Sicilia (Sicily), the Mediterranean's largest island: the centre and west

Discoveries of cave drawings and tools show that prehistoric people lived in what is now Sicily. During the 700's BC, the Greeks colonized the eastern part of the island, and the Carthaginians founded trade settlements in the western part. The Romans conquered Sicily in the 200's BC and made it their first province and a grain growing region for the Roman Empire. The Romans left many traces behind; one of the most impressive is the Villa Romana del Casale near the town of Piazza Armerina near the centre of the island. The villa dates from the end of the 3rd century to mid-4th century AD and has wonderfully preserved mosaic floors depicting hunting scenes and girls in bikinis, among others.

Not far from there, in the centre of the island, is the hilltop town of Enna, at 931 metres above sea level. It offers panoramic views all around and therefore it became a fortress in the time of the Byzantine Empire and one of the main defenses against the Arabs. It didn't last as the Arabs conquered it in the year 859. A large Swabian castle stands at the eastern end of town, offering great views of Enna and the surroundings.

At the far western end of Sicily is the medieval town of Erice, at 750 metres above sea level. It was always an important religious site: the Cartiginians worshipped Astarte here, The Greeks Aphrodite and the Romans Venus. The town is a maze of picturesque narrow streets and gates and has a Norman castle and a 14th century church. Nearby, on the coast, is the pleasant town of Trapani with a fishing harbour and old palaces.

	Piazza Armerina	Roman mosaics	Mosaic, Roman villa	Enna
	View from Enna	Street in Erice	View from Erice	Church, Erice
	Alley, Erice	City gate, Erice	Palace, Trapani	Fishing harbour, Trapani

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