I Vespri Siciliani

The island of Sicily is not only about beaches and sunshine, cuisine, cannoli siciliani and cassata, but also history and ancient ruins. The island has been dominated by various peoples and countries throughout the centuries and that’s the reason why it is so diverse. But probably the most prominent domination there is that of the French in the 13^th century. It was in that period of time when the word mafia became known and popular, according to one of the legends. The word itself is of Arabic origin and means “refuge” and at that time of revolt it was related to the native tribes searching for a refuge on the Sicilian hills and opposing their oppressors. Thus the word became an acronym for “Morte Alla Francia, Italia Avanti” (“Death to France, Italy Forward!”), or also “Morte Alla Francia, Italia Anela” (“Death to France, Italy Begs!”). Also the flag was adopted in early 1282 during the Sicilian Vespers in the city of Palermo against the French rule on the island and the rebellion itself was commemorated in one of Giuseppe Verdi’s best operas late in the centuries.