Discover Faro Superiore: Church, Wine and Historic Buildings

Faro Superiore combines sacred tradition, winegrowing and historic buildings. These include the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, the Santuario della Madonna della Guardia, the vineyards of Bonavita, as well as the so-called “Castello del Duca” and the Faro Superiore/Curcuraci defensive complex.

Church, Sanctuary and Religious Festival Dates in Faro Superiore

The Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta is the parish church of Faro Superiore and is located on Via Regina Elena. Its façade features a central openwork rose window and a small crenellated clock tower that serves as a bell tower.

The Santuario della Madonna della Guardia is a spiritual centre founded in 1920 in the village of Faro Superiore, among the green hills of Curcuraci. The festival in honour of the SS. Vergine della Guardia is celebrated at the sanctuary every year on 29 August. The festivities of Maria Santissima Assunta in Faro Superiore (Messina) are scheduled for the period from 24 August to 30 August 2026. Both the annual date and the festival period scheduled for 2026 fall in August.

The bell that rang by itself on the cold February night of 1554 is still kept in Faro Superiore today. The February night thus forms a temporal counterpoint to the August dates.

Abandoned Buildings and the Faro Superiore/Curcuraci Defensive Complex

The so-called “Castello del Duca” in Faro Superiore is an abandoned, dilapidated aristocratic residence decorated with frescoes.

The Faro Superiore/Curcuraci defensive complex consists of three buildings connected by a corridor.

Winegrowing, Terraces and Faro DOC Above the Strait of Messina

The production area of Faro red wine includes Faro Superiore in the northern hills above the Strait of Messina. The vineyards of Bonavita are located on terraces at an altitude of 250 to 300 metres and form a natural amphitheatre overlooking the Strait of Messina.

Bonavita’s Faro DOC is made from a blend comprising 60 percent Nerello Mascalese, 30 percent Nerello Cappuccio and 10 percent Nocera.

At Santi Sofi, the first vines were planted in Faro Superiore in 1950.

The Le Casematte wine cellar has a panoramic tasting room. The name Le Casematte in Faro Superiore derives from three small fortifications from the First and Second World Wars that served as accommodation for sentries.

Weekday Bus Service between Marotta and Faro Superiore

ATM bus route 27 connects Marotta with Faro Superiore on weekdays. The weekday bus service between Marotta and Faro Superiore specifically supports travel planning outside the weekend for a stay there.

Further destinations for your planning: Mongiuffi, San Leonardo, Messina, San Marco D'alunzio, Calavà, Alì, Alcara Li Fusi, Scaletta Marina

To the higher-level travel overview: Messina.