Discover Alimena: Holiday apartment in Alimena between culture and landscape

Alimena lies in the catchment area between the Salso River and its tributary, the Imera Meridionale, at the foot of the Balza d’Areddula at an altitude of 1,007 m. Its location combines landscapes, stone architecture, trails and festivals rich in tradition to create a destination with many different facets. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Alimena, you will find opportunities for active days, cultural discoveries and local specialities.

Landscape and history around Alimena

The Balza Edera, also known as Balza Areddula, is considered a broad natural terrace overlooking Sicily and was once inhabited by the Sicanians. In the historic centre, houses and palazzi made of the white stone typical of Alimena have been preserved. This includes Palazzo Calabrese, which was built according to a design by the engineer Utveggio.

The history of the town began with its foundation on 21 February 1628 by Antonio Alimena, based on a concession from the Spanish King Philip IV. In 1629, Antonio Alimena built the first church, dedicated to S.M. Maddalena. Due to population growth, Vincenzo Del Bosco had the new Chiesa Madre built in 1723 opposite the Marchese’s palace. The Chiesa Madre is a Baroque church built in 1724, with a bell tower from the same period; its altars are adorned with paintings from the 18th century. The Chiesa del Convento di S.Maria di Gesù was begun in 1731 at the behest of Vincenzo del Bosco, Prince of Belvedere, and completed in 1738. The Chiesa di Sant’Alfonso was originally an octagonal Spanish watchtower built around 1600 on Colle Quisisana and was converted into a church in 1837 at the request of the people of Alimena.

Trails and holiday apartments in Alimena

Two clearly different trail experiences are available for active travel plans. Sentiero 58 leads from Petralia Soprana to Alimena via a 25 km MTB descent along the bed of the Imera Meridionale or Salso River. The 16th stage of the Antica Trasversale Sicula leads between Vallelunga Pratameno and Villapriolo through Alimena and reaches the town via Portella San Filippo. A holiday apartment in Alimena can therefore be interesting if you would like to combine culture and landscape with a cycling or hiking tour.

Traditions, festivals and specialities

Traditional products from Alimena include typical sweets for Easter and Christmas, as well as artisanally produced cured meats. The feast of Santa Lucia includes a tasting of savoury Cuccia on 13 December. The Sagra del Ficodindia takes place in September.

The festival calendar also shapes Alimena’s cultural character. Settimana Santa includes an evening Good Friday procession. During the Holy Week procession, orally transmitted Lamenti are sung, recalling important moments of Christ’s Passion. From 29 August to 2 September, a street fair with sales stalls takes place along the Corso principale and in Via Palermo, Via Roma, Via Catania and Via Vittorio Emanuele.

The history of the white stone also includes the fact that high-quality limestone was once quarried at Balza Areddula behind Alimena using explosives. The extracted stone blocks were divided into smaller elements, roughly worked and transported down to Alimena by mule; each mule carried two blocks weighing approximately 50 kg.

Getting to Alimena

By car, Alimena can be reached from Palermo or Catania via the A19 Palermo–Catania motorway and the Resuttano exit.

More travel ideas

For more travel ideas, you can also explore Pioppo, Finale, Lercara Friddi, Isola Delle Femmine, Cefalù, Collesano, Partinico and Monreale.

For the higher-level travel overview: Palermo.