Immersed in a landscape of incredible charm, with the Nebrodi Mountains as a frame and Mount Etna in the background, Sperlinga and Troina offer a unique perspective on the rich past of the island. These two villages in the Enna hinterland, in addition to playing a significant role in some decisive moments of the Sicilian Middle Ages, became crucial - in spite of themselves - even during the World War II, when they suffered the advance of the Allies in Operation Husky.
The first stop of our private guided tour will be Sperlinga, home to an iconic rock-carved castle that has inspired travelers, writers, and photographers of all ages. We will explore the various environments of this fortress which, in addition to offering us views of unparalleled beauty, will reveal the resilience of its defenders, the only ones who remained loyal to the Angevins when all was lost in the War of the Sicilian Vespers. From the heights of the castle, we’ll then descend to discover the daily life that once unfolded in the caves at its base and in the surrounding countryside of the Sicilian hinterland. Here, even today, locals preserve their unique Gallo-Italic dialect, a linguistic rarity on the island.
We will then continue towards Troina which, at over 1,100 meters above sea level, is known as the "Balcony of Sicily" for its wide views of central and eastern Sicily. The first Norman capital of the island, Troina boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage. During our visit, we will explore the Cathedral of Maria Santissima Assunta, an architectural masterpiece that blends Norman and Baroque influences. Wandering through the streets of the historic center, we will then retrace the moments documented by the legendary photojournalist Robert Capa in his touching photo report published in Life magazine. Through the portraits of defenseless civilian victims of the Second World War, Capa showed the world what he called "the true face of war".
The tour will conclude with a visit to the Robert Capa Photography Museum, home to the exclusive exhibition "Fragments of Work in Sicily". This rare collection, featuring previously unseen photographs from the International Center of Photography in New York, offers a powerful tribute to Sicily’s past.
