The Famous Cannoli of Piana degli Albanesi with Sicilian Pasta
Would you like to find in the heart of Sicily a portion of an ancient world, where distant traditions blend with a naturalistic territory built ad hoc by an ancient people rich in culture?
Well, then come with us to Piana degli Albanesi, once Piana dei Greci, Arbereshe territory par excellence!
Click on the video to come with us!
This is an ancient community of Balkan peoples, who in the 15th century, threatened by the Ottoman invasion, carried out a real diaspora, finding shelter in some fiefdoms of the Italian peninsula and in Sicily.
During those years, Sicily, dominated by the crown of Spain, was made up of a large feudal system, managed by religious orders. Thus, Cardinal Borgia of Monreale granted fugitives from Albania and the Peloponnese lands where they could build their villages.
The connection between the Western church and this large Balkan community was due to profitable relationships between Albanian aristocrats and local clergy.
San Giorgio Church
Here is a small village out of time, well known for Lake Piana, a naturalistic site with an enchanting bucolic scenery and the extraordinary Sicilian cannoli, whose recipe here is truly a masterpiece!
The rich local dairies have created excellence in pastry making and ricotta processing.
Piana is also famous above all for its customs and traditions, for the current use of the ancient original language Arbereshe and for the rituals of Christmas and Holy Week, with the typical songs that have been included in the Intangible Heritage of UNESCO.
Highly recommended is a walk along its paths to admire an open-air museum, made of silent panoramas and typical costumes. Also recommended is the fabulous cannolo of the Extra Bar, located in the main square of the town. Walk along the street of the murals, whose images recall the values of the Arbereshe community, alternating religious themes and daily life customs in a contemporary way.
Piana degli Albanesi, lake
On this tour Valentina wears:
The Sicilians – Sicilian cannoli T-shirt – Le Siciliane fashion brand
Sicilian beach bags with lemons
