Gioiosa Guardia
Gioiosa Marea
Gioiosa Guardia was a city built by Vinciguerra of Aragon as a fortress to defend pirate raids. At the end of the eighteenth century, due to the high seismicity of the territory, the city was abandoned. Today we can only admire the remains.
Museo Parrocchiale
San Marco d'Alunzio
(18 Km)
The Parish Museum, built in 19 May 1996, is located in the church of San Giuseppe. Inside the museum it is possible to admire about 300 pieces from the Aluntine churches. The Hall of 'Aluntini Liturgical Silvers', the true treasure of the museum, contains different liturgical objects made by skilled Sicilian artisans.
Museo Fondazione Famiglia Piccolo di Calanovella
Capo d'Orlando
(13 Km)
The Fondazione Famiglia Piccolo di Calanovella manages the villa-museum of the families of the noble family of Palermo Lucio, Agata Giovanna and Casimiro Piccolo. The institution was founded in 1971, after the death of the poet Lucio Piccolo, to preserve and enhance the entire artistic and cultural heritage of the villa. Inside the Museum there are photographs, paintings and ceramics that testified by the belle époque nebroidea.
Castello di Brolo
Brolo
(6 Km)
The Castle of Brolo was built at the behest of the Lancia di Brolo family. The building has a typical structure of the feudal homes of the fifteenth century. In the main entrance is the sandstone arch and the coat of arms of the Lancia family.
Castello d' Orlando ruderi
Capo d'Orlando
(13 Km)
According to legend it was founded by Charlemagne, in honor of Paladin Orlando. Some documents attest to its existence in the Middle Ages. The castle kept a simulacrum by Maria SS, unfortunately stolen on the night of 11 December 1925. The following year a copy of it was reproduced in silver, to this day on display in the Sanctuary.
Castello di Longi o Medievale
Longi
(21 Km)
Longi Castle dates back to the Middle Ages. We know that it was enlarged during the domination of the Lombards, around the twelfth century. This building has been refurbished several times. The last renovation was done in the 19th century. It is thought to be used for civil purposes, rather than military, since there are no towers in the structure. Today there are only ruins left.
Santuario Madonna di Tindari
Patti
(13 Km)
Inside is the statue of the black Madonna in cedar wood, a probable iconoclast symbol of successive centuries and of Eastern origin. This cathedral is characteristic for its location, being on a promontory overlooking the sea and above the acropolis itself. Every year, the feast dedicated to the Black Madonna is celebrated on 7 September.
Chiesa S. Caterina
Piraino
(3 Km)
Considered from an ancient era, over time it has been modified and embellished several times. It was a parish already at the end of 1500 and continued until 1960. On the left side of the Church a short staircase leads to the Chapel of SS. Ecce Homo.
Piraino, quattro passi nella storia
Piraino
(3 Km)
Piraino, located at 416m above sea level, according to tradition, the toponym between origin from the name of the Piracmone Cyclops, which built the first nucleus inhabited around the year 827 BC, is a place capable of surprising for its landscapes and the cultural intertwines of its people; his is a very ancient story, between myths and legends.
Chiesa del Rosario
Piraino
(3 Km)
The Church of the Rosary, almost at the entrance of the country, was called in ancient times of the Holy Trinity and served for some time as the main Church; it was set on fire and destroyed in the middle of 1500 during a raid of Saracen pirates and rebuilt in 1635 by the Brotherhood of SS. Rosary.
Rocche dell'Argimusco
Montalbano Elicona
(20 Km)
The megalithic area of Argimusco, the Sicilian Stonehenge, seems to be one of the few places on our planet where the powerful forces of nature focus to create a magical and ancestral atmosphere.
Zona archeologica di Tyndaris
Patti
(13 Km)
Nestled on the highest point of Capo Tindari is an important archaeological area composed of the Greco-Roman Amphitheatre, remains of the market, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Aeolian Islands. From here you can enjoy a unique panorama overlooking the entire Gulf of Patti and the nature reserve of the salt lakes of “Marinello”.
Tindari - Resti Mura di Cinta (396 a.c.)
Patti
(13 Km)
The city walls existed only in sections not protected by the inaccessibility of the cliffs. At the beginning of the 3rd century BC, this structure consisted of a double vestment of squared blocks and with internal filling of stone. The walls were crossed by numerous drainage channels and posters.
Teatro Greco di Tindari
Patti
(13 Km)
The Greek Theatre of Tindari is supposed to have been built in the 4th century BC on a slope close to the sea. The excavations that brought him back to light date back to 1842. Like all Greek theaters it has perfect acoustics. Unfortunately, in the Imperial Age the Theater was used for circus games and after suffering damage its blocks were used for the reconstruction of the walls.
Fontana Drago
Capo d'Orlando
(14 Km)
From an uncertain era and recently restored. Completely made of sandstone, it is decorated with majolica from the school of Naso (between the 17th century and the beginning of the nineteenth century). A gentle coat of arms embellished the fountain, but unfortunately it was stolen in 1985.
Museo Fondazione Famiglia Piccolo di Calanovella
Capo d'Orlando
(14 Km)
The museum is located inside a refined and elegant villa, late 19th century. The famous writer Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, author of “The Leopard” stayed here often, linked by a particular friendship with the Piccolo. In the museum-foundation you can admire paintings, photographs, ceramics, antique weapons.