Stories

Here you’ll find all of my stories categorized by region. Stories about major cities, including Rome, Milan and Naples, are grouped separately. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Try searching here or contact me.

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Matthijs Haak 5/12/22 Matthijs Haak 5/12/22

Erice: Sicily’s ancient hilltop town

From atop a 751 meters high plateau, Erice towers over western Sicily. The medieval village is characterized by charismatic narrow streets, gray stone houses, and many old churches …

Matthijs Haak 5/11/22 Matthijs Haak 5/11/22

Grotta Mangiapane: a hidden cave settlement frozen in time

Grotta Mangiapane, in Sicily's Mount Cofano Nature Reserve, is the largest of the Scurati Caves and once served as a prehistoric settlement. In 1819, the Mangiapane family turned it into a village, adding homes, stables, and workshops. Abandoned in the 1950s, it has since been restored. Today, Visitors can explore the cave and its original buildings, offering a glimpse into past daily life.