Gran Tour of Sicily

Sicily was the destination of Grand Tour of XVIII-XIX centuries, the education voyage of young aristocratic of north-Europe.

In that period Sicily displayed a wild and mysterious aspect, became the centre of curiosity of famous voyagers such as Von Riedsel, Jean Houel, Goethe.

Why these european voyagers became to reach Sicily too? Why their curiosity was caught by
this enigmatic island?

The reason is simple: because the modern culture animated intellectuals of a historic, naturalistic and humanistic spirit that cannot ignore that “Great Book” of History, Art and Culture that was Sicily and its Volcano Etna.

Von Riedsel Baron

Etna caught the curiosity of Von Riedsel Baron, that started its voyage in Sicily on March 1767, and was the first german to admire all the sicilian historic finds.

He visited all Sicily, hard enterprise for communication ways of that epoch.
Enthusiastic of Catania and of its intelligent town planning useful to eartquakes danger, he visited all its historic beauty, such as Bendictine Monastry and its Museum.
He climbed Etna following an itinerary that joined Nicolosi to Philosopher Tower. The return way crossed Mascali (where he tasted the famous wine) and Sant’Alfio, where he admired the magnificent of the tree “Castagno dei cento cavalli”. LINK

Jean Houel

The same sicilian beauty caught the works art of Jean Houel, arrived in Sicily on 1776

He went here not to be a passive spectator, but he lived sicilian folklore, like when he
participated to Santa Rosalia feast as a sicilian faith ful.

Etna was its most important stage of a long itineray across south Europe until Malta.
His ascent to Etna is memorable and well-documented, in fact it is thanks to him the last attestation of ancient ruins of Philosopher Tower in his famous work art.
Other incision is that one of Castago dei cento cavalli.

Goethe

The charm of smoking volcano attracted Goethe curiosity, in Sicily on 1787.

In his voyage notes he narrated of his will of climbing Etna, but the wisdom of who lived near “Mongibello” suggested a more simple excursion to avoid volcano dangers.

He asked to cavalier Gioieni how to clim Etna, but e answered that this cuold be a very hard thing because the presence of snow at low height.

Then, Goethe climbed until Monit Rossi, without going beyond, admiring the summit of the crater from here. But a magnificent landscape he enjoyed: the jonic coast from Messina to Syracuse