Ventimiglia Di Sicilia

Ventimiglia Di Sicilia combines a protected landscape with museums, historical traces and festivals that reveal the character of the town. Here, you can choose between experiences in nature, geological and archaeological discoveries, and insights into local history. This makes the town suitable for a trip where the focus is not just on a single excursion destination, but on the connection between different themes.

Nature among rocks, valleys and ancient paths

The “Riserva Naturale Pizzo Cane, Pizzo Trigna e Grotta Mazzamuto” nature reserve includes caves, rocks, valleys, streams, grazing land and forests. The protected landscape around Ventimiglia di Sicilia can be explored via hiking trails and old mule tracks. A network of paths in the Pizzo Cane nature reserve leads along organised nature and hiking routes supported by local associations and guides. This means that, alongside exploring independently, visitors can also benefit from a documented form of guidance through the landscape.

One of the notable natural attractions is Grotta Leone. Its entrance resembles the profile of a lion; inside are stalactites and stalagmites. The site therefore combines a striking external form with geological features. Those wishing to explore nature around Ventimiglia Di Sicilia will find a variety of landscapes here: open areas, wooded sections, waterways, rocks and a cave.

Museums and traces of the past

The Museo Civico on Piazza Santa Rosalia displays an archaeological collection with ceramic fragments, vessels, coins, tools and other finds from the area around Ventimiglia di Sicilia. The Museo della Montagna on Via Umberto I, by contrast, focuses on fossils, rocks, minerals and other natural-history finds. The two museums therefore have different focuses: one contextualises human remains and artefacts, while the other is dedicated to the geological history of the area. The Museo della Montagna also organises educational activities for schools on topics related to the mountains.

The town’s history also reaches far back. In 1627, the Contessa, who had meanwhile been elevated to the rank of Principessa through a royal privilege, applied for and obtained permission to establish and settle a new settlement. In Contrada “Castellaccio”, on the northern edge of today’s town centre, there is a considerably older settlement of historical and archaeological significance, which may be the ancient “CALAMIGNA”. Seals, coins, pieces of jewellery and other objects have been found at this site, documenting various historical periods.

Chiesa Madre and local traditions

The Chiesa Madre was completed in 1628. Its complex includes the church, the bell tower, the clock and the choir. The church also contains a 16th-century panel altarpiece attributed to Antonello Crescenzo, known as “il Panormita”. The church is therefore at once a building, a historical landmark and a site with an art-historical detail.

Maria Santissima del Rosario is the patron saint of Ventimiglia di Sicilia and is celebrated there every year on the first Sunday in October. The Festa della Madonna del Rosario includes a traditional fair for agricultural equipment and a fair for typical products. The Sagra del “Feudo di Calamigna” features performances and tastings of typical products. On 11 August 2024, the ninth edition of “I Sapori del Feudo di Calamigna” took place, featuring a historical procession, guided tours, a market and tastings of typical products. Depending on your interests, you can therefore combine your stay with nature, history, religious tradition or regional cuisine.

Getting there and other places in Sicily

One listed route from Palermo to Ventimiglia di Sicilia follows the A19 motorway towards Catania, takes the Bagheria exit and then continues along the SP 16 through Baucina to Ventimiglia di Sicilia. For further research within the wider range of destinations in Sicily, you can also find Petralia Sottana, Montemaggiore Belsito, Misilmeri, Polizzi Generosa, Lascari, Gangi, Paterna and San Giuseppe Jato.

For the higher-level travel overview: Palermo.