Babbaluci iancu con corallo

The Prickly pears (which inspired Roberto) are one of the great symbols of Sicily. They grow everywhere: on the sides of cliffs, in gardens, on the roofs of abandoned houses, on the sides of roads … Its fruit (ripe by the end of August) is delicious and much loved by Sicilians who also make rosoli and mostarda, a sweet typically prepared in jars, with the addition of carnations, cinnamon and almonds. Gelo is also very appreciated, a sort of gelatinous cream. Prickly pears were imported by Arabs during their domination (IX-XI century).

Santa Rosalia, a santuzza for the Palermitani, is the patron saint of the Sicilian capital: Palermo. Born Rosa Sinibaldi, in 1130, when in Sicily reigned the Normans, from a noble family related to King Roger II of Sicily. Promised in marriage to Prince Baldovino, the day before the wedding had a mystical vision and decided to take the vows taking refuge in a family estate, the forest of Santo Stefano di Quisquina. There she lived 12 years inside a cave documenting her choice of life with a Latin epigraph written at the entrance of the cave. Later she returned to Palermo where she settled in another cave, at the top of Monte Pellegrino, where she died. In this place in the seventeenth century was built her sanctuary, venerated by the people of Palermo. At least once in their life every Palermo citizen undertakes the climb to the sanctuary of the santuzza.

(photo) Santa Rosalia, Anthony Van Dyck, Palazzo Abatellis, Palermo