their rebuilding signifies a great collective undertaking, and the architecture and artistry is breathtaking. UNESCO added these Baroque towns to the registry in 2002.
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Isole Eolie: The Isole Eolie, or Aeolian Islands, are located off the coast of Sicily. Made up of seven volcanoes, the archipelago has provided researchers with a lot of information about volcanoes in general. The islands were added to the World Heritage registry in 2000.
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Villa Romana del Caselle: This luxurious Roman villa was built in the third century BC, and features gorgeous mosaics and other details that portray the importance of the structure. Added in 1997, this is a site that you won’t want to miss if you are in this region of the world.
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City of Agrigento: Agrigento was the first World Heritage Site in Sicily, and was added in 1997. This was one of the greatest Greek cities of the ancient world, and many of the structures and relics remain intact. These include the Doric Temples, which portray Greek art and architecture.
Studying ancient relics and natural sites is fascinating, and UNESCO makes it simpler to find these gems by listing important sites on the World Heritage registry. Make an effort to visit Mt. Etna or any of the other UNESCO sites on your next trip to the historic and romantic island of Sicily. Several Italy escorted tours begin in Rome and visit southern Italy including Sicily, or you can choose to spend all of your time visiting just Sicily.
View of beautiful village Ragusa at sunset, Sicily
