A small mountain center rich in art, culture, nature, traditions and water.
The history of the village
The only Sicilian municipality awarded the Orange Flag, a mark of quality tourism environment of the Italian Touring Club.
Petralia Sottana is located in the heart of Sicily, at 1000m asl in a large protected area within the Madonie Park. Here there are geological sites significant for scientific quality, rarity, biodiversity and educational value. For this reason it is one of the few Sicilian sites to be part of the Unesco European Geopark Network.
As for its origins, the first settlements date back to 3000 BC, to the Paleolithic and Neolithic period of which, in 1937, were found several testimonies in the cave of "Vecchiuzzo". Later, the Greek and Roman civilizations left behind several traces of their passage, but it is the Arab domination to have affected the history of this village full of charm.
History that can be rediscovered also through the path of the Urban Geological Path, a unique itinerary in Europe, marked with brass studs, leading to discover fossils of the Miocene, corals on the portals of houses and churches, karst caves, springs in the city center, up to an ancient snow machine.
Good news also for good forks. The "Feast of Flavors Madoniti Autumn" is proposed as one of the most interesting, and tasty, gastronomic events throughout Sicily. Beyond the many shows and cultural appointments, it is an occasion not to be missed to know better the products of the territory. Among the most typical ones, it is impossible to miss the badda bean, the basil ricotta and the manna of Madonie.
Finally, Petralia Sottana has always demonstrated a fervent activism for the facts of modern and contemporary history, always participating in first person in the various movements for social redemption and political struggles for civil rights.
Church of Santa Maria Assunta
The church was rebuilt in 1633, but still retains elements of the previous construction from the 15th century.
- Among the works of art are present:
- Marble polyptych by Giorgio da Milano
- Late Gothic wooden polyptych
- Sculptural group of the nativity
- Arabic candlestick 11th century
- Processional cross 15th century
- San Calogero by friar Umile
- Canvases of Salerno
Church of Santa Maria Alla Fontana
Built on the site of a mosque, in addition to its artistic and monumental value, it is famous for the numerous legends associated with it.
Church of the Holy Trinity or Badia
The church, built in the sixteenth century by the will of Maria Cardona and Susanna Gonzaga, preserves one of the most impressive lithic works in the area: a bas-relief polyptych in polychrome stone of about eight meters of the sixteenth century, the work of Giandomenico Gagini, which tells the story of Christ in 23 tiles.
Antonio Collisani civic museum
Antonio Collisani Civic Museum consists of two sections: the geological section of the UNESCO Madonie Geopark and the archaeological section. The first includes rocks and fossils over two hundred million years old which tells a cross-section of the geological history of the Madonite territory collected by the geologist Giuseppe Torre. The second houses a collection of the highest quality and value that belonged to Antonio Collisani.
Pucci Palace
Pucci Palace is the seat of the Madonie Park Authority, which was rebuilt by Don Gandolfo Pucci around 1940 on a pre-existing 17th century building.
UNESCO Urban Geological Trail Geopark
The UNESCO Urban Geological Trail Geopark is the first urban geological trail in Europe. It is located along a path marked with brass studs and where Miocene fossils and other geological curiosities can be found.
Madonie Park- SITO UNESCO
The Madonie Park is a regional natural park established on November 9, 1989.
The park is home to over half of the Sicilian plant species, half of the Sicilian bird species, all mammalian species. There are several walks to explore and meet these specimens directly.
Natural trails
- Geological trail N°1;
- The stones and the water;
- Geo-archaeological San Miceli;
- Path N°19;
- Marked haystack;
- Of Juniper;
- Panoramic;
- Path Italy.
Piano Battaglia
The site hosts facilities for the practice of winter sports (ski lifts), and is a popular tourist resort, with various accommodation facilities and a characteristic church dedicated to the Madonna delle Nevi.
Madonie Adventure Park
The Madonie Adventure Park is an innovative, eco-sustainable amusement park to immerse yourself in nature. The park offers its guests various leisure opportunities: from eco-sports to environmental education. Acrobatic courses for adults and children, tree climbing, archery, orienteering, camping, catering, glamping, tree house rental, mountain biking.
Also present is the Powerfan, a controlled fall descender that simulates a parachute jump from a height of 10 meters. The one present at the Madonie Adventure Park was the first to be installed in Italy.
Municipal pine
The municipal pine forest is the large green lung that dominates the town, where there are:
- An open-air theater with about 2000 seats, built on a natural niche;
- Children's games and exercise equipment;
- A refreshment point.
Former Convent of the Reformed Fathers
The Former Convent of the Reformed Fathers of the seventeenth century, owned by the municipality, is now used for cultural and educational activities, conferences, workshops, equipped with guest quarters, conference rooms, a large colonnaded courtyard.
The former municipal slaughterhouse
The former municipal slaughterhouse has recently been converted into a multifunctional artistic and cultural center, equipped with a kitchen heated by means of geothermal energy.
Paths
Petralia Sottana is also a stage of the following routes:
- Via dei Frati;
- Via Francigena Palermo-Messina for the mountains;
- Apennine Bike Tour;
- Path Italy.
CATARRATTI'S HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLAN 19081908
Industrial archeology site for didactic-tourist purposes. Located in a suggestive naturalistic context, it was inaugurated in 1908 and continued to produce energy until 1976 with the nationalization of electricity. Today the teaching center for renewable energy.
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Fast connection
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Shuttle
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Convenience store
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Workstation accessible to disabled people
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Workstations
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Cleaning service
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Catering service
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Affiliated with renewable energy / Equipped with renewable energy sources
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Bike rent
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Km0 products
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Recycling
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Electric vehicle charging
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Broadband connection
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Social collaboration
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Digital platforms
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Participatory planning
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Valuable landscape features
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Caratteristiche storiche di valore
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Urban redevelopment projects
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Nursery school
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Babysitter
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Library
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Summer Center
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Beautician
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Pharmacy
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Emergency medical Service
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Hub
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Laundry
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Market
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Gym
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Hairdresser