Do you remember the manna of Moses? Did you know that it is also collected in Italy?
Architecture enthusiasts won't want to miss a visit to this delightful, well-kept village: the Ventimiglia Castle, which dominates the town centre, and the Baroque Chapel (as well as some 20 churches scattered throughout the area) are the main attractions, but that's not all. Castelbuono and Pollina, in the Madonie Park, are the only towns in the Mediterranean where manna, a resin (highly prized and very expensive!) produced from the bark of certain varieties of ash tree, is still harvested. The extraction of good quality manna is not easy, depending on many factors: climatic conditions, the age of the tree, the nature of the soil and, last but not least, the skill of the extractors, whose secrets have been handed down from father to son since the 10th century AD
Photo by: ilfrassino.it
Another interesting fact about Castelbuono is that it is the first village where door-to-door waste collection is carried out with the help of donkeys: you will see them peacefully moving with their load through the village streets!
Photos courtesy of the Castelbuono Municipality operators
Where to stay nearby:
Luxury Winery & Resort Castelbuono
From €77,5/person breakfast incl.
A unique relais de charme, elegant and beautifully set in the nature park of le Madonie right behind Cefalù. Wonderful pool with a seaview.
Country stay Cefalù
From €65/person breakfast incl.
An old stone property 5 km from Cefalù away. Surrounded by a lush vegetation and with an stunning view on the seaside, enjoy charming rooms in typical Sicilian style and a very good local cuisine.
Sea view villa Cefalù
Rooms/apartments: from €74/night
A 19th century manor house featuring a handsome crenellated tower, a private open air courtyard and a gorgeous seaview - the seaside is only 600 metres away - 6 km away from Cefalù.
Apartments Cefalù-Madonie
From €84/night
Beautifully refurbished ancient Masseria with pool, set in the charming Sicilian countryside and featuring spacious self- catering apartments. An idyllic and tranquil setting with great sea and mountain views, just a few kilometers from Cefalù.
Agriturismo Cefalù-Madonie
From €49/person breakfast incl.
Set in the magnificent Le Madonie National Park yet a short distance from Cefalù and the sea, a charming country house with outdoor pool.