Gastronomy as cultural heritage: The case of Sicily and the literary hero ‘Montalbano’

This study examines Sicilian gastronomy as an element of intangible cultural heritage, focusing on its promotion through the literary production of Andrea Camilleri. In his work, and especially in his series of novels featuring the protagonist Inspector Montalbano, gastronomy takes on a multi-level significance: it functions not only as an everyday practice but also as a tool for narrative connection with local identity, historical memory and social structures in Sicily. Through the detailed descriptions of food and customs, the multicultural influences (Greek, Arab, Norman, etc.) that have shaped Sicilian cuisine are highlighted. At the same time, the study links the literary representation of gastronomy with contemporary practices of cultural management and sustainable tourism, proposing the Sicilian case as a model for enhancing cultural identity and local development through gastronomic tourism.