Baron Wilhelm von Gloeden - eccentric photographer living in Taormina

Baron Wilhelm von Gloeden (1856 – 1931) was a groundbreaking, eccentric photographer who lived in Taormina. While today von Gloeden is mainly known for his nudes (especially young males photographed with a homoerotic flavour), in his lifetime he was also famous for his landscape photography that helped popularize tourism to Italy.

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Sicilian lizard catching an insect

Lizard catching an insect as I watch. Cute creatures, these lizards!
Photo: Per-Erik Skramstad / Wonders of Sicily

Agricultural products introduced in Sicily by the Saracens (Arabs)

The Saracens introduced a variety of agricultural products superior to any they found on Sicily or elsewhere in Europe:

• an olive tree (still called la saracena) which gives a richer, heavier oil than the Greek olive
• the lemon tree
• the orange tree
• the mulberry tree
• the silk worm
• the date
• the pistachio
• the carob
• and the fig
• cotton
• sugar cane
• zibibbo grape

Links
Return to Wondersofsicily.net (the blog)
Wondersofsicily.com (the web site)

The Cathedral in Cefalù (Duomo Basilica Cattedrale)

Dramatically situated in front of the mountain Rocca di Cefalù, the Cathedral in Cefalù (Duomo Basilica Cattedrale) is one of Sicily's most important buildings from the Norman domination of the island.
Photo: Per-Erik Skramstad / Wonders of Sicily

Cappella Palatina, Palermo

Cappella Palatina (detail of the interior), Palermo.

Links
Return to Wondersofsicily.net (the blog)
Wondersofsicily.com (the web site)

Sicilian lizard catching an insect

Lizard catching an insect as I watch.
Photo: Per-Erik Skramstad / Wonders of Sicily

Links
Return to Wondersofsicily.net (the blog)
Wondersofsicily.com (the web site)

Seminario vescovile di Cefalù, Sicily

Seminario vescovile di Cefalù on the piazza below the cathedral. Building from the 16th Century.
Photo: Per-Erik Skramstad / Wonders of Sicily