Bedda sugnu

The Moor’s Heads are a classic representation of artistic Sicily. The Moor’s bring us back to the Arab domination in Sicily (IX-XI century). The Muslim period lasted almost two centuries but it is the one that has left the biggest imprint, probably, in the rich history of Sicily. Not so much in the monuments (very few) but in the daily life, in the etymology of many words, in the dialect, in the uses and customs. Moor’s are typical figures which come into play very often in Sicilian culture as for example in the Opera the Puppets or in the legend of the Moor’s head. They tell of a legend in which a beautiful Sicilian fell in love with an Arab at the time that they reigned in Sicily (IX-XI century), being betrayed by the Moor, she beheaded him in his sleep and hung his head, as if it were a vase, on the balcony, also adorning it with a fragrant basil plant that aroused the admiration of unsuspecting  bystanders. In a certain sense, the Arabs have never left Sicily.

Montalbano Elicona is a splendid medieval village, almost intact since the 12th century, in the northern part of Sicily. There is a beautiful castle, ancient churches, a fascinating series of stone streets that take you back to past centuries and a wonderful view of the Aeolian Islands. And then, there is a very tasty and renowned provola cheese!

(photo) Young Sicilian with grape, early 1900