Castelmola: A Journey through Time in Sicily’s Captivating Medieval Town

From the top of its tall, rocky pedestal, Castelmola seems to float between the sky and the sea. It is only a few kilometers from the beautiful town of Taormina and even closer to the Ionian coast, which looks like a long strip of sand and rocks from the belvedere.

We are in Sicily, in the province of Messina. Sicily is the land of sailors, pirates, and great leaders. Here is a Sicilian village that has been able to keep all the magic of the Middle Ages over the years. Just over a thousand people live in Castelmola, and it has a genuine heart that is steeped in old traditions. The song of the cicadas and the sound of the waves are also very inviting.

Tourists get drunk on the sights and smells of the Mediterranean landscape. The salty breeze tickles the scrub and makes the fresh smells of pines and shrubs rise into the air. The fuchsia brushstrokes of the bougainvillea make the land less harsh, and the seagulls make silent paths in the intense blue sky. They hover over the roofs and winding streets of the village, over Piazza Sant’Antonino, and over what’s left of the castle.

Castelmola is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, according to a poll. You have to figure out why for yourself, and everyone has their own ideas. Maybe it’s because the water is clear, or because the cliffs are beautiful, or maybe it’s because the paths and stairs are so pretty.

The small Sicilian town has a unique charm thanks to its well-preserved medieval city plan. Once upon a time, the village was even more magical. It had a long staircase carved into the rock as its entrance, just like in a fairy tale. Step by step, the guests of Castelmola made their way to the foot of the manor. They could already see how beautiful the citadel would be.

Even now, in the Municipal Auditorium, there is an exhibit of photos that show the entrance, which used to have an arch and a staircase that is no longer there. In 1928, the door was changed, and a modern entrance took its place.

But most of the old stories still stand, which gives Castelmola its unique and real taste. Some houses hold on because their doors and windows are made of Taormina stone and their walls are painted in the colors of the earth. The “Sicilian-style” roofs hold on because of the tiles on the slopes, but the liveliest parts of the city hold on the most.

Castelmola Attractions

Like the central square, which has a mosaic floor made of lava stone, this is where the old church of Sant’Antonino, which is now the Auditorium, stands. The very old building is surrounded by other interesting buildings, like the Casa Sterrantino and the Caffè San Giorgio, which was built by monks in the 18th century and is now an inn.

Up until recently, the impressive castle, of which only the Norman walls remain, was the main attraction in Castelmola. The manor was built in the 9th century to protect the area from the Arabs. It was likely built at the request of Costantino Caramalo, who, as a marble plaque says, was Taormina’s last strategist. From the top of the entrance arch, another inscription says, “Castle faithful to her majesty—year 1578.” This shows that the castle played a part in the medieval fights between the French and the Spanish.

When you leave the fort and walk down Via De Gasperi, which is full of unique shops, you end up in Piazza Duomo in front of the Mother Church.

In the first half of the 20th century, a building that was much older than that was changed a lot. Different styles, from Romanesque to Baroque, were used. Inside, you can look at the four marble altars that face each other, the elegant pulpit, and the statue of Mary Magdalene made of wood.

The church of San Biagio is smaller and more hidden, but it is still pretty. It looks out over the small square of the belvedere and faces Taormina. It is the first religious building to be built in Castelmola since San Pancrazio came to town. A beautiful fresco from the 18th century decorates the inside.

To finish exploring the village, you can visit the church of San Giorgio, which was built in 1450 and has a beautiful bell tower, and the small church of the Annunziata, which was built in 1100 by the Norman Ruggiero to thank the Virgin for beating the Moors.

A curiosity

Here in Castelmola, you can find the very special Bar dei Falli or the famous Bar Turrini, which will surprise you with its unique collection of male reproductive organs in all their different forms.

The typical products

But Castelmola, like many other places in Sicily, is just “good.” The village, which is known for its wine and almonds, has a long tradition of delicious food and wine that will please gourmets and tempt even the pickiest taste buds.

Try the Vino alla Mandorla, a dry white wine with notes of bitter almond, herbs, caramel, citrus essences, and Zibibbo. Don Vincenzo Blandano, who ran the first bar in Castelmola, is thought to have come up with the drink. You should also try the homemade macaroni, simple bread, honey, almonds that have been caramelized, and dried figs with walnuts.

Weather and when to go

A mild and sunny Mediterranean climate helps the area’s crops, which offer similar tasty treats, grow well. Pleasant every month of the year, it’s great for beach vacations as well as strolls through the village or the countryside.

In January, which is the coldest month, the average temperature ranges from a low of 8°C to a high of 14°C. In July and August, the average temperature ranges from 23°C to 31°C. Rainfall is rare in the summer. Most of it falls between autumn and winter, with January being the wettest month with an average of nine days of rain.

Castelmola events you can’t miss

With this kind of weather, every event, summer or winter, is a chance to have fun. In Castelmola, the patronal feast of San Giorgio is held on April 23, and in the winter, beautiful artistic nativity scenes are made out of things like bread dough, matches, and bottle caps that have been used before. The exhibitions are always accompanied by tastings of the area’s traditional Christmas sweets.

How to get to Castelmola?

You can think about different ways to get to Castelmola. The town is between the provinces of Messina and Catania. The Catania Fontanarossa airport is about 50 km away, and the A18 motorway goes through it.

Leave the highway at the Taormina Nord exit and go about 8 km until you reach the Castelmola exit. Follow the signs and stay on State Road 114 to get where you need to go. The Taormina/Giardini train station is the one that is closest.