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Palazzolo
is among the most important centres in the region of Syracuse and boasts
a long history, dating back to the Corinthians of Syracuse who founded it
in 661B.C.
Cited in ancient documents, it is remembered by Thucycidides, Livy and Sylvius
Italicus who all narrated episodes of its history. Later it was dominated
by the Byzantines and the Normans. A succession of 'baronìe' followed,
the last being that of the Princes Ruffo of Calabria.
Through its architecture we can trace the passage of time; from the suggestive
Greek theatre, the renowned site defined by Paolo Orso "Theatre of
the Sky", to the Byzantine Baptistery; from the Greek, Roman and Christian
Latomie, the ancient stone quarries, to the famous Santoni, figures sculpted
in the rock and linked to the cult of Magna Mater, the largest collection
of such figures that the ancient world has left us.
Equally significant are the churches, palaces of the nobility and the 18th
century living quarters: a magnificent display of pure Baroque architecture
composing scenes of suggestive beauty.
Then there is the museum "A. Uccello", a centre housing a collection
of objects belonging to the popular and peasant traditions, of notable ethnographical
and anthropological interest.
Expressions of local folklore, the live Nativity scene at Christmas and
the allegorical carts at Carnival, as well as the religious feasts celebrating
the feast of the patron saints St.Paul and St. Sebastian, are magnificent
as well as being original.
In May the Greek theatre is home to the Young People's International Festival
of Classical Theatre.
To
know more, click on :
www.palazzolo-acreide.it
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