The Cathedral
The village of Castroreale: is it a dream or am I awake?
05 July 2022 - Categorie: Cultural tourism, Cities of Art and Villages, The places of the heart Tags:
A few kilometres from Messina in beautiful eastern Sicily, you may find a gem in the Peloritani Mountains that is called Castroreale, an enchanting village that is part of the "The most beautiful villages in Italy" circuit together with Montalbano Elicona. The town has just over 2000 inhabitants but 80 churches, characteristic houses and some of them even dating back to the thirteenth century, and the famous tower, the only remnant of the castle that Frederick II of Aragon built in 1324. Castroreale still maintains its charm and the aura of the past and, apart from the infinite historical, cultural and architectural beauties, it constitutes an excellent bridge for many of the beauties of this part of the island that you cannot fail to explore during your holidays. Among the many, Taormina with its architectural beauties, including the Greek Theater, the EtnaPark, the Alcantara Gorges, the Nebrodi Mountains, Caltagirone. And why not have as a base one of our fantastic luxury villas in the area with their swimming pools for exclusive use and their views over the bay of the city?
In this magical place where a peaceful silence surrounds its narrow and steep streets, it almost seems that time has stopped in a distant era. Not surprisingly, the territory is full of fascinating stories and legends, one of which tells of a first version of Castroreale founded by a King from the Middle East, Artenomo, who built a city dedicated to his daughter Artemisia. The place then became a settlement named Kastros wanted by the husband of Artemisia herself, Castroreo. But the first certain historical information dates back to the fourteenth century when the village assumed strategic importance thanks to the enlargements commissioned by Frederick II of Aragon. He had the castle built, of which today only the Tower remains, and around it a fortified nucleus for defensive purposes. In fact, the name Castroreale derives from the Latin and means Royal Fortress. Over the centuries, this wonderful place has experienced moments of glory and economic, cultural and artistic prosperity, passing from one population to another and the traces of which are still visible: Arabs, Normans, Spaniards. Castroreale is truly a little jewel of Sicily that you cannot ignore during your trip.
In this magical place where a peaceful silence surrounds its narrow and steep streets, it almost seems that time has stopped in a distant era. Not surprisingly, the territory is full of fascinating stories and legends, one of which tells of a first version of Castroreale founded by a King from the Middle East, Artenomo, who built a city dedicated to his daughter Artemisia. The place then became a settlement named Kastros wanted by the husband of Artemisia herself, Castroreo. But the first certain historical information dates back to the fourteenth century when the village assumed strategic importance thanks to the enlargements commissioned by Frederick II of Aragon. He had the castle built, of which today only the Tower remains, and around it a fortified nucleus for defensive purposes. In fact, the name Castroreale derives from the Latin and means Royal Fortress. Over the centuries, this wonderful place has experienced moments of glory and economic, cultural and artistic prosperity, passing from one population to another and the traces of which are still visible: Arabs, Normans, Spaniards. Castroreale is truly a little jewel of Sicily that you cannot ignore during your trip.
The Tower
Piazza delle Aquile
There are really many things to see inside this delightful village: it will take you less than two hours to be able to explore it in its entirety and comfortably on foot. The first stop can only be the Cathedral of Castroreale dating back to the fifteenth century, with its splendid marble sculptures. The Cathedral also overlooks Piazza delle Aquile, the undisputed and unmissable viewpoint of the town. Following the famous Tower, the only remnant of the Castle wanted by Frederick II, the Civic Museum which houses numerous works of art and the Planetarium, a simulator of the celestial vault that projects a reproduction of the sky on a dome through the use of real images. What are you waiting for? Eastern Sicily, the most popular destination for national and international tourism, is ready to give you a dream vacation between past and present.
Recommended villas
Buena Vista: Majestic and elegant private villa in one of the most sought-after cities by world tourism: Taormina. With its 3000 square meters of garden, get ready for a holiday in the colors of eastern Sicily, enjoy the quiet inside the wonderful Jacuzzi located on the terrace of the house to give you an unprecedented view of the sea and the bay of the city since always most praised by writers, philosophers and artists such as Goethe, Nietzsche and Klimt.
Borgo degli Aranci: In the village of Fiumefreddo, at the foot of Mount Etna and in front of the Ionian Sea, this spectacular residence is born, surrounded by citrus trees whose scent of oranges will delight your holidays. The residence is divided into three wonderful houses close to each other and surrounded by 11 hectares of land whose green lawn will lead you to the splendid swimming pool overlooking the gentle slope that naturally slopes towards the sea.
Villa Tao: Immersed in a garden of over 2000 square meters full of plants with Mediterranean colors and scents, Villa Tao is a sensational villa with a modern and Sicilian taste far from the chaos of the city despite being a 10-minute walk from the town of Letojanni. With its splendid private swimming pool, its 6-seater Jacuzzi and its large and shaded patio, the residence is the perfect solution for large groups and is ready to give you moments of total peace and harmony while surrounded by the sounds of north-eastern nature.
Viagrande: Luxurious villa with private pool located in Viagrande, on the south-eastern side of Etna. Furnished with taste and elegance but with a modern spirit, this splendid residence will give you moments of absolute quiet on its well-equipped and covered terrace or in its swimming pool immersed in the green of the English lawn and surrounded by Mediterranean plants.
Villaetna: Wonderful residence that was born a few kilometers from the Etna Volcano Park, detached from the chaos of the city and the classic tourist circuits to give you the opportunity to breathe the pure and nostalgic Sicily of an aristocratic past. Villaetna is an aristocratic house in fact renovated with great taste and attention to detail to preserve its splendid Baroque architecture. With its fantastic private swimming pool surrounded by the green nature of eastern Sicily, it is ready to give you immense peace and tranquility but also an excellent starting point for exploring this delightful part of the island.
La Timpa: In the heart of a small and characteristic fishing village called Santa Tecla, famous for its many restaurants overlooking the sea and full of fresh fish, this delightful residence is born a few steps from Acireale. With its wonderful private swimming pool surrounded by a lush garden with an all-Mediterranean flavor and with its view of the very blue Sicilian sea, it will give you moments of peace and fun whether you are with family or friends, from adults to children.
Villa Luce: A few kilometers from Taormina, one of the most important international tourist centers and one of the greatest destinations of the famous Grand Tour, this wonderful property is born: Villa Luce. How can you resist the charm of this location rich in history? Located on a hill 206 meters high with Mount Etna in the background, Taormina remains suspended between rocks and the sea. Place that has inspired world famous writers such as André Gide, Salvatore Quasimodo and Truman Capote or famous people such as Liz Taylor and Greta Garbo. You just have to let yourself be caressed by the sea breeze in the large terraces of Villa Luce that will give you an unprecedented and uninterrupted view of the sea and the bay of the city. Whether you want to relax on the sofas of the spacious outdoor patio on the first floor, or take a dip in the refreshing swimming pool located on one of the two large terraces, this delightful residence is for you. With its 4 double bedrooms, one of which is a master bedroom on the first floor with a view of the blue sea of Taormina, the residence is ready to welcome you whether you are with family or friends.
Borgo degli Aranci: In the village of Fiumefreddo, at the foot of Mount Etna and in front of the Ionian Sea, this spectacular residence is born, surrounded by citrus trees whose scent of oranges will delight your holidays. The residence is divided into three wonderful houses close to each other and surrounded by 11 hectares of land whose green lawn will lead you to the splendid swimming pool overlooking the gentle slope that naturally slopes towards the sea.
Villa Tao: Immersed in a garden of over 2000 square meters full of plants with Mediterranean colors and scents, Villa Tao is a sensational villa with a modern and Sicilian taste far from the chaos of the city despite being a 10-minute walk from the town of Letojanni. With its splendid private swimming pool, its 6-seater Jacuzzi and its large and shaded patio, the residence is the perfect solution for large groups and is ready to give you moments of total peace and harmony while surrounded by the sounds of north-eastern nature.
Viagrande: Luxurious villa with private pool located in Viagrande, on the south-eastern side of Etna. Furnished with taste and elegance but with a modern spirit, this splendid residence will give you moments of absolute quiet on its well-equipped and covered terrace or in its swimming pool immersed in the green of the English lawn and surrounded by Mediterranean plants.
Villaetna: Wonderful residence that was born a few kilometers from the Etna Volcano Park, detached from the chaos of the city and the classic tourist circuits to give you the opportunity to breathe the pure and nostalgic Sicily of an aristocratic past. Villaetna is an aristocratic house in fact renovated with great taste and attention to detail to preserve its splendid Baroque architecture. With its fantastic private swimming pool surrounded by the green nature of eastern Sicily, it is ready to give you immense peace and tranquility but also an excellent starting point for exploring this delightful part of the island.
La Timpa: In the heart of a small and characteristic fishing village called Santa Tecla, famous for its many restaurants overlooking the sea and full of fresh fish, this delightful residence is born a few steps from Acireale. With its wonderful private swimming pool surrounded by a lush garden with an all-Mediterranean flavor and with its view of the very blue Sicilian sea, it will give you moments of peace and fun whether you are with family or friends, from adults to children.
Villa Luce: A few kilometers from Taormina, one of the most important international tourist centers and one of the greatest destinations of the famous Grand Tour, this wonderful property is born: Villa Luce. How can you resist the charm of this location rich in history? Located on a hill 206 meters high with Mount Etna in the background, Taormina remains suspended between rocks and the sea. Place that has inspired world famous writers such as André Gide, Salvatore Quasimodo and Truman Capote or famous people such as Liz Taylor and Greta Garbo. You just have to let yourself be caressed by the sea breeze in the large terraces of Villa Luce that will give you an unprecedented and uninterrupted view of the sea and the bay of the city. Whether you want to relax on the sofas of the spacious outdoor patio on the first floor, or take a dip in the refreshing swimming pool located on one of the two large terraces, this delightful residence is for you. With its 4 double bedrooms, one of which is a master bedroom on the first floor with a view of the blue sea of Taormina, the residence is ready to welcome you whether you are with family or friends.