Legend has it that a beautiful girl lived in Sicily during the
Arab domination, around the year 1000 Her skin was as rosy as peach blossoms in full bloom and her eyes seemed to reflect the blue
of the sea. Locked up in the house, she spent her days tending to the flowers on her balcony. One day a young Moor who happened to be passing under her balcony saw her and, struck by her beauty, decided he wanted to make her his. Without delay he entered the girl's house and declared his love; the girl, struck by such ardour, gave herself to him
After some time the girl discovered that her handsome Moor would soon leave her to return to his own country where his wife and children were waiting for him. The girl waited until night and while the Moor was sleeping she killed him, decapitated him and made a vase out of his head in which she planted basil.
which he put on display on the balcony
so the Moor remained with her forever. Meanwhile the basil grew lush, arousing the envy of the inhabitants of the neighborhood who, not to be outdone, had terracotta vases made
with human features.
Arab domination, around the year 1000 Her skin was as rosy as peach blossoms in full bloom and her eyes seemed to reflect the blue
of the sea. Locked up in the house, she spent her days tending to the flowers on her balcony. One day a young Moor who happened to be passing under her balcony saw her and, struck by her beauty, decided he wanted to make her his. Without delay he entered the girl's house and declared his love; the girl, struck by such ardour, gave herself to him
After some time the girl discovered that her handsome Moor would soon leave her to return to his own country where his wife and children were waiting for him. The girl waited until night and while the Moor was sleeping she killed him, decapitated him and made a vase out of his head in which she planted basil.
which he put on display on the balcony
so the Moor remained with her forever. Meanwhile the basil grew lush, arousing the envy of the inhabitants of the neighborhood who, not to be outdone, had terracotta vases made
with human features.