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.
 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
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.
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