Geraci Siculo

Geraci Siculo is an enchanting village located in the heart of Sicily, in the beautiful province of Palermo. Famous for its fascinating natural beauty and rich historical and cultural heritage, Geraci Siculo is a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered.

16_11_23-09_58_37-uf9526db2fe8147d65beab53a8f75e54
Il salto del Ventimiglia, Geraci Siculo
Comune di Geraci Siculo
16_11_23-10_11_00-m718b901bf4d155c844b984598ef0b19
Chiesa di Sant'Anna e ruderi del castello dei Ventimiglia, Geraci Siculo
Comune di Geraci Siculo
16_11_23-10_03_29-N1fcce369a44f6afd3b96e3fd66deaba
Decorazione dolce Agnello pasquale, Geraci Siculo
Comune di Geraci Siculo
16_11_23-09_54_24-Oe8b70b6b301223743cc5704875ae006
Geraci Siculo sopra le nuvole
Comune di Geraci Siculo
16_11_23-09_57_28-s1e5ca723c7e0f6fb2879d759351fc8d
La mungitura a Geraci Siculo
Comune di Geraci Siculo
16_11_23-09_59_25-L413cd3356692cb6b6756d3b905e39c7
Geraci Siculo di sera
Comune di Geraci Siculo
16_11_23-10_01_31-rbb696ef2d5b2d1282347a7089922d27
Primavera a Geraci Siculo
Comune di Geraci Siculo
16_11_23-09_55_13-v8035febfdc690e9ef3f256aa3e6c40c
Scorci di Geraci Siculo
Comune di Geraci Siculo
16_11_23-09_53_30-Ja723837624a38261923525b614c4d88
Geraci Siculo
Comune di Geraci Siculo
16_11_23-10_08_50-a2fdd176bf03cc42a0b897a8046e7995
Panorama dal campanile della chiesa madre, Geraci Siculo
Comune di Geraci Siculo
16_11_23-10_00_33-zee130d1c482e705f4b33fda032d2eec
Geraci Siculo
Comune di Geraci Siculo
16_11_23-09_56_45-F9e2ee4c56a1c675bc8e557dfa418d45
U Ruggiu da chiazza, fontana in Piazza del popolo a Geraci Siculo
Comune di Geraci Siculo
Around Geraci Siculo
Chiesa di Santo Stefano, Geraci Siculo
Graeme Churchard/flickr

Geraci Siculo is a charming village located in the heart of Sicily, in the wonderful province of Palermo. Famous for its fascinating natural beauty and rich cultural and historical heritage, Geraci Siculo is a hidden treasure just waiting to be discovered.

Nestled among the Madonie mountains, Geraci Siculo boasts an unrivaled location, offering panoramic views of unimaginable beauty. This town perched some 1,000 meters above sea level offers breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and the majestic Madonie Park.

With its rich history, Geraci Siculo expertly wields tradition and culture, offering an unparalleled experience to all who wish to explore Sicilian authenticity. Of ancient origins, this Sicilian gem has played a significant role in the various historical eras, from the Byzantines, to the Arabs, to the Normans up to the Ventimiglia family, who elected it as the capital of their fiefdom.

The charm of Geraci Siculo, however, is not limited to its history. In fact, this village is renowned for its castle, its religious architecture, its traditional events and its culinary products.

History of Geraci Siculo: A canopy of ancient secrets

Geraci Siculo is an ancient Sicilian village whose roots go back to the 6th century B.C. during the era of Greek colonization of Sicily. This charming town, then called "Jerax" (vulture in Greek), owes its name to the assiduous presence of such magnificent predatory birds in its vicinity.

In the 9th century A.D., during the Muslim expansion, Geraci Siculo, thanks to its strategic location, became one of the most important centers of inland Sicily. The arrival of the Normans in the 11th century and the conquest of Roger I infused a new cultural and political dynamism into the village.

The real revolution in the history of Geraci Siculo occurred with the advent of the dynasty of the Counts of Ventimiglia in 1252. The "County of Geraci" gained prestige and popularity under their leadership, eventually becoming a Marquisate in 1438. Despite being divided in 1391 between Henry and Antonio, sons of Francis II of Ventimiglia, and despite the gradual loss of political and economic importance to Castelbuono, Geraci Siculo retained a key role in the management of the territory.

However, at the end of the 16th century, the decline of the Ventimiglias, overwhelmed by debts and in economic difficulty, inevitably marked the decline of Geraci. From the 18th century to the present day, Geraci Siculo has followed the fortunes of Sicily, participating in all the most significant historical events, from the world wars to Italy's independence.

Discover the points of interest of Geraci Siculo

Walking through its medieval alleys and small squares allows visitors to discover it in all its splendor.

One of the unmissable points of interest in Geraci Siculo is the majestic "bevaio" of the Holy Trinity, a work commissioned by Marquis Simone Ventimiglia, which welcomes visitors just outside the town.

Reaching the heart of the village, you will find the remains of the castle, a building of probable Byzantine origin later transformed into a military fortress. Among the ruins of the castle is the ancient church of Sant'Anna, the former chapel of the Ventimiglia family, and the church of San Giacomo, where several valuable works are preserved, including a 14th-century Byzantine fresco.

Walking through the typical medieval alleys, we reach Piazza del Popolo, where the Church of the College of Mary and the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore are located, custodians of numerous valuable works of art, including marble sculptures and Sicilian wooden works from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Continuing the tour of Geraci Siculo, one encounters the 17th-century church of Santo Stefano, with its characteristic bell tower, and the church of San Bartolomeo, where a polychrome inlaid wood depicting the saint, dated to the 18th century, stands out. The visit concludes with the small church of Santa Maria La Porta, which houses a splendid polychrome marble polyptych of the high altar, a masterpiece of the Gagini workshop.

Village of Geraci Siculo
Municipality of Geraci Siculo

Metropolitan City of Palermo
Sicily Region

Inhabitants: 1,702 geracesi
Center altitude: 1 077 m a.s.l.

the municipality is part of:
Italy's Most Beautiful Villages
Flowering municipality

Protected natural areas:
Madonie Park

The Municipality
Piazza Municipio, 14 - Tel. 0921643080

Most beautiful villages in Italy
Suitable for disabled people
Village in the mountain
Village with castle
Village with park
Chiesa di San Giacomo
Via S. Giacomo - Geraci Siculo - Palermo
College-of-Mary
Piazza del Popolo - Geraci Siculo - Palermo
Chiesa-di-Santa-Maria-della-Catena
Via Normanni - Geraci Siculo - Palermo
Church-of-St.-Mary-of-the-Cross
Piazza S. Antonino - Geraci Siculo - Palermo
St.-Stephens-Church
Via S. Stefano - Geraci Siculo - Palermo
Holy-Trinity-Brewery
Viale Parco delle Madonie - Geraci Siculo - Palermo
Torre di Engelmaro
Largo Angelmaro - Geraci Siculo - Palermo
Chiesa-di-Santa-Maria-della-Cava
Località  Bosco Cava - Geraci Siculo - Palermo
St.-Annes-Church-1
Via Castello, 5 - Geraci Siculo - Palermo
Ventimiglia-jump
Via Francesco Ventimiglia, 27 - Geraci Siculo - Palermo
Chiesa-Santa-Maria-La-Porta
Via Santa Maria La Porta - Geraci Siculo - Palermo
Church-of-St.-Julian
Piazza S. Giuliano, 8 - Geraci Siculo - Palermo
Chiesa-di-San-Bartolo
Piazza S. Bartolo, 7 - Geraci Siculo - Palermo
Piazza del Popolo, 1, Geraci Siculo - Palermo
Ventimiglia-Castle
Via Castello, 5 - Geraci Siculo - Palermo
02_04_19-03_58_50-p0af959197b667b316e17fbf5d3c0d38
Piazza del Popolo, 1 - Geraci Siculo - Palermo

BY CAR

  • From Cefalù: S.S. 286, direction Castelbuono. From Messina: S.S. 113 , bivio San Mauro, Borrello basso, Borrello Alto, bivio Calabrò, bivio Comunello, Gangi, bivio Geraci Siculo.
  • A19 Palermo - Catania, exit Irosa and then SP 138 towards Blufi, Bivio Giara and Bivio Madonnuzza.
  • A20 Palermo - Messina, exit Castelbuono and then the SS 286 towards Castelbuono

BY TRAIN

  • Cefalu train station
    Castelbuono train station

BY AIR

  • Catania Airport
  • Palermo Airport
  • Trapani Airport

Geraci Siculo offers a wide range of traditional dishes that reflect the rich culture and ancient Sicilian culinary tradition. This charming village expertly preserves recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation, offering guests an authentic and genuine gastronomic experience. Geraci's culinary specialities are characterised by the use of simple, fresh and local ingredients from the fertile Sicilian soil, with a rich menu that ranges from tasty white farmhouse olives and dried tomatoes in oil, to tasty first courses such as maccarruna or tagghiarini with mutton sauce. But Geraci's real speciality are the delicious traditional Geracese sweets such as Christmas cassatas, Easter lambs and Carnival sphinxes. Let's not forget the Geracesi cheeses, produced thanks to the ancient craft of sheep farming, which include caciocavallo, pecorino and salted ricotta. Thanks to these delicacies, Geraci Siculo is the perfect destination for both lovers of fine Sicilian cuisine and those seeking a unique food and wine experience.

  • Ventimiglia Joust (first weekend of August): The Giostra dei Ventimiglia di Geraci is an event that combines the chivalric games of the Middle Ages with historical re-enactments related to the epic deeds of one of the most important noble families of the Kingdom of Sicily. The first edition took place in 1986, with a strictly local character, as a development of the Arruccata di Vintimigghia, a performance of a text by Giuseppe Mazzola Barreca, a re-enactment of the history of the possession of the Castle of Geraci by the Byzantine Greeks, the Arabs, the Normans, and the Swabians of Frederick II, whose family from Liguria was also in the retinue. The first text for the Joust was instead written by Pietro Attinasi, who imagined a Joust proclaimed by Count Francesco II, one of the four vicars of the Kingdom, to celebrate a possible visit of the Infanta Maria returning from Caltanissetta. The first Jousts were composed of the Games of the Pole-drivers (la Pertica e li Culura, lu Tiru a lu Gaddru, la Cuccagna, la Cursa nta li Sacchi) and of the Knights (Giostra di li Culura, Caccia a lu Cinghiali, Giostra di l'aneddra, Giostra di lu Sarracinu, Cursa di li cavaleri a cavaddru). After the first years, it was no longer the districts of Geraci that competed, but all the villages that were once part of the County of Geraci. And the imagined occasions for the Joust were the marriage of Francesco Ventimiglia to Costanza Chiaramonte, Costanza's repudiation, Costanza becomes a nun, the new marriage to Margherita Consolo, the baptism of Emanuele Ventimiglia and others. The performances always took place on the eve. Now on the day of the competition, the first Sunday in August, we start in the morning with the swearing-in of the knights in Piazza del Popolo. Each one is accompanied by the mayor and the banner of the participating municipality. The procession departs and descends from the castle led by the flag-wavers, whose drums provide an evocative soundtrack that echoes through the alleyways. All the mayors with their respective gonfalons are called up onto the stage, while the knights stand at the foot of it, except for the one from the municipality of Geraci, who goes up to recite the formula of the oath of loyalty in the competition on behalf of all. Having done so, Count Ventimiglia, representing the historic lineage and the county, pronounces the opening formula of the games. The morning concludes with a performance by flag wavers and possible jesters and jugglers. In the first editions, parish priest Don Gaetano Scuderi, the morning opened with the celebration of the sung Mass with the participation of the knights enrolled in the Joust.
  • ‘Si sgavi'ta la montagna’ Transhumance festival (third weekend in May): Transhumance is the movement of animals grazing in the wild from one prairie to another, mostly from the low hills to the high mountains and vice versa, following the rhythm of the seasons. In Geraci, inspired by Pietro Attinasi's poem, Zefiro a viene a maggio (1986), the cultural enterprise Edizioni Arianna conceives and presents to the municipality, which adopts it, the project ‘Si sgavìta la montagna’ (Shepherds' Movements) on 24 May. Feast for the transhumance of the shepherds of Geraci, involving the associations I niputi du nannu and Scuola Siciliana di falconeria a cavallo (Sicilian School of Falconry on horseback), the company Ge.Tur. The festival, ten editions of which have already been held, is celebrated on the weekend closest to 24 May, the date on which, according to municipal regulations, mountain state land is opened to grazing, turning the animals and their shepherds (unaware) into actors, in their thousand-year climb from the sea to the mountains. What the spectators witness is not a fiction, but a real recurrence of the shepherd's work in the context of its immediate actuality. It is in fact the day on which the animals, regardless of the festival, really do go to the muntagna, a pastoral practice that is still alive and well. Transhumance not dissimilar to that of other areas of the Madonie and Nebrodi, where, in contiguity with stabled farming, wild grazing continues to survive. The festival is a showcase of the quality of life in the village, of the cultural creativity of its inhabitants who still insist on living in the territory, renouncing the easy, but also often fallacious, flattery of migration to the North, betting instead on the possibilities of development linked to the renewed and intelligent use of local natural and anthropic resources.
  • Corpus Christi (June): The procession of the Blessed Sacrament starts from the Church of San Giuliano. Many children take part in the procession, first the little ones with angel wings, then those who have already made their First Communion. They all hold a tray full of rose petals that are scattered along the streets during the solemn procession. Everything is interspersed with songs in honour of the Blessed Sacrament.
  • Equestrian Gathering of the Madonie Mountains (first weekend of July): Organized by the S.D. Knights Association Contea di Geraci this festival represents an inseparable pair that of horse and rider. On Saturday at the dressage field from the early afternoon there will be the reception of riders and the stabling of horses. On Sunday at 10 a.m., the parade of all participating riders starts from the dressage field and they parade through the entire historic center. At People's Square, the Blessing of the horses and riders takes place. This is followed by an excursion into the mountains starting from the Bevaio, a compulsory stopping place for watering the horses before taking the path that leads to Piano Catarineci, climbing one of the most beautiful and unspoiled areas of Sicily. Also planned is lunch with typical products of the agro-pastoral tradition in one of the municipal equipped areas (Piano Grande).
  • High Altitude Concert at Piano Catarineci (annually): On the Madonie plateau at an altitude of over 1,600 metres, two caravans of hikers on foot and horseback arrive around midday, starting from the contrada Savochella di Petralia Soprana and the Bevaio di Petralia Soprana begins in the morning with the hike on foot or on horseback, departing from the Bevaio or the Campo della Trinità from Geraci. Man nature and music in close fraternal contact in love with the land, sky and sea that can be seen from here. Piano Catarineci, is a prairie at an altitude of about 1600 metres, where it is possible to admire Sicilian horses grazing freely among the beeches and hollies, with goats, boars, cows and fallow deer. Strolling around, perhaps while waiting for the concert of the musicians, with the background of the sound of wandering cowbells, one can see up close and perhaps tread on the chiarchiari in the valley, the woods with their many shades of green far away the Aeolian Islands and the villages of Geraci, Pollina and San Mauro Castelverde. Gangi and the Petralie, and also the Carbonara massif, Monte Quacella Monte San Salvatore. The festival is organised by the Liber.A.zione association and is sponsored by both the municipalities of Geraci Siculo and Petralia Soprana. On the Geraci side, the participants are guided by the Knights of our County. Internationally renowned Sicilian musicians will play at Alta Quota under the artistic direction of maestro Alessandro Valenza.
  • ‘A carvaccata di vistiamara’ shepherds' feast (held every third Sunday in July every seven years): This is the only remaining feast of the Geracesi categories (ceti) in honour of the Blessed Sacrament, which were held on the third Sundays of the spring-summer months. Beginning with the galantomi in May, followed by the mastri (craftsmen) in June, then the vistiamari (shepherds) in July, the vurdinari (merchants) in August and finally the viddrani (peasants) in September. The third duminica of vistiamari is celebrated in two ways, one annual and the other seven-yearly. The annual one includes only the Sung Mass and an evening torchlight procession. The Carvaccata, on the other hand, takes place every seven years. It is a self-financed feast, as the pastors like to call themselves, who have so far always renounced any public or private funding that does not come from them. The festival is preceded by two vigils. On Friday evening, a torchlight procession through the streets of the village, and on Saturday, a solemn procession in honour of the Blessed Sacrament. Sunday begins in the morning with the solemn Eucharistic celebration and in the early afternoon the horse parade takes place.
    Each participant in Geraci Siculo wears traditional dress: ‘dark velvet jacket and waistcoat, white shirt with black jointed webbing tie, black velvet knee-length trousers and black orbaceous leggings.
No data was found
No data was found
No data was found
No data was found

Our News

No data was found
No data was found
No data was found
No data was found
No data was found
No data was found
No data was found
No data was found
No data was found
No data was found
No data was found
No data was found