Scicli: a haven of light and tradition

The journey can only begin in Scicli, described by Elio Vittorini as “the most beautiful of all the cities in the world”. Strolling along Via Mormino Penna, the Baroque masks seem to mock passers-by with cheeky grimaces, but it is in its very soul that the town reveals its secrets. Here, the sacred mingles with the unexpected. As local guides explain, Scicli is home to icons unique in the world, such as the “Madonna delle Milizie”, the only warrior Virgin on horseback and with a sword, and the “Christ in a Skirt” by St John the Evangelist, an iconographic rarity of Spanish origin. A short walk away, the itinerary is enriched by a visit to Palazzo Beneventano and its “permanent workshop” project, which combines the experience and skills of one of Italy’s few art printing workshops with those of a historic gallery in Modica. The venture, created by printmaker Loredana Amenta and gallery owner Giuseppe LoMagno, is based on the ground floor of the World Heritage-listed building. A visit to the workshops of local potters is also a must, including that of artist Dario Magro, who reinterprets the most classic Sicilian creations in his own personal style.