The Official site of Castelmola in Sicily Italy, Information about the Churches, the History of Castelmola, local walks and surrounding area, including Taormina, Giardini Naxos, Isola Bella and much more.

Castelmola.com  

 History l Church of San Giorgio  l Walks l Surrounds l Sicily 


Castelmola in Sicily Italy is a beautiful village perched almost precariously above Taormina. The lovely hamlet is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.

Castelmola, this village occupying a strategic position up behind Taormina, centres around the picturesque little Piazzetta del Duomo. In one of the bars in the main square we will have the chance to taste the famous “almond wine”.Warm friendly people and spectacular panoramas characterize the village. Castelmola offers a balcony over Taormina and the bay of Giardini Naxos and is framed by the mysterious and beautiful active volcano, Mount Etna.

Its narrow winding streets and Olde world charm make Castelmola a destination for anyone wishing to experience the enchanting beauty of Sicily from one of its most spectacular villages.

Enjoy a refreshing glass of Vino di Mandorla (Almond Wine) at Bar Turrisi and be delighted by its unique decor and friendly staff, its definitely worth the visit. When you go be sure to say 'Ciao' to Massimo and Carlo Turrisi.

Castelmola is an interesting and picturesque settlement, where a certain rugged authenticity mixes with tourist-oriented craft shops. Signs lead you uphill to the thirteenth-century Castello, which is dramatically situated to command the hills and valleys.

The little streets and alleys are worth exploring before you make your way back down to Taormina. The little town has a surprisingly imposing Duomo, and several smaller churches, including the Chiesa di San Giorgio (1450) which contains a charming little statue of St. George on his charger.

There are plenty of restaurants and cafes in Castelmola, but a nice alternative is to pick up a picnic lunch from the friendly Mini Market general store along Via A. de Gasperi (which leads from Piazza San Antonio). You can have the rolls filled with delicious local cheeses, or whatever you fancy, and sit down for a pleasant outdoors meal on the next stretch of the walk. Come and visit Castelmola soon!!

Though it overlooks Taormina, one of Sicily's most popular attractions, the nearby town of Castelmola is rarely visited by non-Sicilians. Yet, the spectacular views from this fascinating spot make those from Taormina seem almost mundane by comparison. This includes Mount Etna, of course, but on a clear day you can see beyond the Etna region to Siracusa and Augusta farther down the Ionian coast, beyond Catania. More than an outgrowth of Taormina, Castelmola is a locality in its own right.

The castle (in the Castelmola district) overlooks the city. It affords a spectacular view, though it is somewhat distant from Taormina and is not particularly well preserved.The human presence here is an ancient one, dating at least from the Bronze Age. It was the Greeks who began complete colonization, linked to their establishment of Taormina. That's when the first fortresses were constructed. Little remains of these, or of the subsequent Arab and Norman fortifications, though some walls have been rebuilt. The sanctuary of the Madonna della Rocca, locally famous for its annual procession descending down steps to Taormina, offers some fantastic views. A small town eventually grew here, but rather few people live here year-round. Castelmola is better known for its restaurants, bars and pizzerias. The Turrisi Bar, with its phallic theme (in sculpture, paintings and other art) remains the most eccentric attraction. The local specialty is almond wine. The piazzas and winding streets are charming.

Unless you're arriving by helicopter, there are two ways of getting up to Castelmola. By car, simply follow the winding Castelmola road; during the day there's also a bus to Castelmola. On foot, take the steps which ascend to the sanctuary (or convent) of the Madonna della Rocca. This can be reached from the streets behind and above the Church of Saint Joseph (San Giuseppe) off one of Taormina's main squares. This presumes that you're in good health. (If it's hot, bring some water with you.)

Up on Mount Tauro, there are actually several parts of Castelmola beyond the main town and the few remaining piece of the "primary" castle. The area of the sanctuary is one of these, near the newer "secondary" castle (built upon the foundations of an ancient Greek acropolis), which is visible from Taormina. This conventual church is usually closed. In the town itself the main church, Saint George, is a newer structure built upon medieval Byzantine foundations. The local feasts are Saint George's Day (23rd April), sometimes celebrated April 22nd, and the Summer festival on August 28th.

 


Taormina in Sicily is a popular and fashionable tourist resort with famously stunning views and a picturesque Greco-Roman theatre, high above the sea and facing Etna. An attractive and permanently-fashionable destination, Taormina is known as a delightful place to stay.

Taormina is so beautifully located that it would not need great sights to attract visitors. The fact that it does have them, makes it an absolute must.

Taormina is a town on the island of Sicily in Italy, and in ancient times was a Greek colony dating from about 400 BC, which submitted to Roman authority in 212 BC during the Second Punic War.

Taormina is in the Province of Messina, together with the beautiful Aeolian Islands and the ancient city of Milazzo. It can be reached via highways (autostradas) from Messina to the North and Catania to the South. Taormina has been a very popular destination with tourists since the 19th century. It has beautiful beaches (accessible via a Funicular) by the Ionian sea, which is remarkably warm and has a high salt content.

During the early 20th century the town became a colony for expatriate artists, writers, and intellectuals. D H Lawrence stayed here at the Fontana Vecchia from 1920 to 1922, and wrote a number of his poems, novels, short stories, and essays, and a travel book, Sea and Sardinia. The Taormina Film Festival has been held for over fifty years, with international film stars viewing films on a screen erected in the Greek theatre.
 

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