Visit to the medieval village of Castelbuono

Just over 30 minutes from Cefalù, nestled at the foot of Monte Milocco and immersed in the picturesque scenery of the Madonie Park, is Castelbuono – one of the most fascinating medieval villages in all of Sicily.

The origins of this ancient town date back to the Middle Ages, precisely in 1316, when Francesco I of Ventimiglia built a castle on a pre-existing settlement. Around this structure was born and developed the urban core of Castelbuono.

Today, among the main tourist attractions in Castelbuono are the Castello dei Ventimiglia and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, known as Matrice Vecchia. The castle stands on an old Byzantine farmhouse, later transformed during the Arab and Norman domination. The structure, now well preserved, is divided into three levels plus an underground floor, with a central body and four towers at the corners.
Inside the castle, one of the most precious environments is the Palatine Chapel of Sant’Anna, decorated in baroque style with golden stuccos depicting angels and religious allegories.

Castelbuono also offers interesting museum spaces. The Museo Civico houses collections related to the cult of Sant’Anna, a permanent gallery of modern art, and temporary exhibitions that follow each other during the year. Don’t miss the Museo Naturalistico Francesco Minà Palumbo, which preserves the collections of the famous naturalist collected during his studies on the Madonie between 1837 and 1899.

But Castelbuono is not only art and history: it is also a gastronomic tradition. The local cuisine, simple but rich in authentic flavors, reflects the great variety and quality of ingredients typical of the Mediterranean diet. Almonds, pistachios, raisins, parsley, lemon, olive oil and other local raw materials give life to dishes with a strong but genuine taste, that tell the identity of a people through the scents and flavors of its land.