Montelepre – History, Festivals and Culture

Between the Tower, Museum and Golf View

Montelepre showcases its history in a particularly concentrated way at the Ventimiglia Tower. The building was constructed between 1433 and 1435 by the Archbishop of Monreale, Giovanni Ventimiglia, on the basis of a concession from King Alfonso V D'Aragona. Its architectural language points to the Norman style; typologically, the tower is equated with the typical French “donjon roman”. This brings together in one place a history of Sicilian architecture with a clearly defined European architectural classification. The historic Torre Ventimiglia is also home to the Museo Civico di Montelepre. The tower is therefore not only identified as a historic building, but is also the place where the town museum is located. From its terrace, the Ventimiglia Tower offers panoramic views of the Gulf of Castellammare. Those who wish to combine culture and landscape will therefore find two different facets of the same place here: the tower's historic architecture and the view over the gulf.

Churches and Places with a History of Their Own

The Church of Maria SS del Rosario, also known as Chiesa Madre, stands in the historic centre. Another historic trace leads to the Chiesa SS. Salvatore di Sagana. Its origins date back to the 17th century. The church was built on a hill overlooking the valley and the surrounding landscape. On the opposite side of the mountain, Monte d'Oro is associated with a necropolis called “Handle of Quarara”. Religious traditions also shape the perception of Montelepre. The Processione dei Misteri leads from the Chiesa Madre through the streets of Montelepre's historic centre. It features eighty tableaux depicting significant events from the Old and New Testaments. Visitors thus encounter a cultural connection explicitly linked to the centre, without having to consider the procession separately from the historic buildings.

Festivals, Pastries and Local Traditions

The annual calendar offers several very different opportunities to discover local culture. The Sagra della Sfincia is a traditional event in Montelepre held on 6 January. The focus is a local E-shaped pastry made from water and flour, refined with sugar, honey and cinnamon. The Sagra dei Prodotti De.Co. takes place on 30 December and combines local cuisine with a market for local products, songs and folk dances. The Sagra della Vastedda is scheduled to take place in Montelepre on 7 December. U Matrimoniu takes a completely different form: The parade takes place on the Sunday of Carnival in February and depicts a grotesque wedding with a bride, groom and guests. Every year on 6 August, the Festa del Santissimo Salvatore takes place at the Chiesa SS. Salvatore di Sagana. The various dates thus range from Epiphany through the Carnival season to December, linking churches, food, music, dance and processions with the named locations of Montelepre. Other destinations that you can also discover include Torretta, Grisì, Caccamo, Lascari, Termini Imerese, Vicari, Altavilla Milicia and Giardinello.

To the higher-level travel overview: Palermo.