A handbook for travellers in southern Italy and Sicily Volume 2; comprising the description of Naples and its environs, Pompeii, Herculaneum, ... and Capua, the Abruzzi and Calabria Palermo,

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1890 Excerpt: ...Serlo, nephew of Robert and Roger of Normandy, was treacherously enticed into an ambush by Brachino, and slain by a company of Saracens. 13 m. Leonforte (Rte. 45). On the heights above the town are the remains of the Saracenic castle of Tavi. The road which branches rt., 5 m. S. of Geraci (see above), leads to 8 m. Petralia di Sopra (5300) on the site of the ancient Petra or Petraea. 3 hrs. S., on a lofty eminence (3300 ft.) rises Alimena, near which is a mountain of transparent rock-salt. In the valley to the N.W. lies Pctralia di Sotto (4600). 2 hrs. N.W. of Petralia is Polizzi (6161), on an abrupt height, command' ing a magnificent mountain panorama. The Chiesa Matrice contains the fragment of a beautiful custodia, carved by Domenico Gagini, in 1482. The Franciscan Convent has a chapel adorned by Antonio Gagini, son of Domenico, with statues of the Virgin, St. Francis, and St. Antonio. S. Orsola has a painting of the Sicilian school, by Tommaso Yigilia (1497); and Sta. Maria degli Angeli a triptych, attributed to an early Fleming. Polizzi is the birthplace of the learned Caruso, who wrote much on the history and literature of Sicily. Polizzi owes its origin to the Normans. Count Roger, pursuing the Saracens to these mountains, found them encamped in a strong position, and, to besiege them at his leisure, he raised a fortress on this spot. Polizzi received from the Emp. Frederick II. the title of " La Generosa." The bridle-path from Petralia winds W. to (3 hrs.)Caltavuturo (3000 ft.), a small town of 4000 inhab. The steep rock above it is crested with the ruius of the old fortresa, whose name betrays its Saracenic origin--Kala't-Abi-Thur, ' the fortresss of Abi-Thur." 1 hr. further W. is Sclafani, whose fortress, crowning a rugged pinnacle ...