Castiglione di Sicilia
Castiglione di Sicilia: a city rich in history and treasures
Castiglione di Sicilia, or ''Castigghiuni'' in Sicilian dialect, is a municipality in the metropolitan city of Catania in Sicily. With its 2,889 inhabitants, the town is famous for being part of the circuit of the most beautiful villages in Italy and for having a territory of ''notable public importance''.
Physical geography
Territory
Castiglione di Sicilia stands on a hill on the northern side of Mount Etna, in the middle of the valley carved by the Alcantara river between Randazzo and Taormina. The city is located inside the Etna National Park and the Alcantara River Park, boasting breathtaking natural beauty. The municipality also hosts other protected areas such as the Pineta di Linguaglossa, the Dammusi, the Highlands of Etna, the Sorbera district and the Gibiotti district. Castiglione is 50 km from the city of Catania and 60 km from Messina.
History
From prehistory to the Roman Empire
Castiglione di Sicilia is a city with very ancient roots. In fact, traces of human presence dating back to the Neolithic have been found near the city. Subsequently, the city was inhabited by the Erei, a Pelorian Sicilian tribe, and then fell under the dominion of the Greeks, Romans, and Arabs. In the Byzantine era, Castiglione was one of the main administrative centers of the island.
Monuments and places of interest
Religious architectures
Castiglione di Sicilia boasts a variety of churches and religious buildings of great historical and artistic importance.
- Cuba of Santa Domenica: located near Castiglione, it is one of the most important Byzantine cubas in Sicily and a national monument since 1909. The cuba, larger than the typical ones, was rich in Byzantine frescoes, mostly lost today. The façade features a large trifora, while the interior is characterized by a cross vault.
- Church of San Nicola: featuring a façade with a small portal with pointed arch, the church has remained impressed for its Romanesque architecture. Inside, you can admire frescoes depicting Christ Pantocrator and the Apostles.
- Basilica of San Giacomo and Maria Santissima della Catena: elevated to minor basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1985, the church is an example of Sicilian baroque architecture.
- Church of Sant'Antonio Abate: headquarters of the Saints Peter and Paul Museum, the church features a Baroque structure with many interesting frescoes.
- Church of San Marco: the church dates back to the 18th century and features a baroque type of architecture.
- Church of San Giuseppe and Funeral Crypt: the church has a single nave and is rich in baroque decorations typical of the period.
Discovering the beauties of Castiglione di Sicilia
Castiglione di Sicilia is a municipality full of natural beauties and artistic treasures. The city is located on a hill on the northern side of Mount Etna, making it an ideal place to spend a holiday surrounded by nature and culture. Among the visits not to be missed are the Cuba of Santa Domenica, the Church of San Nicola, and the Basilica of San Giacomo and Maria Santissima della Catena.
Conclusions
Castiglione di Sicilia represents an ideal tourist destination for those who love nature and history. The town is an important testimony to Sicilian culture thanks to its monuments and the majesty of Mount Etna. Castiglione is therefore an ideal destination to spend a holiday of relaxation and culture, discovering the beauties of the territory and local art.
