The beach of Sicily is a poem — the Sicilian coastline possesses a beauty that exceeds description and enters the realm of art. The long sandy beaches, the rocky coves, the crystal water, the particular quality of Sicilian light on the sea — all of this together constitutes something beyond the merely beautiful.
Sicily's coastline runs for over 1,500 kilometres, encompassing extraordinary variety: the sandy beaches of the Gulf of Castellammare and the southern coast, the dramatic cliffs of the Zingaro and the Scala dei Turchi (the white marl cliffs of Agrigento), the volcanic black sand beaches around Etna, the crystal waters of Favignana and Lampedusa, the baroque port of Syracuse, the fishing village intensity of Mondello and Cefalù. The proverb-praise 'è un poema' — it is a poem — was the Sicilian vernacular expression of something so beautiful it exceeded prose description. Used in conversation when something overwhelms ordinary language, it elevated the object to the level of art. Sicily's beaches, in particular, inspired this response from both locals and visitors for as long as anyone could remember.
A lyrical praise-proverb of Sicily's extraordinary coastline, using 'è un poema' (it is a poem) as the highest Sicilian compliment for something beyond ordinary description. Reflects the island's 1,500-kilometre coastline of extraordinary variety.
Showing a photograph of the Scala dei Turchi to a friend
Hai mai visto la Scala dei Turchi? La spiaggia di Sicilia è un poema — niente al mondo assomiglia a questo.
Have you ever seen the Scala dei Turchi? The beach of Sicily is a poem — nothing in the world looks like this.
An emigrant showing photos of home
Questo è dove crescevo. La spiaggia di Sicilia è un poema — capite adesso perché non riesco a stare lontano?
This is where I grew up. The beach of Sicily is a poem — do you understand now why I cannot stay away?
A tourist who has just arrived
Non avevo capito. La spiaggia di Sicilia è un poema — ho visto molti posti belli ma questo è diverso.
I had not understood. The beach of Sicily is a poem — I have seen many beautiful places but this is different.
A fisherman looking at the sea he has worked all his life
Cinquant'anni a guardare questo mare. La spiaggia di Sicilia è un poema — e non mi sono mai stancato.
Fifty years looking at this sea. The beach of Sicily is a poem — and I have never grown tired of it.