Centre of Local Culture CASTELBUONO

Centre of Local Culture

CASTELBUONO

DESCRIPTION

Castelbuono, 9 000 inhabitants, is located in the Madonie natural Park, in the northern part of Sicily, about 90 km from Palermo. It was first a small village called Ypsigro (from the ancient Greek psychro, cold). It changed of name and began to develop from the 14^th century when the Ventimiglia, one of the most powerful Sicilian families, decided to build a castle there. 

Nowadays, Castelbuono is the biggest and most active town in the Madonie area. Its location ideally combines sea and mountain, as Castelbuono is only 15 km from the coast and lies at the foot of the Carbonara massif, the second highest mountain in Sicily after Mount Etna (Pizzo Carbonara is 1979 m).

Castelbuono offers lively cultural life (many festivals and celebrations), precious works of art by major Sicilian artists (Serpotta, Gagini, Laurana), fascinating traditions (harvest of the manna from the ash trees) and amazing nature (the Madonie is one of the richest places in the Mediterranean regarding biodiversity).

PLACES OF GREAT INTEREST

·   Castello dei Ventimiglia: Castelbuono’s castle shelters a beautiful baroque chapel by the Serpotta brothers, a rich sacred art section as well as permanent and temporary contemporary art exhibitions.

·   Matrice Vecchia: church from the 14^th century with frescos, a valuable polyptych from the 16^th century and a Madonna attributed to Antonello Gagini. 

·   San Francesco church: this baroque church gives access to the Ventimiglia mausoleum, with an imposing portal attributed to Francesco Laurana.

·   Torre dell’orologio: clock tower with mechanism from 1885.

·   Piano Pomo (1400 m): small wood of giant centuries-old hollies. Such hollies are a rarity and equivalents can only be found in very few places in northern Europe.

TOURISTIC SERVICES

The CLC is able to offer the following experiences:

-   old crafts tour (blacksmith, shoemaker, barber, lacemaker, taylor, etc.)

-   history and art tour,

-   travel photography tour.

All these tours can be made walking or with electric bikes.

-   cooking classes at the locals’ homes or in local restaurants, dinners with local people

-   traditional dances and songs performed by local people

-   visit to a manna producer in an ash tree grove (in summer)

ORGANIZED TOURS FROM CASTELBUONO LED BY THE CLC (half or full day)

·   Guided walk to Piano Pomo (half-day)

·   Guided walk with donkeys including visit of Santa Anastasia winery and wine tasting (full day)

·   Guided walk to the Gorges of Tiberio with crossing of the Gorges in rubber dinghy (full day)

·   Wild orchids itinerary (in April) – transported tour with several stops to observe the many wild orchids growing in the Madonie in the spring (half-day)

·   Panoramic tour of the Madonie (transported) with stops in medieval villages and visit to a traditional shepherd (full day)

EVENTS AND EXPERIENCES NOT TO MISS

1. St Ann’s celebrations, 25^th – 27^th July. People from Castelbuono are deeply attached to their patron saint, who was Mary’s mother and Jesus Christ’s grand-mother. Moving procession on 27^th July with the saint’s relics.

2. Giro podistico – 26^th August. Oldest street footrace in Europe (since 1912).

3. Ypsigrock – August. Indie-rock festival with renowned international bands.

4. Castelbuono Jazz festival – August.

5. DiVino festival – summer. Wine festival with gastronomic and musical event.

6. Infiorata – June. Decorative works made on the street ground with flower petals and other vegetal products.

7. Funghi Fest – October. Mushrooms festival with gastronomic events, visits and botanic walks.

8. Bluegrass enduro tour – September-October. International mountain bike race.

9. San Giovanni – 24^th June. Broad beans and potatoes cooked in traditional pots in the streets of the historical town centre

10. San Giuseppe – 19th March. Typical dishes (e.g.: wild edibles with broad beans, cardoon fritters, etc.), tables decorated with bread dough adornments.

CONTACTS

Proloco Castelbuono

Piazza Margherita (ex carcere)

90013 Castelbuono (PA)

Italy

(0039) 0921 673467

prolococastelbuono@libero.it

http://www.prolococastelbuono.it

Laetitia Bourget (English, French, Spanish)

(0039) 327 0410244

info@homemadesicily.com

Elisabeth Barreca (English, German, French)

(0039) 327 7805489

elisabeth.barreca@hotmail.com