It is not well-known that the Sicilian hinterland, which is the true heart of the island, remains largely unknown. You can easily connect with people here in a natural, spontaneous manner. We are waiting for old cultural expressions as well as millennial traditions, and thousands of architectural, archaeological and natural treasures.
Let’s start our journey from the southwestern slopes Mount Etna in Adrano. In the Forre laviche del Simeto Nature Reserve, full of rapids, rapids, and lava caves, we will find the Saracen Bridge. This bridge was rebuilt many times throughout the centuries.
Continue onwards to Centuripe where we will visit the Archaeological Museum, which has important architectural, ceramic, and statural remains dating back from the Roman period. The Immaculate Conception Cathedral, which dates back to the seventeenth century, can be found in the historical centre. Let’s go to the next bar and try the Bersagliere, a typical local cake!
We will reach Regalbuto from Centuripe by following the signs to Pozzillo lake, where we can relax. At a short distance is Pozzillo Adventure Park which is perfect for children.
Let’s continue our journey towards Assoro. We’ll visit its beautiful Mother Church consecrated in San Leone and its Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli and its annexed Convent. Let’s try the sfinci (bread pancakes), and the almond cakes before we leave.
We will continue towards Calascibetta where we will visit the magnificent Cathedral, which is of Norman origin. We visit Malpasso’s Realmese Necropolis as well as the Canalotto, an ancient, rocky village. Continue on towards Villarosa, where we discover a unique Museum built inside disused railway wagons. The Train Museum of Villarosa is home to items from the lives of miners and peasants.
We now move to Enna , the highest regional capital of Italy.
We have a stunning view of Sicily from its Lombardia Castle. It’s a must to visit the Duomo, and take a stroll to Marconi Viewpoint. This is the terrace that lies inside Sicily.
We must taste the Naples biscuits as well as the Piacentino cheese, which has a distinctive saffron-yellow colour and is topped with black peppercorns.
The tiny Borgo Cascino is located 6 miles away from Enna. It is one of many villages that were built during fascism. Although it could appear that we are in Tuscan hills, this is actually the heart of Sicily. You can feel a strong country atmosphere in the village, which is still inhabited by just a few families. There is a large square, small church, and a tower. And there’s plenty of authentic food.
This village is worth a photo shoot.
Continue our journey in Caltanissetta, following the mines story. We visit the Mineralogical Museum of Paleontology (sulfur quarries), and the Diocesan Museum of the Episcopal Seminary (“Speciale”) which contains many works from the churches around the Diocese, including Calascibetta. Diocesan Museum on Izi Travel guide
We visit the Moncada family’s Renaissance and Baroque monuments in the Old Town: the Cathedral and the churches of St. Dominic and St. Agatha at the College and Palazzo Moncada. You must try the local nougat before you leave!
Chiesa Sant’Agata – Caltanissetta – ph. Lillo Micciche
Let’s go to the Museum Trabia Tallarita, a former mine near Sommatino. This will take us on a virtual journey through the underground mining tunnels with strong inclinations. The Village of Santa Rita, a collection of houses that nestle in the Agrigento countryside, is not far away. One of many areas that could be abandoned. This place is home to an old bakery. It has survived despite all logic. In 1999, the original bread-making techniques were rediscovered. They used stone-milling and studied ancient yeasts and flours from Sicilian ancient grain. The only wood oven was used to make ancient bread. This bread lasts for a week . You should visit this place to taste the delicious breads made with traditional techniques and natural products, and to take in the peaceful village life. You can also visit the micro-intangible museum of wheat and bread.
Let’s now go to Montedoro Astronomical Observatory via the huge expanse of Canicatti Nero d’ Avola and catarratto vineyards. The Aquilae Grillo won the award for Best World White Wine 2016 Let’s relax in Serradifalco before we head to Adventure Park Antiche Zolfare. Let’s stop for a moment to admire the migratory birds in the Lago Sprano Nature Reserve.
Let’s now dive into a moonscape. This is a barren landscape with badlands that belong to the Vallone. It’s a deep depression on the mountain with narrow grooveterritories, which makes our journey both difficult and fascinating.
Let’s go to Mussomeli which is a medieval village. We’ll then visit the archaeological museum of Palazzo Sgadari, which exhibits artifacts mostly found on the Polizzello website. The majestic Chiaramonte Castle is just a few kilometers away. The Castle is built on a rock and is one of the most beautiful castles in Sicily. It has many halls, tunnels reservoirs prisons crenellated towers, crenellated towers, prisons, crenellated towers, prisons and other structures.
Nearby is Sutera. This beautiful Sicilian village, known for its Arab district, is overlooked by San Paolino Sanctuary. It was built on the same rock.
Let’s start at the top of Sutera and look down to the valley between Campofranco e Milena. This is where the Platani crosses the Gallo d’Oro. Not far from Campofranco we can see Monte Conca Nature Reserve, a spectacular sinkhole that is a national geological attraction.
Let’s cross the river Platani to enter the province Agrigento between San Giovanni Gemini and Cammarata. Let’s climb to the Mountain Reserve of Mount Cammarata highest peak, where we can enjoy the finest award-winning Agrigento cheeses and where the Route of Cheese was created.
We now travel to Santo Stefano Quisquina where dreams are mixed with reality. Here we visit the Theatre of Andromeda. This microcosm was created by the sculptor/sheperd Lorenzo Reina, who has represented Andromeda within the idyllic landscape of the Sicani Mountains.
Santa Rosalia’s cave and hermitage are a must-see in Santo Stefano di Quisquina.
We reach San Biagio Platani via Alessandria della Rocca and Bivona. There are also Sant’AngeloMuxaro and the Tomb and the Prince which belong to a larger archaeological site.
It appears to be a barrier that protects a more important area called “Monte Castello”, which is where there was probably the Kamikos. This ancient fortress belongs to the Sicani, one the three ancient peoples of Sicily.
Many graves were found here. One of the most fascinating is “cave-like”, which is a type of beehive made from rock-cut tombs. These archaeological finds are displayed in museums in Syracuse, Palermo and Agrigento as well as in the British Museum in London. The British Museum also has the golden cup. These and other evidences are a rare treasure trove of goldsmithing, and an example native manufacturing. The funerary architecture leads to the powerful “Sicani”, who chose this area as the capital of the kingdom: ” Kamikos the king Kokalos”.
After crossing the Sicani Mountains at Sant’Angelo Muxaro we continue towards Sambuca di Sicilia. This is one of the most beautiful Sicilian villages. Next we will visit the ancient villages of Burgio.
We travel through the Valley of Belice to Gibellina, where we can see the Great Cretto of Alberto Burri.
The Valle del Belice is home to the famous Vastedda cheese.
Let’s now visit Piana degli Albanesi. This colony of Albanians is still deeply rooted in its traditions and has been preserved with great care. The famous cannoli with Piana ricotta is here!
We cross the Ficuzza Wood and continue along the coast to Palermo. We then head towards the Madonie Park. This park includes many villages with rich cultural heritages that have as many as 14 museums.
The Gorges of Tiberius are nestled in a quiet and wooded valley. They are a true natural treasure. You can also enjoy winter sports in Piano Battaglia, near Petralia Soprana. This is one of the most picturesque towns in Italy. Here you will find the Madonie Adventure Park.
Continue on our journey towards gangi, an additional Sicilian village that is among the most stunning in Italy. We reach Sperlinga. This beautiful town, also famous for its castle, excavated into rock, was built in the year 1000.
We move on towards Nicosia, the city of 24 barons with its baronial palaces. Then we travel to Gagliano Castleferrato, which is a small village built around the castle and excavated into the mountain.
Continue on to and we reach the Nebrodi Park. This is the largest protected area in Sicily. We are surrounded by outdoor sports, great food and relaxation, such as the Nebrodi Black Pig.
Troina is home to the Duomo, and the Arab Norman route. The Guastella Cu sammucu is one of the real delights. It’s a stuffed focaccia bread with elderflower, stuffed with sausages and tuma chunks.
Continue on to Maniace. Here, a beautiful park surrounds Nelson Castle. It houses many items that belonged the English Admiral. Continue on towards Randazzo to visit the Palazzo Scala. This beautiful old town houses the Museum of Natural Sciences.
We return to the Peloritani Mountains and end our journey by visiting Montalbano Elicona, another Sicilian town among the most stunning in Italy.
We will feel like we are in the most authentic and unusual Sicily when we look out from the castle’s terrace.
