Castiglione di Sicilia: Where Medieval Splendor Meets Natural Wonders
Castiglione di Sicilia is on the official list of Italy’s most beautiful villages. This is mostly because it is a little gem close to Etna in the Alcantara Valley, between the Alcantara Gorges Geological Park and the Etna Park.
It’s easy to imagine a beautiful view, but it’s much easier to leave and go see for yourself the beauty of a landscape with different levels.
History
Even though it may have been founded as early as 403 BC, the first real evidence of Castrileonis dates back to 1092. At that time, it was a castrum that, with the help of Frederick II of Swabia, changed its name to Civitas Animosa. More than a century later, it went from being a fiefdom to a barony, then to a marquisate, and then to a free commune. This was two centuries before the end of the
Before, during, and after the world wars were hard times. The Nazi massacre of August 12, 1943, which killed 16 people, was a terrible event that will never be forgotten.
What to see in Castiglione di Sicilia?
Castiglione is a village in Sicily that has kept its medieval heart. This is best shown in the Sant’Antonio district, which is the best example of the city’s “spirit of place,” with its steep, narrow streets and strong reminders of the Byzantine and Norman occupations.
The naturalistic frame includes the endless countryside, the calm flow of the Alcantara river, the respect always shown to the titanic volcano, and the half-mountain made up of hazelnut and chestnut groves, whose strong smell can be felt from a long way away. From the top of the hill where it is located, Castiglione can see and control everything.
The houses slowly descend the gentle slopes, making a kind of urban maquis that spreads from the historic center and Piazza Lauria, which is watched over by the Town Hall, which was built in the early 20th century.
In the old Cameni neighborhood, there is a small square where the Church of Sant’Antonio stands out. It was built in the middle of the 17th century, and its baroque facade from 1796 foreshadows the dome’s impressive rise. Some palaces, like the Imbesi, Camardi, Saglimbeni, and Sardo palaces, can be seen in the background.
Ruggero d’Altavilla wanted the Church of San Pietro, which you can reach by going up part of the area, very badly in 1105. Of the original design, only the apse and the sandstone tower remain. Right next to it is the Monastery of San Benedetto, which has a church attached to it. To see the Norman Church of San Marco, you have to go back down via Federico II and then go back up to see the Byzantine Castelluccio, which the locals call Castidduzzu.
The Basilica of the Madonna della Catena deserves the most applause because it has a beautiful staircase that leads up to a Baroque facade that was designed by Baldassarre Greco himself. The statue of the Madonna della Catena, which is made of white Carrara marble and signed by Giacomo Gagini, a student of Michelangelo Buonarroti, is a symbol of luster kit. The castle of Ruggero di Lauria stands out because it is on top.
Outside of the village is the other famous fortification, the Cannizzu. Nearby, the Church of San Vincenzo Ferreri stands out for its beauty and pride. In the direction of Francavilla di Sicilia, you’ll find the calm Church of San Nicola. Its apse has beautiful Byzantine frescoes that were only recently found. The Cuba of Santa Domenica is a Basilian chapel with a Greek cross and a square plan. It was built between the 7th and 9th centuries, so it is very old.
Events, festivals and shows
Once the tour of the architectural works is over, there are a lot of other things to do. This is because there are a lot of natural places where you can do things like river trekking, trips to the area of Alcantara, or even trips up the slopes of Etna on paths and mule tracks.
There are things to see and do, like the Feast of the Madonna della Catena on the first Sunday of May, Castiglione and its Flavors, and the Sagra del Pane Condito in August. Lastly, Castiglione’s Christmas is a riot of traditional markets and cribs.
During the holidays, you should try the wonderful fave a maccu, which is macaroni with pork ragù and baked ricotta, and the sciauni, which are sweet pancakes made with fresh ricotta. Etna DOC is made in Castiglione, which is a City of Wine.
How to get there?
By car, you can leave from the Catania Fontanarossa airport, take the Catania-Messina motorway, and get off at Fiumefreddo or Giardini Naxos. From the Giardini Naxos train station, you can take the Circumetnea towards Randazzo. The Autolinee SAIS, AST, and Etnea Trasporti are in charge of the buses.
