Go Off The Beaten Path In Sicily, Italy This Year

Sicily is the largest of Italy’s islands and is nestled at the “toe” of Italy’s “boot” surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. Due to its positioning, the island has a varied history, including the ruins of Greek temples and more. However, for those travelers looking for something unique, Sicily also has some surprising locations to visit, including an anti-monastery, a colorful ceramic stairway and the ancient Phoenician walls of Erice.

Abbey of Thelema, Cefalù, Sicily

The weird side of Sicily includes the so-called Abbey of Thelema in the small fishing town of Cefalù on Sicily’s coast. It was Aleister Crowley, the occultist and mystic who believed in “magick” who built the abbey in 1919. Apparently, Crowley had a revelation that led him and his followers to build a sanctuary where they could live under what he termed the “Law of Thelema,” which basically said, “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.”

They went on to build the Abbey of Thelema, an anti-monastery, in a farmhouse in the small fishing town. It is still possible to visit the abbey, but the farmhouse has been abandoned for many years. Meanwhile, an exploration of the site reveals wall paintings relating to “transgressive cosmology” and some furniture. More photos can be found here.

Santa Maria del Monte Stairway Ceramic Steps, Caltagirone

Visiting the 142-step Santa Maria del Monte Stairway is probably best for someone who is fit. However, the attractive ceramic steps, built in 1608, are a fascinating visit. The stairway leads from the new town of Caltagirone up to the old town and Santa Maria del Monte church above. Moreover, while it might be quite a climb, the steps are definitely Instagrammable, as each is decorated with a unique and colorful design.

While interesting to visit at any time of the year, visiting the steps is best during the Infiorita Festival. During the festival, held in the last two weeks of May, the stairway becomes a focal point in the town. At that time, locals decorate the stairs with flowers all the way to the top. Meanwhile, the steps are also decorated on July 24 and 25 each year to honor St. James, the town’s patron saint.

Phoenician Walls of Erice, Sicily

Erice is renowned for its Saracen, Norman and Medieval buildings, but what makes the mountaintop town has other, out-of-the-way attractions. Among these is the cable car that runs to Erice from Trapani. Meanwhile, once there, most visitors explore the center of town and its many historic sites. However, not everyone gets to see one aspect of the town’s history.

The original defense walls of Erice are located north of the town and have been standing there since 800 BC. The walls were created by the Phoenicians and intricately crafted from limestone when they first founded the city. However, the Elymians later added to or modified the walls, which still stand tall more than 2,500 years later. It is hard to imagine any modern wall lasting that long!

Visit Sicily this year and make sure you visit some of the island’s lesser-known and fascinating attractions.