Montalbano Elicona is a comune in Sicily which is well known for its medieval splendour and the castle built by Emperor Frederic II that watches over its various hamlets. This year, its beauty and history have been recognised in a more official manner and the comune has been voted the Best Borgo in Italy, 2015.
Surely, this is the perfect excuse to find a luxury villa nearby in Sicily and experience it for yourself.
This prize has been awarded to the comune by “Alle Falde del Kilimangiaro”, a famous television show broadcasted by Italy’s national public broadcasting company, RAI.
Surely, this is the perfect excuse to find a luxury villa nearby in Sicily and experience it for yourself.
This prize has been awarded to the comune by “Alle Falde del Kilimangiaro”, a famous television show broadcasted by Italy’s national public broadcasting company, RAI.
To begin 40 hamlets competed. This number was then whittled down to 20 (one from each region in Italy) and Montalbano Elicona was decided upon as the winner by viewers who rang in or voted online.
It is the second year in a row that the winner of the Borgo dei Borghi d'Italia has been Sicilian, with Gangi being last years winner. Now, as just one of the ninety such historic comunes to be awarded this honour, it is part of a rather exclusive club.
Considering all that the comune has to offer, it should come as no surprise that it has been recognised in this manner.
It is the second year in a row that the winner of the Borgo dei Borghi d'Italia has been Sicilian, with Gangi being last years winner. Now, as just one of the ninety such historic comunes to be awarded this honour, it is part of a rather exclusive club.
Considering all that the comune has to offer, it should come as no surprise that it has been recognised in this manner.
A rather small, sleepy place, populated by only around 2500 people, it is surrounded by natural beauty; ancient woods, sea views from its setting on the Nebrodi, the Sicilian Apennines, the Aeolian Islands and the Mount Etna and the green hills all around it.
It has been a melting-pot of civilisations with evidence of Romans, Byzantines, Arabian settlers and Normans who all added to the architectural and cultural development of this Montalbano Elicona.
As noted, one of the most striking features of the town is, without a doubt, its medieval castle built in the 13th century.
Once a fortress, Frederic converted it into a summer residence and made it into the grand structure that we see today. Over the years various families and rulers made it their home as Louis, King of Sicily and Frederic the Simple. Today, it is owned by the municipality and is used for exhibitions and conventions. Restored twice, Montalbano Castle is one of the most beautiful monuments in all of Sicily.
Wandering through the narrow streets of the town, however, reveals less dramatic heritage. Shops littered about offer local products that will delight such as “provola” cheeses in the shape of animals, freshly baked biscuits, home-made maccheroni pasta and ricotta infornata (fresh salted ricotta baked in the oven).
Come visit this town, see it splendid past, humble and cosy present and the majest of nature which surrounds – and decide for yourself if this corner of Sicily is Il Borgo dei Borghi d'Italia!
It has been a melting-pot of civilisations with evidence of Romans, Byzantines, Arabian settlers and Normans who all added to the architectural and cultural development of this Montalbano Elicona.
As noted, one of the most striking features of the town is, without a doubt, its medieval castle built in the 13th century.
Once a fortress, Frederic converted it into a summer residence and made it into the grand structure that we see today. Over the years various families and rulers made it their home as Louis, King of Sicily and Frederic the Simple. Today, it is owned by the municipality and is used for exhibitions and conventions. Restored twice, Montalbano Castle is one of the most beautiful monuments in all of Sicily.
Wandering through the narrow streets of the town, however, reveals less dramatic heritage. Shops littered about offer local products that will delight such as “provola” cheeses in the shape of animals, freshly baked biscuits, home-made maccheroni pasta and ricotta infornata (fresh salted ricotta baked in the oven).
Come visit this town, see it splendid past, humble and cosy present and the majest of nature which surrounds – and decide for yourself if this corner of Sicily is Il Borgo dei Borghi d'Italia!
Photo credits
picture 1: Bdsklo / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Effems / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Erm67 / GFDL
picture 1: Bdsklo / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Effems / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Erm67 / GFDL