What Is the Culture and History of Sicily?

Sicily is a unique piece of land that has a long, turbulent, and fascinating history. A culturally-rich island off the coast of mainland Italy, Sicily boasts an exciting past that is still visible today. From ancient Greeks, Romans, and Arabs to French, Spaniards, and more, Sicily’s cultural and historical roots are truly varied and expansive. Here we take a look at the culture and history of this incredible island.

The Ancient Culture & History of Sicily

From its earliest days, the culture and history of Sicily has been marked by waves of conquering nations leaving their mark on the island. Sicily was initially settled by the Sicani, an ancient people from the Iberian Peninsula that were present in Sicily by 1100 BC. Around 800 BC, Sicani were displaced as Greek city-states began to set up trading posts throughout Sicily. Sicily quickly became a major Mediterranean trading hub between cultures, affording its citizens opportunities for notable cultural mingling.

In the 8th century BC, Greeks exert more influence over the island and established an independent state that was a loose collection of city-states until the 3rd century BC when kings from Hiero I began to unify disparate cities into one political entity. This ushered in a period of regional autonomy. In 212 BC, control of Sicily was fully taken over by Rome.

In the successive centuries, Sicily was conquered by other empires claiming it as their own including the Ostrogothic Kingdom and Byzantine Empire before being taken over by Arabic forces in 831 AD. The Arabic then brought Islam as well as their language and traditions to Sicily. During this time Sicily was also shaped significantly by the autonomous domains ruled by local nobles called “Conte (Counts).”

The Medieval & Later History of Sicily

In the 11th century Sicily was fully conquered by Norman forces that Christianized it and departed from Arab cultural influences highly prevalent at the time. The Normans left an indelible mark on Sicilian culture with notable architectural structures like monasteries, churches, and castles still standing today. In addition, this period also saw Norman French replace roots in the island’s language which is still mostly a derivative from Latin with some pertinence of Greek and Arab influences.

The islands were then under holdings of Spanish Governors until it became part of Italy in the 19th century. During Italian rule in the early 20th century Sicily experienced a period of native revolts against the Italian monarchical government due to economic disparities, which ultimately led to democratic reforms and socioeconomic advancements on the island.

One thing that has remained consistent throughout all periods of Sicilian history is its cultural fusion of Latin, Greek and Arab influences that are present in all aspects of culture including cuisine, architecture, customs, and language. Whether it’s the ancient walls of Segesta and Selinunte or bountiful Sicilian oranges or even medieval festivals in small mountain villages or Arab-inspired foods like arancini, Sicily’s cultural tapestry is as diverse as it is beautiful.

Sicily’s Contribution to World Culture

Sicily has also had an incredible impact on many areas of world culture from literature to music, cinema to architecture. One of the most famous pieces of Sicilian literature comes from Luigi Pirandello with his 1951 play ‘Six Characters in Search of an Author’. Music has always been an important part of Sicilian life with much-known cultures such as mandolin-playing in Palermo dating back centuries. Italofile Vivaldi and Handel were also known for their works inspired by the Italian people including Sicilians.

Sicily is also a popular setting for films from classics like legendary film directors Francis Ford Coppola’s trilogy “The Godfather’ to more modern films like “Letters To Juliet’ starring Amanda Seyfried of Mamma Mia! fame. Other acclaimed films set in Sicily are “The Postman’ starring Philippe Noiret and Bruno Ganz’s starring role in “Cinema Paradiso’ where he plays an old man looking back on his childhood in 1950’s Sicily.

From its very beginning with the arrival of Greek traders to the modern day large movement of immigrants mostly coming from Africa, Sicily has an incredible and varied cultural history that continues to shape this wonderful Mediterranean region today. It’s easy see why it’s one of Italy’s most beloved regions!

Sources:

• Mount Aing Guide Sicily Tours, “History & Culture Sicily”
• Companion Guides Italy, “Sicilian Culture & History”
• Museo della Filarmonica, “What Is the Culture & History of Sicily?”
• Taste Sicily, “About Sicily’
• Transat, “Discovering the Culture ofSicily”
• UNESCO, “Cultural Fusion in Sicily