A Sicilian Quiz One Can’t Refuse

In October 2025, a small group of lucky travellers will be traversing the magnificent region of Sicily with Beniamino and Robert. There are still a few spots available on our tour Il Gran Tour della Sicilia but you will need to move fast to secure a place.

Click on the link here for details of the tour: https://www.connectitalia-nz.com/il-gran-tour-della-sicilia

When you think of Sicily, perhaps you have in mind Al Pacino and the dreaded horse’s head in the bed or maybe just endlessly sunny days sipping a local wine on the beach. Sicily, however, has so much more to offer and I invite you now to take a short quiz to test your knowledge and whet your appetite to join our tour. I will confine myself to ask you six questions simply because life is short and regrettably there is no Jackpot to be won.

The questions are:

A. What is the symbol of Sicily?

B. What is manna?

C. Where was Archimedes buried?

D. Who and where are the Bikini Ladies?

E. What is a Testa di Moro?

F. Would you eat or throw a Cedro?

If you know the answers CONGRATULATIONS! If not then please scroll down passed the photo of glorious Taormina with Mt Etna glowering in the background to learn more.

A. The Symbol of Sicily

This is known as the Trinacria. It is the symbol of Sicily, adopted by the island many centuries ago, when it was dominated by the Greeks. Trinacria was the earliest known name of Sicily, and its image is used in the official Sicilian flag.

The head refers to Greek mythology, it is said to be Medusa, a gorgon with a head of snakes, a beautiful woman seducing men who, upon looking at her, were turned into stone. In the past, it was customary to place a trinacria behind the home’s door as a symbol of protection for the house - the Medusa would have turned to stone whoever wanted to hurt the family living inside.

The hair on the head of the gorgon is a snake intertwined with stalks of wheat, to which three legs bent at the knee are attached. The three legs represent the three capes of the island of Sicily: Peloro (north-east), Passero (south), and Lilibeo (west), which form the three points of a triangle. The three stalks of wheat were added in Roman times, when Sicily was known as the granary of Rome, and they symbolise the fertility and prosperity of the region. While some may feel the image is a little ungainly, this has not deterred Sicilian jewellers from incorporating the design in their handiwork. This could be the perfect place to purchase a present for the person who has everything.

B. The Manna

The word ‘manna’ is mentioned 17 times in the Bible. A white mineral-rich resin, manna has been harvested in the Mediterranean as a natural sweetener and medicinal aid for more than a millenium but in recent times, urbanisation and industrialisation have led to it nearly vanishing.

Today in Sicily, a farmer Guilio Gelardi is reviving this ancient "superfood" harvesting it from the bark of ash trees at just the right time. Ash trees produce sap year-round but only produce enough resin to harvest during the hottest days of the year. Gelardi says if you cut the bark too early, it can cause the trees to stop making manna altogether. "Finding out when the moment for cutting has come is a unique skill based on observation and intuition," he says, explaining: "[It's necessary to] listen to each plant."

For the past 30 years, Gelardi has made it his mission to put this Biblical superfood back on our tables and this once-forgotten sap is now being used by chefs and pastry makers in innovative ways and also in products such as laxatives, mineral supplements and skin products. Roll over manuka honey!

C. Archimedes burial site

From what we know, Archimedes was born around 287 BC in the city of Siracusa, Sicily. A mathematician, physicist, engineer, astronomer, and inventor, Archimedes is considered one of the leading scientists in classical antiquity.

He anticipated modern calculus and analysis, and was one of the first to apply mathematics to physical phenomena, working on statics and hydrostatics. Archimedes' achievements in this area include a proof of the law of the lever, the widespread use of the concept of centre, and the enunciation of the law of buoyancy known as Archimedes' principle. In astronomy, he made measurements of the apparent diameter of the Sun and the size of the universe. He is also credited with designing innovative machines, such as his screw pump, compound pulleys, and defensive war machines to protect his native Siracusa from invasion.

Archimedes died during the Siege of Siracusa, when he was killed by a Roman soldier despite orders that he should not be harmed. Cicero describes visiting Archimedes' tomb, which was surmounted by a sphere and a cylinder that Archimedes requested be placed there to represent his most valued mathematical discovery. Although controversial, it is thought his tomb may lie in the Neapolis Park in Siracusa. We will have to make up our own minds about this and hope for inspiration from a true genius of his age.

D. The Bikini Ladies

The ‘bikini’ ladies seen here are found at the Villa Romana del Casale, a large and elaborate Roman villa located close to the town of Piazza Armerina, Sicily. Excavations have revealed Roman mosaics which have been described as the richest, largest and most varied collection in existence. This UNESCO World Heritage Site dates from the early 4th century AD.

From these mosaics, it seems clear women in the Roman Empire did engage in sport but there were some restrictions. Women, for example, were not allowed compete with men. And while men were generally expected to exercise naked in the Greek fashion; female public nudity was frowned upon. The ancient “bikini” allowed women to exercise in comfort without causing offence to ancient (male) sensibilities.

It seems modern bikinis introduced by French designers in 1946 were not as revolutionary as they seemed at the time!

E. Testa di Moro

The "Testa di Moro" (Moor's Head) refers to a traditional Sicilian ceramic vase or figurine, often depicting a man and woman, and is associated with a folk tale of forbidden love and tragic consequences.

The story varies, but generally involves a Sicilian woman who falls in love with a Moor (a man from North Africa or the Middle East) during the Arab occupation of Sicily (827-1091AD), and their tragic fate is often depicted in the ceramic art. There are two versions of the story:

 One version involves a Sicilian girl who falls in love with a Moor and is betrayed by him, leading to a

tragic outcome.

 Another version involves a love affair between a Sicilian woman and a Moor, which is discovered and

punished with their beheading, with their heads later made into vases.

The Teste di Moro are popular souvenirs in Sicily and are often displayed on balconies or as decorative items.

F. The "giant" Cedro

Sicily is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of citrus. The climate fosters a long, growing season and the harvesting of different varieties of citrus over three distinct periods in the year. The cedro (citron or Citrus Medica) is a large fragrant citrus fruit with a thick rind that turns from green to yellow during ripening. It has a strong fragrance and flavour, even stronger than lemons. The thick peel is candied, and the fruit and peel are used to make a sweet paste also used in Sicilian patisserie.

So, the cedro is definitely something for eating rather than throwing! The fruit is extremely versatile, however, and is also found in traditional medicines, perfume, soaps, and religious rituals and offerings.

We strongly encourage you to join Robert and Beniamino on our magnificent 11-day tour, Il Gran Tour della Sicilia. With an incredibly rich history, fascinating cultural traditions and stunning foods and wines this island will not disappoint.