Motta Camastra
Discovering Motta Camastra Together
Motta Camastra is a small municipality with a population of 795, located in the metropolitan city of Messina in Sicily. Despite its small size, its location is a major attraction for tourists who want to discover the natural and cultural treasures of the region. In this article, I'll take you on a journey to discover what makes Motta Camastra one of the most beautiful places in Sicily.
Monuments and Places of Interest
Motta Camastra has a lot to offer in terms of monuments and places of interest. Its most precious treasure is the Alcantara Gorges, a spectacular canyon formed by the waters of the Alcantara River, with basalt walls up to 50 meters high. The beauty of the landscape has fascinated visitors from all over the world. Another enchanting place to visit is the Grotta dei Cento Cavalli, a huge volcanic cavity located in the San Cataldo fraction.
Economy
Although the economy of Motta Camastra is mainly based on agriculture, with activities such as livestock farming, there are also some significant economic resources present in the town. One of these is the high number of public employees who constitute an important part of the economic fabric. However, one of the main economic activities of the town is tourism, thanks to its natural beauty and historical monuments.
Film
Motta Camastra was chosen as a location for Francis Ford Coppola's film "The Godfather". The small Sicilian town enchanted the American director, who decided to film some scenes of the famous movie there.
Festivals and Events
One of the most important events in Motta Camastra is the "Festa della noce (botanica)" which takes place every October. This festival is an important occasion for the local community to celebrate the walnut harvest. The town attracts thousands of visitors from all over the Sicilian region, who participate in the festivities together with the locals. Another important event to note is the celebration in honor of San Biagio, which takes place on February 3rd. This festival is characterized by the folkloric part of the afternoon, while the evening procession is strictly religious.
Society
Demographic Evolution
Motta Camastra has seen the evolution of its population over the years. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the town had about 4,000 inhabitants. However, over the years, the population has drastically decreased, reaching the current 795 inhabitants.
Administration
This fraction is part of the Alcantara River Park authority. In addition, the municipality of Motta Camastra is part of agricultural region no.10 (Coastal hills of Taormina).
Notes
The Alcantara Gorges are located about ten kilometers from the town of Motta Camastra.
Related Articles
Motta Camastra also hosts a railway station. The Motta Camastra station is a stop on the Messina-Catania railway line.
External Links
If you want to learn more about Motta Camastra, I recommend visiting tourist websites dedicated to the town. For example, the Tourism in Sicily website provides all the necessary information to organize a guided tour of the town. Additionally, the Motta Camastra municipality website offers a complete overview of the town's life and services.
