Mongiuffi – Churches, Aqueduct and Historic Paths

Mongiuffi can be discovered through its buildings, historic paths and vibrant religious traditions. Churches, chapels, an aqueduct and festivals represent different cultural and historical themes. This range is complemented by paths through the landscape.

Historic Buildings and Special Details

Among the notable buildings is the Palazzo del Marchesato, whose construction began in 1640. The Chiesa San Nicolò di Bari was built around 1690. Inside are a holy water font and a baptismal font made of red Taormina stone, both bearing the coat of arms of the Corvaja family. The parish church Chiesa di Santa Maria del Monte Carmelo houses marble statues of the Madonna della Catena and the Madonna della Vena.

The Chiesa di San Sebastiano is a noble chapel dating from the 16th century. Its altar of Saint Joseph dates from 1644. The ancient 16th-century chapel of San Leonardo offers another insight into the area’s religious history. It contains a 17th-century altar with a relief of Saint Leonardo made of white marble.

An unusual historical testimony is the Galleria di Postoleone. It was excavated in solid limestone during the wartime period from 1915 to 1918 and is located at kilometer 4 of the SP 11 between Letojanni and Mongiuffi Melia. The Galleria can be crossed by any means of transport.

Paths through the Landscape

The Pianura di Margi is a stone-paved path. It leads through trees to the ruins of a Roman camp on a wooded ridge. This path therefore connects a specific landscape setting with a historic destination. The Scala Saracena, by contrast, begins in Contrada Uttara on the banks of the Ghiodaro River, near an old water mill, and leads to Contrada Rocche. You can reach the Scala Saracena from Contrada Uttara.

The Acquedotto Greco-Romano, also known as the Acquedotto del Diavolo, likewise represents the area’s long history. It was built by the Greeks around 200 BC, is approximately 25 kilometers long and served to convey water to Taormina. The aqueduct can be reached via the Strada provinciale 14. Near it, the Santuario Madonna della Catena was built at the beginning of the 15th century, beside the ruins of a Greco-Roman aqueduct. The Madonna della Libera sanctuary stands on Colle Mongilone and replaces an earlier wayside chapel dedicated to the Virgin. A’ Vina is a spring along the road to the Santuario Madonna della Catena.

Festivals, Processions and Local Traditions

Religious life is particularly evident in the festivals. The Festa degli Angeli was introduced in 1830 by Marchese Francesco Rao Corvaja as a peace festival, to reaffirm the restored harmony between the two communities. The sacred performance associated with this festival is repeated every Easter Monday.

The Festa di San Sebastiano takes place on January 20 and includes a procession through Melia. Blessed arrows made from bread dough and baked in a wood-fired oven are distributed. The Festa di San Leonardo is celebrated on November 6 after a preparatory novena; the saint’s processional statue is displayed publicly beforehand. The festival also includes the presentation of a traditional braided bread called Cuddura, as well as the distribution of smaller Cuddure to the procession participants. Culinary and regional impressions are also offered by the event “San Martino, Odori e sapori della Valle del Ghiodaro,” which takes place annually around mid-November.

Getting There and Further Destinations

From Messina, the route follows the A18 toward Taormina, then the SS 114 toward Letojanni, as well as the SP 13 and SP 11 toward Mongiuffi Melia. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore first consider whether historic buildings, paths, religious sites or a festival should be the focus of your stay. This allows you to align your search for suitable accommodation with the desired type of stay, without reducing the area to a single excursion destination.

If you would like to compare other Sicilian destinations, you can find [Alcara Li Fusi](Alcara Li Fusi), [Capizzi](Capizzi), [Acquacalda](Acquacalda), [San Pier Niceto](San Pier Niceto), [Sant’Alessio Siculo](Sant’Alessio Siculo), [Lingua](Lingua), [Ginostra](Ginostra) and [Brolo](Brolo).

To the higher-level travel overview: Messina.