Monaco di Mezzo
Petralia Sottana (Palermo)
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From the farmhouse is possible reach important city as Gangi, archaeological excavations not only show that this area is the site of the ancient Sicula town of Engyon but there were also Roman and medieval settlements in the area of Gangivecchio (Old Gangi). The old city was destroyed by Federico II in 1299 and the new area began to be developed around the castle built by the local Lord, Francesco Ventimiglia in the fourteenth century. In the days before ?Ferragosto? (the Italian public summer holiday on 15th August, which is in fact the religious festival of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, something that most Italians seem to have forgotten) there is the Festival of the ?Spiga? (ear of corn) with its evocative costume procession, twisting and turning, and ancient vehicles without wheels.
Polizzi, the town has developed around the castle built on the instructions of Ruggero I (The Norman King Roger I) in 1076, probably on the site of the medieval town. The famous winter tourist centre of Piano Battaglia can be easily reached from here, one of the main centres of the Madonie park.
Petralia Sottana, is around the Norman castle walls. XIV century papers already described it as Petralia Inferior to distinguish it from Petralia Superior (Soprana). On the first Sunday after ?Ferragosto? Petralia Sottana plays host to the ballet pantomime of the Cordella with its traditional costume wedding procession.
Petralia Soprana is the highest town in the Province of Palermo, situated 1147 metres above sea level. Possibly of Greek or Sikan origin, the town is certainly recorded as Petra from the third century A.D. It was an impregnable fortress in the Arab period when it was occupied by Christians and Muslims side by side. Under the Normans it retained its strategic ro1e and adopted its modern name of Petralia. Petralia is a tourist attraction and holiday location. Its position high on a rocky outcrop in the heart of the Madonie allows it to dominate the countryside around and this location and the town's cultural wealth make the pleasure of a visit almost a duty to oneself.
Polizzi, the town has developed around the castle built on the instructions of Ruggero I (The Norman King Roger I) in 1076, probably on the site of the medieval town. The famous winter tourist centre of Piano Battaglia can be easily reached from here, one of the main centres of the Madonie park.
Petralia Sottana, is around the Norman castle walls. XIV century papers already described it as Petralia Inferior to distinguish it from Petralia Superior (Soprana). On the first Sunday after ?Ferragosto? Petralia Sottana plays host to the ballet pantomime of the Cordella with its traditional costume wedding procession.
Petralia Soprana is the highest town in the Province of Palermo, situated 1147 metres above sea level. Possibly of Greek or Sikan origin, the town is certainly recorded as Petra from the third century A.D. It was an impregnable fortress in the Arab period when it was occupied by Christians and Muslims side by side. Under the Normans it retained its strategic ro1e and adopted its modern name of Petralia. Petralia is a tourist attraction and holiday location. Its position high on a rocky outcrop in the heart of the Madonie allows it to dominate the countryside around and this location and the town's cultural wealth make the pleasure of a visit almost a duty to oneself.
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Sport and activities in the surrounding area:
- Hiking