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Castroreale


Castroreale is a charming Sicilian village located in the northwestern Peloritani Mountains. Its origin dates back to the Norman-Swabian period. Thanks to its strategic position, Castroreale has always maintained a fundamental role in the defense of the territory, ensuring over the centuries, a great economic prosperity and extension. Castroreale's medieval soul is revealed through its narrow, steep, stone-paved streets, which open onto precious piazze-belvederes, offering spectacular views that embrace the surrounding landscape. Home to important monuments, Castroreale is also home to a fascinating Planetarium. This astronomical simulator projects a faithful image of the sky and its inhabitants and offers visitors the opportunity to observe and recognize the major constellations. Finally, the village teems with spiritual fervor during annual religious celebrations, offering visitors an authentic experience of immersion in local culture. The delicious Castrician Biscuit, a symbol of the local culinary tradition, is not to be missed.
  • Village with towers
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  • Most beautiful villages in Italy
Castroreale  | GiuseppeZ/flickr
Castroreale
GiuseppeZ/flickr
Castroreale  | JohnKruger/shutterstock
Castroreale
JohnKruger/shutterstock
Castroreale  | JohnKruger/shutterstock
Castroreale
JohnKruger/shutterstock
Castroreale  | JohnKruger/shutterstock
Castroreale
JohnKruger/shutterstock
Castroreale  | Giordano Nicola/shutterstock
Castroreale
Giordano Nicola/shutterstock
Castroreale  | Domenico T./flickr
Castroreale
Domenico T./flickr
Castroreale  | Domenico T./flickr
Castroreale
Domenico T./flickr
Castroreale  | willow-n/flickr
Castroreale
willow-n/flickr
Castroreale  | willow-n/flickr
Castroreale
willow-n/flickr
Castroreale  | Domenico T./flickr
Castroreale
Domenico T./flickr
Castroreale  | Domenico T./flickr
Castroreale
Domenico T./flickr
Castroreale  | Archivio Comune Castroreale
Castroreale
Archivio Comune Castroreale
Castroreale  | Lenora Genovese/flickr
Castroreale
Lenora Genovese/flickr
A look at Castroreale
A look at Castroreale
Castroreale: Tindari promontory seen at night  | Santi De Palma - e-borghi Community
Castroreale: Tindari promontory seen at night
Santi De Palma - e-borghi Community
Castroreale: The majesty of the Duomo between the night lights  | Santi De Palma - e-borghi Community
Castroreale: The majesty of the Duomo between t...
Santi De Palma - e-borghi Community
Castroreale: Tower of Federico ll under the effect of night lights  | Santi De Palma - e-borghi Community
Castroreale: Tower of Federico ll under the eff...
Santi De Palma - e-borghi Community
Castroreale: The Campanaria Tower of the Church of SS Salvatore under the effect of fireworks lights  | Santi De Palma - e-borghi Community
Castroreale: The Campanaria Tower of the Church...
Santi De Palma - e-borghi Community
Castroreale: Piazza delle Aquile under the effect of the lights of the luminaries  | Santi De Palma - e-borghi Community
Castroreale: Piazza delle Aquile under the effe...
Santi De Palma - e-borghi Community
Castroreale: Fountain in Piazza Peculio  | Santi De Palma - e-borghi Community
Castroreale: Fountain in Piazza Peculio
Santi De Palma - e-borghi Community

About the village

A Village of History and Beauty
Castroreale, a charming Sicilian village, rises imposingly on Torace Hill, a gem set in the northwestern Peloritani Mountains. Its history is lost in the folds of antiquity, when Hieron II, king of Syracuse, defeated the Mamertines near the banks of the Longano stream in 265 BC. Today, the town, which developed around a pre-existing castle, stretches out joyfully, offering a panoramic view that will leave any visitor breathless.

The village, initially known as Cristina or Crizzina, came into being during the Norman-Swabian period. It matured its importance through the centuries due to its strategic location. It played a key role in the system of fortifications along the Tyrrhenian coast, protecting the Plain of Milazzo, and was located on vital routes that connected with forts on the Ionian coast. Thus, Castroreale grew, both in economic prosperity and in territorial extent, always remaining a state-owned town.

A medieval panorama among artistic and religious treasures
The heart of Castroreale still pulsates with medieval charm, with narrow, steep streets paved in stone or "jacatu" as it is called in the local dialect. Numerous churches and religious buildings characterize the panorama of the village, telling through their presence the historical events of the area. Prominent among them are the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the Church of St. Agatha, the Church of Candlemas, and many others rich in priceless works of art.

Not only places of worship, but also important civil structures adorn the village of Castroreale. Among these, the Tower of Frederick II can boast the title of most interesting architecture, being part of the ancient castle ordered by Frederick of Aragon. Other points of interest are the Peculio Palace, the elegant seat of the municipality, and the Monte di Pietà founded in 1581.

One of Castroreale's main attractions is its wonderful Planetarium, built by the local Andromeda association. A simulator of the vault of heaven that allows visitors to explore the universe, observe the constellations and take a journey through time to discover what the sky looked like thousands of years ago.

Local events, festivals and traditions
Castroreale vibrates with intense spirituality and religious fervor during various annual events and celebrations. Prominent among these is the celebration of the Cristo Lungo, an event that runs through the streets of the village three times a year. During the festive days, the small village comes alive with the Sagra del Biscotto Castriciano (Castrician Biscuit Festival). Stepping into the heart of Castrorealese culture, visitors will enjoy the delicious combination of local cookies with refreshing lemon granita.

As a whole, Castroreale represents a true Sicilian treasure, a place where history, art, traditions and natural beauty come together to create an unforgettable experience for anyone who decides to visit.

Village of Castroreale
Municipality of Castroreale

Metropolitan City of Messina
Sicily Region

Population: 2.468
Altitude centre: 394 m s.l.m.

the Municipality is part of:
I Borghi più belli d'Italia
Unione Valle del Patrì

Municipality of Castroreale
Piazza Pertini - Castroreale (Messina)
Tel. +39 090 9746087

= distances as the crow flies

BY CAR

  • Along the highway, the closest exits to the center of Castroreale are:
    - Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto exit (A20 Messina-Buonfornello)
    - Exit Milazzo - Aeolian Islands (A20 Messina-Buonfornello)
    - Roccalumera exit (A18 Messina-Catania / Siracusa-Rosolini)
    - Taormina exit (A18 Messina-Catania / Siracusa-Rosolini)

ON THE TRAIN

  • Barcelona station - Castroreale
  • Milazzo station

BY PLANE

  • Reggio Calabria airport
  • Catania airport

  • June - Corpus Domini flower festival. The previous night are arranged all along Corso Umberto I the floral paintings, depicting images linked to’religious event and places and monuments of the village.
  • early August - Castroreale Jazz. Review of jazz music in the evocative setting of Piazza Peculio, behind the arc of the Synagogue and in front of the sixteenth-century bell tower of the Church of SS. The savior. 
  • Second half of August - Castriciano Biscuit Festival. Distribution of biscuits dunked in granita lemon. This is the most ancient feast of the village.
  • Sagra della Ricotta in the locality of Bafia, with tasting of dishes and cakes made with ricotta.
  • Wild Boar Festival, with tasting of dishes based on wild boar and pork sausages.
  • December-january - Living Manger and Pasturato (re-enactment of the visit of the pastors to the cave with the recitation of ancient strofette in dialect).

Sleep, eat, buy...

Riviera Azzurra Hotel-Ristorante
In Olivieri, in the province of Messina, the Hotel Restaurant Riviera Azzurra is the perfect loca...
Via Del Mare, 1, Oliveri (Messina)
13.22 Kilometers from Castroreale
= distances as the crow flies

Events

sunday
31
december, 2023

San Silvestro

friday
2
february, 2024

Feast of Candelora

friday
29
march, 2024

Procession of Christ

sunday
7
april, 2024

Feast of Jesus and Mary

thursday
15
august, 2024

Feast of Assunta

from
friday
23
august, 2024
to sunday 25 august 2024

Feast of

Our news about Castroreale

According to Jewish tradition, every firstborn was considered offered to the Lord and it was necessary that the parents redeem him by offering a sacrifice, 40 days after birth, at the temple. According to the same tradition, a woman was considered impure of menstrual blood after delivery. If the woman had given birth to a female, this period lasted for 66 days, but if she had given birth to a male, the impurity period lasted 40 days. At the time of Jesus, the day of the Presentation at the Temple and that of the purification ...
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