Friday, April 13, 2012

Sicily: witness the most beautiful city "the ancient capital of elegance"

Fifth Century B.C.GreeceThe lyric poet Pindar, songs of praise to the gods of famous, he was singing the Sicilian for "the most beautiful city", the magnificent Doric classical architecture, a Greek god is imagination from the sky to visit, let a person be in 2000 many years later, still can recall ancient elegance.

The Sicilian hymnsThe Sicilian hymns

Palermo hellfire and heaven of water

The history of Palermo, Sicily is the epitome of. From Hell's fire of desire and violence from heaven with tolerant belief in the water, made a delicate balance here, harmony.

"The four corners area" gorgeous grace of the baroque styleEvery kind of gadget shopEvery kind of gadget shop

The Sicilian, is a distant and mysterious place names, from many movies, you can vaguely see it a different look. It has "Cinema Paradiso" in a cordial and warm town amorous feelings, also has a "blue sky" in the vast romantic Mediterranean flavor, of course, there is the "Godfather", dark and can not be shown to others, the Mafia story. Look beneath the wing gradually clear the coast line of Sicily, and the capital of Palermo (Palermo) city crowded house, I have great curiosity, there are faint worry, whether this is a kind of place?

Although far fromItalyLocal, partial upper Island, Palermo is still a bustling city with nearly 700000 people, in Italy can be ranked fifth. The history of Palermo, is a microcosm of Sicily history, from the ancient Greeks originally, toRomeOne, to the Arabs, to Norman, to Defaxiying countries, without exception, the Mediterranean Sea fortress gem drool with envy, turns zuozhuang. But Palermo's special relationship, mafia - still in it and the other a secret but the influential organization (Mafia).

On Sicily, the modern history of Mafia organization, is not too long, carefully held up, in fact also began in nineteenth Century. Rob the rich and assist the poor from the defense of the homeland, evolved into the blackmail and impose exactions on, paid protection, territories unified until the assassination, but 100 years of progress. Its influence is profound enough, a similar organization in the future development, across the oceans, across the continent, appeared in many parts of the world. While the rooting Sicily Mafia growth nest, which is in Palermo area. The reason is very simple, because in the last 100 years, here is the economy developed, the rich gathered place. Correspondingly, no matter is the official organization, or non-governmental voluntary, with mafia struggle has not stopped, the result of the struggle, a temporary victory also has a tragic price - Palermo International Airport name, is a piece of the monument written in blood.

Palermo International Airport is the full name, Falcone-Borsellino Airport, which is composed of two names. Giovanni Falcone, justice of Italy, former Justice Department criminal law, against the Mafia, "banner" figures, May 23, 1992 was a remote-controlled bomb assassination on returning home in the vicinity of Palermo. Paolo Borsellino, another against the Mafia leader, Falcone's friends and comrades, in July 19th the same year in Palermo by car bomb assassination. Their efforts and blood, but also to promote the opposing and checking the Mafia career. Then it 20 years, many important Mafia leaders have been arrested, mafia activity is moderating, the life in Palermo seemed to restore the normal order. Just how realistic, but also to the city to find out.

Drove from the airport highway, into Palermo City, like suddenly caught in a maze, be accustomed to civilized social order here all gone. To Sicily before heard the confusion of the traffic in Palermo is a name, but only in the street traffic, just understand by "chaos" two words to describe it is far from enough. No car is in accordance with the drive, so the road two lane can be side by side extrusion four cars; no car will adhere to the "to" sign, then turn is a pile of cars vying with each other for the stopper; as for fast trunk road on the city, and for the pedestrian crossing lights set, and traffic once stopped, will hold a hawker, begging to sell disposable lighter, clean the window, full of tricks. This case, the traffic jam is homely food, is expected to 20 minutes, with the last 3 times. It is no wonder that, drive in Palermo, you will forget yourself inEurope. In this city, it is so disorderly?

To touch one of the city's most vivid details, nature is devoted to its bustling market. Palermo's largest and most famous Wu Qili Asian market (Mercato della Vucciria), on the side of the old city center road is Via Roma, a turn, abandoned a lot of traffic coming, but in a color, smell, and Italy opera type cries the world together. Different and no order at all the streets in Palermo, each booth here not only ordered, and is full of enthusiasm for art creation. Green leafy vegetables showed the rich colors of the vegetable Sicilian oranges base rounded into Pyramid; small olives and a variety of ingredients with rich flavor; as for the fish stall, the deep-sea fish proud now only helpless look, fish section fresh depict the seductive texture and gloss. Even more surprising, is that exotic things, spices and herbs, diversiform new cooking ingredients, fromAfricaThe world, from Arabia, or more distant corners of the world. The city style, come down in one continuous line in the continuation of history and daily life, never change.

After enough of a variety of fresh rich, cheap food lure, and turned to find not far from Wu Qili Asian market, Palermo's oldest restaurant: Antica Focacceria di San Francesco (San Francesco old snack shop). Following the address map in a narrow alley, Sicily's most busy summer has passed, the shouts of the tourists and hot food stalls are not see, think of the shop and the legend of the Mafia, empty secluded alley at this moment even more mysterious.

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