Let us discuss The Stone Village which is one of the highest and beautiful in Sicily.
With its insane wingspan of up to two and a half meters, the golden eagle soars above the peaks of Madonie Park and it is not uncommon to see it in flight. On this Sicilian mountain range (remember that Madonie represents the end of the Apennines) stands the highest village in the area, Petralia Soprano. As the name suggests, it is a town built of stone that has not lost any of its medieval charm: it is part of the circuit of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy and was named “Borgo dei Borghi” in 2018. Today it has around three thousand inhabitants, but according to folk traditions, in ancient times, “giants” lived here (as well as on the whole island) and bones have been preserved in the city, which would seem to prove this… is it true? We will find out on this trip to the mountains of Sicily!
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On a motorbike in Madonie: an itinerary for Petralia Soprano the Stone Village
Map
Way
For riders on a “sea” holiday a Cefalu this is a good diversion for another day, in the naturalistic scenarios of Sicily, which few know. Take the SS113 state road to reach Sant’Ambrogio and the SS286 state road that leads to the Madonie mountains. OF Castelbuono forward curves and hairpin bends increase. Past Geraci Siculo you have to turn right onto the SS120 to finally reach your destination which is Petralia Soprana with Petralia Sottana just below.
All attractions not to be missed in Petralia Soprana
View of Petralia Soprano
With its 1,147 meters above sea level Petralia Soprana is one of the highest towns in Sicily and reaches its maximum at an altitude of 1,657 m above sea level in Pizzo Corvo – near which golden eagles nest. Located in the province of Palermo, the river Salso flows through it – not to be confused with the eponymous Salso Cimarosa, which flows in the province of Enna.
Scottsdale Museum
Near the village of Raffo, there is a rock salt mine, one of the largest rock salt mines in Europe (more than 80 km of tunnels!). It is home to MAACS – or SottoSale Museum of Contemporary Art – a museum of rock salt sculptures located inside the mine. It is open to the public with an entrance fee of €10 – the ticket includes a visit to the museum and temporary and permanent exhibitions. Reservation is required by calling 3663878751 or [email protected].
Palace of Marquis Pottin of Echifaldo
Itinerary In the house of Marquis Pottin of Echifaldo it is a visit to the medieval center of Petralia Soprana, which passes through the rooms of the ancient historical seat of the Sicilian aristocracy. The tour is organized in groups of 15/20 visitors and lasts approximately 20 minutes. The entrance fee is €2.
The Church of the Giants’ Bones and other churches of Petralia Soprana
There are several churches in Petralia Soprana that you can enter and admire the artwork and architecture, starting with the Church of Santa Maria di Loreto, the Church of Santissimo Salvatore, the Church of Santa Maria di Gesù, and the Church of San Teodoro Martyr. But above all, there is the “mother church”, the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, originally from the 14th century, into which an 18-meter bell (“bell of the Union”) was recently inserted. Inside is a strange find: Bones of the Sacred Giant, these are two large ribs which, according to popular belief, are the remains of giants who inhabited the island in ancient times. However, after scientific studies, it was proved that they belonged to cetaceans. How did they end up at 1,147 meters above sea level? One mystery is solved, and a new one opens!
The “Mother Church” of Petralia Soprano