Photos

This is a detail of the Piazza Pretoria gate railing designed by G.B.F. Basile. The railing guards a fountain originally designed for the Florentine residence of Don Pietro di Toledo; however the fountain design and the statues eventually ended up in front of the home of the Senate of Palermo, it’s current location. The actual size of the figure is about 4 inches high. The plate held by the cherub shows the symbol of Sicily; a three-legged head called a Trinacria.

Sicily, as an island close to Europe and Africa, has been touched by a number of civilizations; Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Vandals, Goths, Carthagians, Arabs, Byzantines, Swabians, Romans, Spanish among others. It's history is an interesting reminder of Ancient Empires and the ebb and flow of civilization’s mark for past, present and future Empires, whichever continent they arise from.

“Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results”.
-attributed to Machiavelli

When I was in Sicily I read a book by Karen Armstrong about Buddha; it struck me that he lived during times of great political turmoil and upheaval, yet his search for freedom from suffering and pain led him to beauty and compassion. While the history of world politics and religion always seems to be about power, the questions of 'why' and 'there must be something better' raised by a man named Sidhatta Gotama became a legacy greater than wealth, power or political influence. I simplify things for brevity; for those who know much more about Buddhism than I, please forgive my brief synopsis.

Goal: to catch a little ancient history, in all it's simplicity ;)

Post production: Auto contrast, focus, levels.