Private Tour in Castelbuono with Cheese Farm Experience: History, Sweets & Sicilian Flavors

Highlights

• Castelbuono & Madonie Natural Park
• Ventimiglia Castle
• Culinary Experience

What's included

Itinerary

1. 1

   Villaggio di Sant Ambrogio

   Pass by

   To reach Castelbuono we will travel along the state road 113 along the north coast of Sicily, where you can admire the beautiful panorama.

2. 2

   Castello dei Ventimiglia

   1h

   Walking tour of the ancient castle of the Ventimiglia family. You can admire the Chapel of St. Anne The holy skull of St. Anne, the Holy Mary's mother, arrived in town in 1458 when the Ventimiglias decided to settle in Castelbuono. Originally from Ventimiglia, Liguria they mysteriously received the relic from the Duke of Lorraine, France. Today it's possible to admire the relic secured in a silver reliquary bust in the chapel behind a grate with several locks.

3. 3

   Chiesa Maria SS. Assunta - Matrice Vecchia

   30min

   The church was dedicated to Holy Mary of the Assumption and its construction dates back to the middle of the fourteenth century. The Matrice Vecchia displays a majestic Polyptych on the high altar, attributed to Antonio De Saliba, the nephew of Antonello da Messina. The work depicts the Virgin Mary with the Eternal Father holding up the world above. The painting shows a Patriarch with glasses, which makes it particular and rare in the sacral context. Then, under the feet of the faithful there is a crypt containing in turn a marble ciborium, made by Giorgio da Milano. Then, a niche includes the statue of Santa Maria degli Angeli, placed in the structure around 1520 and made by Antonello Gagini.

4. 4

   Stop 4

   30min

   Famous pastry shop well known in all over the world, because of the Panettoni Christmas cakes. Tasting included during the opening days

5. 5

   Isnello

   Pass by

   The first village we will encounter along the road that crosses the Madonie Park from Castelbuono to the dairy will be the medieval village of shepherds and farmers of Isnello

6. 6

   Collesano

   2h 30min

   The second medieval village that we will encounter along the way is Collesano. We will then head to a dairy, where we will learn how Madonie provola is made according to the southern tradition of stretched-curd cheeses, and we will conclude the visit with a casual lunch prepared by the cheesemakers.

Before you go

Location