A Turbulent History

The south of Italy followed a different historical path from the north. After hundreds of years of Roman domination, the southern regions were fought over in constant battles between the Greeks, Lombards and Caliphs, to name a few. The area became part of Spain until Duke Victor Amadeus II of Sardinia took Sicily in 1713. The south was eventually conquered by Giuseppe Garibaldi and the Redshirts in 1861 and, with the north, formed the modern State of Italy. The landscape of the south is rich with evidence of a turbulent, diverse and fascinating history - it is dotted with ancient Greek temples and amphitheatres, beautiful Roman mosaics, enduring Byzantine architecture and splendid Norman churches.