Page 187 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sicily

NOR THEASTERN SICIL Y  185

p Castiglione di
Sicilia
Road map E3. * 4,000. £ Ferrovia
Circumetnea. @ Giardini di Naxos
(0942-625 301/550 929). n Town Hall
(0942-980 348 or 800-010 552).
This village, voted one of Italy’s
most beautiful, lies on a crag
dominating the Alcantara
Valley. Founded by the Greeks,
many years later it became a
royal city under the Normans
and the Hohenstaufens, and
the fief of Roger of Lauria at
the end of the 13th century.
Castiglione still retains its
medieval layout, the narrow
streets converging in central
Piazza Lauria. From this point,
moving up the hill, there are
many churches. The first is the
Chiesa Madre, or San Pietro,
which still has a Norman
apse; then there are the
17th-century Chiesa delle
Benedettine and the Baroque
Sant’Antonio and Chiesa
Della Catena. At the top of
the village is the Castel Leone, The Alcantara river flowing between basalt cliffs
built by the Normans over Arab
fortifi cations, where you have basalt by the rushing waters raincoats and weatherproof
a view of the medieval bridge of the Alcantara river, is a gear. There is also a lift
on the Alcantara river. marvellously compelling sight. (elevator) that you can take
If the weather is good, it is to avoid the long flight of
Environs worth following the gorge for steps that leads from the
The Alcantara ravine, 20 m about 150 m (500 ft), but only parking area to the entrance
(66 ft) deep, cut out of black if you can manage without of the ravine.

The Peloritani Mountains
The Monti Peloritani form a ridge between two seas
peaking in Monte Poverello (1,279 m/4,195 ft)
and the Pizzo di Vernà (1,286 m/4,218 ft). It is a
marvellous area for excursions, often with stunning
views of the sea and Mount Etna, in a landscape of
knife-edge ridges and woods. On 4 August a major
pilgrimage is made to the Antennamare
Sanctuary, while 7 September is the day for
festivities at the Sanctuary of the Madonna
del Crispino, above the village of Monforte
San Giorgio. Many of the mountain villages are
interesting from a historical and artistic point of
view. Forza d’Agrò, dominated by a 16th-century
castle; Casalvecchio I Siculo, with the Arab-
Norman Basilica dei Santi Pietro e Paolo; Savoca,
with Capuchin catacombs and embalmed bodies;
Ali, which has a strong Arab flavour; Itala,
overlooking the Ionian Sea, with San Pietro e Paolo,
built by Roger I as a thanks offering for a victory
over the Arabs; and lastly Mili San Pietro (see
Winding tracks through the Peloritani Mountains, offering p189), with the basilica-monastery of Santa Maria,
splendid views of the surrounding area which was founded in 1082 by Roger I.

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