Capizzi

Welcome to Capizzi: an Enchanted Municipality in the Heart of Nebrodi

Hello everyone! Today I want to introduce you to Capizzi, a small municipality located on the Nebrodi plateau in Eastern Sicily. With only 2,843 inhabitants, Capizzi is an ideal destination for those seeking tranquility and the beauty of nature, far from the chaos of big cities.

Exploring the Physical Geography of Capizzi

Capizzi is an enchanted place that extends for about 69.90 km², around Verna hill, at 1,139 meters above sea level. Its elevated position makes it a suggestive, but also quite isolated, place. Just over 20 km from the coast, Capizzi is surrounded by woods and sources of the Simeto River.

The Capizzi climate is very diverse, with cold temperatures during the winter (climatic zone E), with the presence of abundant snow and frost. During the summer, however, the climate is cool and pleasant, thanks to the presence of woods and winds.

Capizzi: between nature and history in a pearl of the Nebrodi mountains.

The History of Capizzi Municipality

Starting with Chapter II of the "Monograph of the City of Capizzi - Ancient and Modern in Sicily" from 1847, referring to "Notes on the foundation and events of Capizzi" by Nicola Russo, which begins: "The origin of this city has always been unknown, and is lost in the mists of time".

A city whose origin dates back to the times of the Siculi or the Sicani, and scholars have never reached an agreement on its foundation. Al Fazzello and Arezzo referred to Claudio Tolomeo and Filippo Cluverio, but only Caruso advances the hypothesis that Capizzi, like Modica, in Bidi would have been built by the Siculi. They, settled in a first phase along the eastern coast of Sicily, moved west inland to escape the continuous raids of Greek pirates.

Historical documents also report the presence of the Romans, the Byzantines and the Normans who have left an indelible mark on the Municipality.

The Wonders of Capizzi Municipality

Capizzi offers tourists numerous attractions. One of the most important is the church of San Giovanni Battista, built in the ancient place called the "aria pirciata": no longer present in its entirety, but one can still appreciate the beauty of the ruins. The historic center of the village is also a perfect place for those who love walking, where you can discover the beauty of the streets and squares of the village.

The Culinary Heritage of the Village

Capizzi possesses a valuable agri-food heritage, thanks to its specialties such as sausage and 'caciocavallo' cheese. Capizzi sausages use only selected pork meats, natural ingredients and ancient processing techniques. The 'caciocavallo' cheese, instead, is a typical product of Capizzi and is produced with whole milk from cows and cattle.

How to Reach Capizzi

The most convenient way to reach Capizzi is by car: the nearest motorway exit is Irosa on the 117 bis state road. The nearest airport is Catania-Fontanarossa.

Conclusion

In summary, Capizzi is a jewel of beauty and culture located in the heart of Nebrodi. With its natural and cultural heritage, it is an ideal destination for those seeking a vacation far from the chaos of big cities. Come and discover the beauty of Capizzi and experience its culinary specialties: you will not be disappointed!

Laura De Luca
Wrote by Laura De Luca
Updated Monday, Feb 6, 2023