Palma di Montechiaro: Gattopardo, Benedictines and mysteries.

Things to do, attractions, interesting facts

State: AG - Area: Agrigento surroundings

It is known as the Jerusalem of Sicily: founded in 1637 by the brothers Carlo and Giulio De Caro and Tomasi, on the day consecrated to the invention of the Cross, on May 3, it was born as the city of a new Holy Land. It was therefore called Palma, from the plant symbol of glory.
Palma di Montechiaro is the city of the Leopard, the famous novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, descendant of the founders of the city: this village is the imaginary feud of Donna Fugata.

What is the best time to visit Palma di Montechiaro?

Palma di Montechiaro can be visited all year round: the welcome and warmth of the Sicilians will amaze you. But for an unforgettable experience, admiring the colors, tasting the flavors and fully experiencing the traditions, it is advisable to plan a visit on the days of one of the festivals that take place in Palma di Montechiaro during the year.

If you want to know about upcoming festivals and events Click here and you will find a list of the most important ones.

What to see

What to see in Palma di Montechiaro? The stone staircase of the mother church, the ancient houses, a beautiful square, the view of the sea and the seventeenth-century Palazzo Ducale, with its beautiful decorated wooden ceilings, where the story of the book The Leopard was set.

Benedictine Monastery in Palma di Montechiaro

Zubbia Cave in Palma di Montechiaro

Punta Bianca Nature Reserve

Chiaramontano Castle in Palma di Montechiaro

Mother Church of Palma di Montechiaro

Ducal Palce di Palma di Montechiaro

Marina di Palma Beach

Cala Vincenzina in Palma di Montechiaro

Ciotta Beach in Palma di Montechiaro

Things to do

Palma di Montechiaro stands on a rocky hill that stretches out to the sea.It offers breathtaking coastal views, a pleasant climate, and a rich historic center.

Traditional Festivals, Events, Live Show, Concerts,... Palma di Montechiaro

Among the religious festivals, the most important are the feast of the Madonna del Castello and the feast of the patron saint Maria SS.ma del Rosario.
The Palmese Carnival, with the parade of allegorical floats and masks through the streets of country
During the Christmas period, an evocative live nativity scene is often created

Living Nativity Scene in Palma di Montechiaro
Dec 2024

Easter in Palma di Montechiaro
Apr 2025

Feast of the Madonna in Palma di Montechiaro
Apr 2025

Feast of Most Holy Mary of Rosary in Palma di Montechiaro
Sep 2025

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‹ Events in Agrigento Area

‹ Events in Sicily

What to eat

Typical food, local wines and drinks, traditional dish to taste in Palma di Montechiaro

You can obviously taste all the typical products of Sicilian cuisine, the most well-known ones, such as cannoli, Sicilian cassata, arancini, etc. But there are some specialties typical of this area that are more difficult to find in other areas of Sicily.

In addition to the typical dishes of the local cuisine, the almond biscuits prepared by the Benedictine nuns according to an ancient recipe are absolutely not to be missed.

Interesting Facts

Interesting and fun facts, mythology, legend, folk tales and more to know about Palma di Montechiaro

The Devil's Letter
The Devil's Letter, transcribed by a nun from the monastery of Palma di Montechiaro, is an unsolved mystery in the history of Sicily.

‹ Sicily Interesting Facts