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.

The church of S. Giorgio

…Enjoy your tour in Castelmola!

This wonderful village, that has been included in The world patrimony’s list of UNESCO, is a real masterpiece of the medieval creativity and it shows the relevant italian skill in the architectural and urban domain.

The uniqueness of this small city is due to the presence of 72 towers whose just 14 are still there to be admired. This towers proliferation was a symbol of richness of  the local big merchant families.

Panoramic view of San Gimignano

The following ones are the monuments you can’t miss once in San Gimignano:

- Piazza della Cisterna: this square was built during the XIV century and here there were many taverns and emporiums. It is surrounded by palaces that date back to the XIII and the XIV century. You can also admire a fountain built in 1273. Nowadays crossing the two main streets, San Matteo and San Giovanni street, you can find many shops and galleries that still keep their medieval appearance.

Piazza della Cisterna

- The Promenade of the walls that form the urban perimeter built during the XIII century. From this place you can admire a beautiful landscape of all the Tuscan territory.

- Palazzo del Podestà: This palace is places in the Piazza del Duomo (Dome Square) and is closed to the Palazzo del Popolo.

- Museo Civico Palazzo del Popolo: This palace that hosts the Civic Museum is placed in Piazza del Duomo near the Palazzo del Podestà. This palace tower, finished in 1311, is the highest in the city (54 metres) and from its top it is possible to admire a wonderful landscape. The courtyard and the first room are ornamented with ancient frescos. At the first floor among the several paints there is the ” Madonna con i Santi Gregorio e Benedetto” (1511) by the Pinturicchio. Both the museum and the tower are opened everyday.

Palazzo del Popolo

- Museo d’Arte Sacra e Museo Etrusco (The Sacred Art Museum and the Etruscan Museum). Address: Piazza Pecori (Pecori Square). These museums are opened everyday and during the summer you will be welcomed by street players. Here you can find prestigious religious works connected to the local medieval traditions.

- Collegiata o Duomo (Dome). Address: Piazza del Duomo (Dome Square). It is opened everyday. This Romanic church was built during the XII century and its  simple façade contrasts with the rich interior ornaments that make it one of the most painted a fresco church in Italy. Its aisles are characterized by frescos representing biblical scenes, 26 episodes of the Old Testament and scenes of the Christ’s life. Other wonderful frescos characterize the baptistery and the chapel of Santa Fina.

La Collegiata or Dome

- Rocca. Address: Piazza Propostura (Propostura Square). This fortress was built in 1353 and just one of its two original towers is now visible. Here you can admire a beautiful landscape on the surrounding the local vineyards.

- Piazza Sant’Agostino (Sant’Agostino Square). Here you can visit the church of Sant’Agostino that was anointed in 1298. Its façade is very simple and the internal structure is characterized by an unique aisle. Here you can admire many frescos representing Sant’Agostino’s life and a laboured marble altar ornamented by bas-relieves representing San Bartolomeo’s life in the chapel dedicated to this saint.

- Church of San Bartolo. This Romanic construction dates back to the XII century.

Staying in Tuscany you can also taste the yummy local wines and dishes: one of the most famous of them is the florentine steak.

… Enjoy your stay in San Gimignano!