When I return to Sicily, the Madonie Mountains and Polizzi for a few weeks mid -year it will be almost the start of the Sicilian summer.

There will be warm days, moments of  rediscovery and the enjoyment of  trips to places, new and familiar, across the island - 'the soul affirming joy of returning' (travel writer Peter Jon Lindberg).

Silence, setting sun and doorways

I am thinking about Polizzi and what I like about this town in the Madonie Mountains and coming back: seeing the village nestled in the Madonie when heading along the Tremonzelli Road once off the A19 autostrada; the silence of the streets late at night and around the sacred hours of lunch; catching the sunsets across the Imera valley and in the silent, mountainous countryside outside of town; the facades of buildings made of faded, golden stone; doorways both charming and striking…

The Tremonzelli Road looking to Polizzi

Evening light in the back street behind the house, Via Notar Nicchi

Lunch time, Via Roma

Sunset off the Scillato Road 

Sun setting from Piazza Trinita

The facade of  La Chiesa Madre on Via Roma

Doorway Via Carlo V

Palazzo Galgliardo, Via Carlo V

Festivals, art and mountain drives

The chance to witness a small town humbled by their centuries' old festivals; to walk with the people through the narrow village streets at festival time; to glimpse art hidden behind hallowed doors (often closed) for the first time; to enjoy the beautiful details of a particular work of art restored faithfully and set splendidly in a side altar in the Chiesa Madre and to drive up through the lofty mountains…

Festival of the Holy Crucifix May 2017 

Holy Crucifix festival 2017

'The Return of the Sacred Family from Egypt' by Giuseppe Salerno 1690, the Church of Santa Maria della Porta

Statue in the Chiesa Madre

Detail from the glorious 15th century Flemish triptych attributed to Rogier van der Weyden in the Chiesa Madre, Via Roma

Driving the Piano Battaglia Road in the mountains of the Madonie.

Local food, seasonal fruit, courtyards and a house

To eat simple, local food, fresh seasonal fruit and drink Sicilian wine in the courtyards and at the tables of the family run restaurants; to hear the animation as people make their evening passeggiata; and to enjoy rediscovering the rooms of the house and the sounds of the village as I wake in the morning.

Local sausages at restaurant U Bagghiu

Fico d' India peeled by Giovanni, one of the town's fruit vendors

Cherries at Polizzi's weekly market

Polizzi's badda bean with pasta

Sitting room in the Sant' Orsola apartment at the house

Sicilian head at the house

The view from the terrace at the house

Salve,

Suzanne

A couple of Notes:

Some of these photos have appeared in previous posts.

Peter Jon Lindberg's quote is from his piece "Summerland' in 'The Best American Travel Writing' edited by Elizabeth Gilbert 2013. It is a quote I have used before and do like.