Castelmola stands on a rock sheer above the Ionian, over Taormina, whose acropolis it once was: the name comes from the shape of the rock, which recalls a millstone. From the square you look out on the Ionian coast, on Taormina and, across the sea, on Calabria.
On the duomo there is a Greek inscription of the tenth century: «this castle was built under Constantine, patrician and strategos of Sicily». Of the castle the ruins of the Norman walls remain. On 1 August 902 the Saracens broke through the defences and passed this way: that gap is still called the Porta dei Saraceni. From 1928 to 1947 Castelmola was absorbed into Taormina; today it is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. There are 1,073 residents.
Arancino · Pasta alla Norma · Pitone messinese
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Next up: Saint George, patron of a town perched above Taormina, Friday 23 April
Nearest airport: Reggio Calabria, 40 km away
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📅 Every year, on 23 April
Castelmola celebrates Saint George on 23 April; the exact reason for choosing this saint as patron is unknown, but his church, built around 1450 near Punta San Giorgio, stands out for the town's only bell tower, topped by four pyramidal pinnacles.
Saffron rice, ragù with peas and caciocavallo inside a golden cone-shaped crust: in Catania it is masculine and pointed, and the quarrel with Palermo over the name is serious.
Read more →A thin sheet of dough folded into a half-moon and fried, with escarole, tuma cheese, anchovies and black pepper inside: Messina’s street food, to eat hot straight from the rosticceria.
Read more →Straight-line distances from the town centre. Tap a point to open its page.
The closest destinations covered by our editors, with straight-line distance.
Outside Castelmola, but an easy day trip away.
