Montalbano Elicona

Culture, Galleries and art sites, Tipical places

    Montalbano Elicona, reborn as a Medieval Resort, enchants with a labyrinth of alleys and the majestic Swabian-Aragonese castle. The churches, artistic treasures, showcase works from the Gagini school. The sanctuary and the scenic views from the belvedere complement the medieval charm, creating a captivating experience for visitors.

    Montalbano Elicona, an enchanting village with a rich history, reveals itself as a fascinating Medieval Resort thanks to an ambitious municipal restoration project. This ancient village, located on the heights of the Nebrodi mountains, captivates visitors with its mystical atmosphere and a labyrinth of alleys, small streets, and ‘ngone (narrow passageways) that intertwine, creating a charming historic center.

    The architectural gem of Montalbano is its castle, dominating an irregular medieval urban fabric. Dating back to Byzantine and Arab eras, the castle rises with a Norman-Swabian upper part and a Swabian-Aragonese lower part. The crenellated perimeter masonry, dating back to the Swabian period, represents one of the best-preserved “arrow-slit” defenses in Sicily. The reconstruction by Frederick II of Aragon transformed the castle into a summer palace, giving it extraordinary harmony. The royal chapel, from the Byzantine era, may hold the remains of Arnaldo da Villanova.

    In addition to the castle, Montalbano offers artistic treasures in its churches. The church of Santa Caterina features a Romanesque portal and a marble statue attributed to the Gagini school. The Mother Church, rebuilt in 1654, preserves sculptures, a fifteenth-century crucifix, and a Last Supper from the school of Guido Reni.

    Baroque works embellish Montalbano, with the magnificent portals of Casa Messina-Ballarino and Casa Mastropaolo. Via Mastropaolo hosts these works of art, dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, respectively. The Gattuso fountain, known as ‘u roggiu, and the 14th-century church of the Holy Spirit, near Porta Giovan Guerino, add further charm to the village.

    Not only art but also spirituality characterizes Montalbano. The sanctuary of Maria Santissima della Provvidenza, with its wooden statue of the Madonna, is a place of devotion and procession on August 24th. From the Portello viewpoint, the gaze embraces the peaks of the Nebrodi, Cape Milazzo, and the fascinating Aeolian Islands, completing the experience of this picturesque Sicilian village.