Holiday in Italy's most beautiful village: A trip to Militello in Val di Catania
It's no secret that Italy boasts numerous picturesque villages. However, there are some that even stand out among Italy's most beautiful villages ("I borghi più belli d'Italia"). Militello in Val di Catania, Sicily, was honored this year.
Every year, the Italian travel and culture series "Il Borgo dei Borghi" (roughly translated as "The Village of Villages") on the state-run television channel Rai3 selects the most beautiful villages from a list of Italy's most beautiful villages. Viewers vote for the most beautiful.
An insider tip for your next trip to Sicily: Militello in Val di Catania.
Source: imago images/Dreamstime
Last year, Peccioli won the title in the province of Pisa. This year, Militello in Val di Catania can celebrate victory. What makes the place so beautiful and why a trip there is truly worthwhile.
Militello in Val di Catania lies at the foot of Mount Etna, a popular tourist region in Sicily. Catania is about 35 kilometers away. The town has changed its appearance since its founding, partly due to a devastating earthquake in 1693.
Afterwards, Militello in Val di Catania was rebuilt in the late Baroque style – including magnificent churches and aristocratic palaces.
The city center of Militello in Val di Catania is characterized by the Baroque architectural style.
Source: imago images/Dreamstime
If you love Baroque, this is the place for you: UNESCO has recognized Militello in Val di Catania as one of the "Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto." Particularly beautiful are the Mother Church of San Nicolò, the pilgrimage church of Santa Maria della Stelle, and the Barresi-Branciforte Castle. You should also pay a visit to the Abbey of San Benedetto, one of the most important Benedictine monasteries in Sicily.
The area around Militello in Val di Catania also has several highlights to offer. These include the Oxena Waterfalls, also called Cascate dell'Oxena. You'll find them on the border with the province of Syracuse. The waterfalls are a real dream destination, especially on hot days. The gorge and the rushing, cool water make it bearable even on hot summer days. You can cool off in the pools filled with the crystal-clear waters of the Torrente Oxena.
In the area around Militello in Val di Catania, there are various hiking trails that lead through the Hyblaean Mountains, past olive groves and prickly pear plantations. All that nature will work up an appetite, and this Italian town has a few culinary specialties you shouldn't miss.
The Oxena Waterfalls near Militello in Val di Catania.
Source: imago images/UIG
These include cassatelline: These are square pastries served with almonds, jam, and liqueur—a dish more for those with a sweet tooth. The harvest from the prickly pear plantations is also processed locally, and there's a purée called mostarda di fichidindia, as well as pipirata, a more savory rice dish with prickly pears and pine nuts.
In summer and autumn, Militello in Val di Catania celebrates in style: On August 18, a holy week of festivities begins in honor of the Most Holy Redeemer, the Santissimo Salvatore. There are processions, plenty of bell ringing, and cannon fire.
In October, the festival is dedicated to the prickly pear, also lasting a week, with the festivities taking place primarily over the two weekends. From October 6th to 14th, you can sample warm prickly pear mostarda and other local products made from the fruit. There will also be folk music, theater, and concerts.
You can fly to Sicily from Germany, preferably to Catania-Fontanarossa Airport. Eurowings, Ryanair, and Lufthansa offer direct flights from Berlin, Cologne/Bonn, and other German airports.
There's a direct train connection from Catania to Militello in Val di Catania, which takes a good one and a half hours. There are two connections a day. There's also a bus, which takes just over an hour.
To become part of the "most beautiful villages" of the association "I borghi più belli d'Italia", a village must meet several criteria: integrity of the urban fabric, architectural harmony, habitability of the place, artistic and historical quality of public and private buildings, civic services and the payment of an annual membership fee.
Tropea has also been named the most beautiful village in Italy.
Source: Getty Images/iStockphoto
The verified villages are usually small, often medieval centers of the country, sometimes also individual districts, hamlets, and castles of "outstanding historical and artistic interest." They are often located off the beaten track, making them real insider tips for travelers.
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