Holiday apartment in Castroreale: Art, History and Mountains

A holiday apartment in Castroreale takes you to a place where the Peloritani Mountains, art, architectural history and local festivals come together. Castroreale is situated amid the Peloritani Mountains. This gives you different options when planning your holiday: a historical tour, sacred art, extensive panoramic views or a predominantly mountainous route. You can therefore choose a holiday apartment in Castroreale based on your preferred combination of culture, landscape, outdoor activities and special events.

Art and Architectural History in Castroreale

The Museo Civico is housed in the former Oratorio di San Filippo Neri and includes a Salvator Mundi by Polidoro Caldara da Caravaggio. The Duomo was built in the first third of the 17th century and dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It houses a polyptych of the Nativity, created in 1550 by Giovan Filippo Criscuolo. The Duomo also contains a sundial with a camera obscura system, designed by Nicolò Perroni Basquez in 1854.

The tour of the historic centre begins at Piazza delle Aquile. The art-historical heritage also includes the Museo Parrocchiale e degli Arredi Sacri in the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, with five panels from the late 14th century and a Flemish triptych from the 16th century. The Church of Sant’Agata houses an Annunciation by Antonello Gagini dating from 1519. The statue known as Cristo Lungo is carried in procession there on 23 and 25 August and during Holy Week.

Towers, Churches and Mountain Landscapes

The Torre di Federico II is the only surviving relic of the castle that Frederick II of Aragon had built in 1324. From there, panoramic views extend from the Peloritani Mountains to the Aeolian Islands. The Chiesa della Candelora dates from the late 14th century and was probably the chapel of the castle of Frederick II of Aragon. Every year on 2 February, the Candelora festival is celebrated there with the blessing of the candles. The Chiesa di Santa Marina incorporates parts of Castroreale’s fortification system, including a tower into which the San Lorenzo chapel was integrated.

Route, Planetarium and Biscuits

Itinerario 2 begins in Castroreale and is predominantly a mountain route that leads via a mule track into the Vallone Pumia. If you would like to combine culture and physical activity, you can include this starting point as another focus in your planning. Visits to the Andromeda Digital Planetarium can be reserved by telephone on 349 7167804. Culinary and festive occasions also shape your stay: Castroreale is particularly known for its biscuits, including u biscottu castricianu and u biscottu da badissa. The Sagra del Biscotto Castriciano takes place every year in August in Castroreale.

For further travel planning: Mistretta, Misserio, Santa Teresa Di Riva, Graniti, Sant'angelo Di Brolo, Acquedolci, Pianoconte, Floresta

For the higher-level travel overview: Messina.