Page 172 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sicily

170  SICIL Y AREA B Y AREA

massive square castle was built
by Roger I in 1073, totally reb uilt
in the 14th century and then
restored twice in the 1900s. It
lies up Via Matrice, which will
also take you to the Chiesa
Madre, the Cathedral dedicated
to Santa Maria dell’Alto. The
church was originally Norman,
but it was rebuilt in 1342.

4 Centuripe
Road map E3. * 6,600. @ from
Motta Sant’Anastasia, with its medieval tower dwarfed by Mount Etna
Catania or Enna, Romano (0935-731
2 Motta 3 Paternò 14). n 0935-74755/380-790 43 93.
( Mon.
Sant’Anastasia Road map E3. * 46,000. £ Ferrovia
Road map E3. * 7,600. £ Ferrovia Circumetnea (095-541 250). n 095- Known as “the balcony of Sicily”
because of the wide views,
Circumetnea (095-541 250). n Pro 797 04 20. _ Carnival (before Lent). Centuripe is especially pretty in
Loco, Piazza Umberto 42 (095-308 Surrounded by orchards of February and March, when snow-
161).
citrus fruit, this town lies at the capped Mount Etna forms a
Mount Etna forms a constant foot of a castle, which has a striking contrast with the blossom
backdrop to Motta. From the stunning view of Mount Etna of orange and almond trees.
top of the village, with the and the Simeto Valley. The An important Greek-Roman
massive tower of the 12th-
century Norman castle, the
snow-capped volcano gleams
through the winter, gradually
darkening in spring and
summer. Not far away is the
Chiesa Madre (Cathedral), also
built in Norman times. At the
foot of the old town is the heart
of Motta Sant’Anastasia with
its pasticcerie (pastry shops),
Baroque churches and bustling
atmosphere, placed as it is on
a major route through the The 12th-century Norman castle dominating Paternò from above, with its wide-ranging
Catania region. views taking in the Simeto valley and Etna
The Circumetnea Railway
The picturesque carriages of the Ferrovia
Circumetnea climb up the slopes of Mount
Etna, passing through barren stretches of Linguaglossa
black lava alternating with luxuriant Maletto Randazzo
vegetation. This delightful route will
take you back to the dawn of tourism, Bronte
when the pace of travel was much slower
than today. It takes about five hours to
cover the 90 km (56 miles) or so between
Catania and Giarre Riposto, the two termini, Adrano Giarre
plus another hour to get back to Catania Paternò (Riposto)
from Riposto via state rail. However, the
rewards are magnificent views of terraced
vineyards and almond and hazelnut Catania
groves, as well as the volcano itself. Key
Major road
£ Ferrovia Circumetnea Ferrovia Circumetnea
Via Ceronda 352, Catania. 0 km 20 Other roads
Tel 095-541 250. ∑circumetnea.it 0 miles 10 River

For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp204–5 and pp216–17

170-171_EW_Sicily.indd 170 11/3/16 2:10 PM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.6)
Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm