The nice small village of Castelmola

Author: Serena

The medieval village of Castelmola is considered one of the most beautiful little towns in Italy. It is very small and characteristic even because it is placed at 500 meters height over the sea having a wonderful and unique landscape.

View of Castelmola

This is a very ancient village that was created to defend Taormina from possible attacks. Still today it is characterized by a timeless atmosphere even because here it is impossible to move by car.

Castelmola is very famous for its almond wine (a white wine flavoured with herbs, almonds, and citrus fruits) and for its ruins of the Norman fortified castle: the only things visible today are represented by its walls.

The ruins of the Norman fortified castle

Walking through its several narrow streets you will reach the square where you can see a fantastic landscape made up by the Etna with all the towns placed on its bottom, the Ionic coast, the Naxos Gardens Gulf, the S. Alessio Cape, the Messina Strait and the Calabria coast.

The landscape from Castelmola

In this square, made up by a white lava stone mosaic, there is the ancient church of S. Antonino (today an auditorium) and the historical Cafe San Giorgio.

The white lava stone mosaic

The houses are painted with pastel colours and their windows and doors are made up by Taormina stone. All the pitched roof still carry the original Sicilian tiles and all the village is ornamented with stone and wrought-iron objects.

Along the narrow streets you can find many shops selling souvenirs together with laces and embroideries created by the women of the village.

The Castelmola narrow streets

The original almonds wine can be tasted at the characteristic Bar Turrisi that shows its wooden, earthenware or ceramic phallus connected to Greek ancient beliefs.

The Bar Turrisi

In Duomo square you will find the Cathedral Dome dedicated to San Nicolo’ and built on a pre-existent sacred building whose XVIII century altar and wooden pulpit are still preserved in this church that is especially admired for its bell tower.

The Cathedral Dome

The humble small church of S. Biagio is the first sacred place built in Castelmola after the arrival of S. Pancrazio who spread here the Christian religion.

There is also the church of the Annunziata built in 1100 by the Norman king Ruggiero to thank the Holy Mary for having defeated the Saracens.

The tour in this nice village ends with the church of S. Giorgio built in 1450. Inside this church you can admire some XVII century paintings.