The village of Castelbuono is located on the slopes of Colle Milocca, in the Valley of the Madonie, and is surrounded by numerous forests of oak, chestnut, cherry, and ash. The old town still retains buildings from an ancient past that seems to have stood still among the narrow alleys and the secluded squares of this beautiful village.
Castelbuono is also ideally placed to enjoy hiking in the mountains but also a trip to the sea, as it is just over 20km from the coast.
Finally, if you’re around here in August, don’t miss Ypsigrock, one of Europe’s most important indie music festivals.
Here are the must-see attractions:
Don’t miss
Castelbuono Castle
Built for defensive purposes by the Ventimiglia family, the current building is the result of numerous renovations, which make it difficult to reconstruct its original appearance. What is certain is that there’s a mix of different styles, from Arab to Norman.
The Park of the Madonie
Listed in the global network of geoparks by UNESCO, the Madonie Park is a proper natural universe to be discovered. Interestingly, from a geological point of view, it preserves some species of animals that exist only in this beautiful reserve.
The Matrice Vecchia Church
Built in the 14th century on the ruins of a pagan temple, it is one of the symbols of Castelbuono. Inside, it houses frescoes from Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque eras: a veritable riot of art that tells of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.
The Clock Tower
An old mechanical clock placed on top of Palazzo della città. It was designed in 1885 and realised by the Isidoro Sommaruga company in Milan. If you’re in the centre of Castelbuono and want to know what time it is, just look up.
