A colorful sign advertising a local puppet show. Puppetry is a common and traditional form of art throughout Sicily.
One of the treasures we sought to find was the Lavatoio, an ancient stone washing area, said to be a leftover from Saracen occupation. Only a sign pointing down a curving stone stairway gave a clue as to what was at the bottom. Almost by accident we found it.
Stone basins and a flume coursing with cold water provided a convenient place to wash clothes, as recent as a few years ago. Even while we were there, a man and woman waded into the rushing water to rinse off some dusty items.
The tiles on the floor of this shop depict the Trinacria, the symbol of Sicily. This symbol appears on the Sicilian flag and pops up in the most surprising places all over Sicily. Trinacria means triangular, for the shape of the island and for the three capes of Sicily: Punta del Faro in the province of Messina, Capo Passero near Syracuse, and Capo Lille, west of Marsala.
The head in the middle is Medusa, indicating the protection of the Goddess Athena, patron Goddess of Sicily. The hair of snakes holding ears of wheat symbolizes the fertility of the island. By the time we leave Sicily, we will have seen it EVERYWHERE.
At my urging, Gino ascends these steps leading up to someone’s home within this characteristic courtyard.
No, this is not a window display of fruits and vegetables; it’s Marzipan. Marzipan is an almond sugar paste painted with food coloring and formed into food-shaped sweets. Shop windows everywhere in Sicily proudly display these traditional and very edible artistic creations. I never did try one. My teeth hurt every time I thought about it.
