Cesarò

Cesarò is located in the most suggestive of the backbone of the Nebrodi, comprising the highest summit of the chain, Monte Soro, and lakes Biviere and Maullazzo. The origin of the name of Cesarò is uncertain, but most philologists explains its etymology with the Arabic word "kaer", "fortified place", which would then be evolved in Kasr, Kasròn, and then in Cesarò.

The first certain news of its existence date back only at the beginning of the XVII century. Even if the small urban nucleus undoubtedly existed from the first of the XIII century, having been originally a likely arab fortification, date back to this period the first names of the barons and Dukes who ressero the homonymous town feudal, comprising the surrounding territories, names all linked to the dynasty of the Roman Column, introduced in Sicily during the reign of Frederick II of Swabia. Among the members of this House, Archbishop Giovanni, archbishop of Messina (1255), Christopher, doctor of King Frederick II of Aragon and Stratigoto of Messina (1320 - 1328), Thomas his son (1420) and many others, for a total of 14 successions feudal manor, until the XVIII century. In 1768 is known for the establishment of a Monte Frumentario To Cesarò, which support for poor farmers of the village.

Cesarò counts among its buildings the Palazzo Zito, one time residence of the homonymous family and today house museum. Still contains frescoes, furnishings and original floors. It is the only building of considerable size located in the country.

The farming activities in the countries of the island is at the base of the gastronomic tradition. Also in Cesarò, as in many small centers montani, the cuisine makes use of only a few ingredients are easily available, cooked in a simple way but often enriched by aromas and spices flavor. The paste prepared at home ("the maccheroni") on feast days, is seasoned with tomato sauce and pork or lamb and dusted with salted ricotta cheese rind. The ricotta is just one of the many typical dairying cesaresi and together with provole, tuma, Canestrato pecorino and represents the maximum expression of the traditional activity of milk processing. Beef and veal, sheepmeat and pigmeat are roasted simply grilled and flavored with garlic, oregano, lemon. Famous vegetables such as wild asparagus that preserve the taste of the woods and meadows. Even the bread still today prepared at home with natural yeast and baked in a wood oven from skilled hands, has the flavor of tradition. More imaginative and processed are the cakes which ingredients are almonds, hazelnuts and pistachios. Among the typical sweets, we recall those of the Easter period.

BY CAR

• Along the highway the closest exits to the center of Cesarò are:
  - S.Agata di Militello exit (A20 Messina-Buonfornello)
  - Rocca di Capri Leone exit (A20 Messina-Buonfornello)

ON THE TRAIN

• S.Agata Militello station
• Capo D'orlando station

BY PLANE

• Catania airport
• Reggio Calabria airport