What to see, things to do, what to eat, interesting facts
State: PA - Area: Cefalù and Madonie
Castelbuono is a picturesque village located in a valley at the foot of the Madonie. It is a place where art and natural beauty meet.
The village of Castelbuono has a long history: the valley in which the village stands was already inhabited in the Neolithic era and is rich in Greek, Roman, Arab and Byzantine memories. The presence in this valley of the hamlet of Ypsigro dates back to the Byzantine era, a toponym interpreted as cool area at medium altitude. The village of Castelbuono owes its origins to the Ventimiglia family, lords of the County of Geraci, who at the beginning of the fourteenth century built a castle on the hill overlooking the ancient hamlet of Ypsigro. In a short time Castelbuono became the liveliest center in the vast heritage of the Ventimiglia. The religious, cultural and artistic development was notable.
Its privileged position and its long history make the village of Castelbuono an enchanting place to visit.
Where is Castelbuono?
Castelbuono is a municipality in the province of Palermo. It is located at 423 meters above sea level, about 15 km from the Tyrrhenian coast. It is 90 km from the city of Palermo, 20 km from the city of Cefalù, 160 km from the city of Messina, 200 km from the city of Catania and 130 km from the city of Enna. It is located on the slopes of Colle Milocca, in the Madonie valley, among numerous forests of oak, chestnut, cherry and ash. Part of its territory falls within the Parco delle Madonie.
How to reach Castelbuono?
The easiest way to reach Castelbuono is to use your own car and take the A20 Palermo-Messina motorway, exit at the Pollina-Castelbuono junction, and continue on the SS286 towards Castelbuono. Castelbuono is about 15 km from the motorway junction. It is also possible to reach Castelbuono by train: you need to get off at Cefalù Station and from there take a bus or shuttle to Castelbuono.
What is the best time to visit Castelbuono?
Castelbuono 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 Castelbuono 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.
The village of Castelbuono, medieval home of the powerful Ventimiglia family, preserves important treasures of the past and offers unique and evocative views.
The symbol of Castelbuono's history is the Ventimiglia Castle with the Chapel of Sant'Anna, richly decorated with stuccoes by Giuseppe and Giacomo Serpotta on a pure gold background. The castle is now home to the Civic Museum with its Archaeological, Urban Planning, Sacred Art and Modern and Contemporary Art sections.
Among the religious buildings, the Church of Maria SS. is of great value. Assunta, better known as Matrice vecchia, which houses, among the valuable works of art, a grandiose sixteenth-century Polyptych and a crypt with precious frescoes.
Among the other places of worship we remember: the Matrice Nuova, custodian of works of considerable value; the monumental complex consisting of the Church and Convent of San Francesco and the octagonal Chapel of Sant'Antonio da Padova, known as the Mausoleum of the Ventimiglias; the Church of Santa Venera, among the oldest in the village; the Church of the Annunziata which stands on the large plain of the Castle; the former Church of the Monte, the former Church of San Giuseppe, the Church of the SS. Trinità; the former Church of the SS. Crocifisso and the Church of Itria located along the main street; the Church of San Nicola; the Church of San Vincenzo and the Oratory of the Rosary; the Church of Madonna del Palmento; the Church of Sant'Agostino; the Church of Sant'Antonino; the Church of Calvario; the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the annexed Convent of the Capuchins.
Among the civil buildings, the seventeenth-century Banca di Corte stands out.
Places of interest include: the Civic Museum with its Archaeological, Urban Planning, Sacred Art and Modern and Contemporary Art sections housed in the Ventimiglia Castle; the Francesco Minà Palumbo Naturalistic Museum housed in the Convent of San Francesco.
Of great importance are the fountains that dot the village: the valuable Fountain of Venere Ciprea; the sixteenth-century fountain in Piazza Margherita; the sixteenth-century fountain in Piazza Minà Palumbo; the Fountain of San Paolo, located at the ancient entrance to the village at San Paolo Gate; the Fountain of San Vito; the Fountain of San Francesco; the Fountains of Porta Sant'Anna; the Fountain of San Leonardo.
The Park ofRimembranze finally offers a green area close to the Ventimiglia Castle.
Fountain of Saint Paul in Castelbuono
St. Paul's Gate in Castelbuono
Remembrance Park in Castelbuono
Church of the Annunciation in Castelbuono
Ventimiglia Castle in Castelbuono
Civic Museum of Castelbuono
Court Bank in Castelbuono
Old Mother Church in Castelbuono
Crypt of the Mother Church in Castelbuono
Church of the Holy Trinity in Castelbuono
Church of the Holy Crucifix in Castelbuono
Fountain of Venus Cyprea in Castelbuono
Church of Itria in Castelbuono
Church of Saint Nicholas in Castelbuono
New Mother Church in Castelbuono
Church of Santa Venera in Castelbuono
Naturalistic Museum in Castelbuono
Church of the Palmento in Castelbuono
Church of San Francesco in Castelbuono
Church of Calvary in Castelbuono
Church of St. Mary of the Angels in Castelbuono
Traditional Festivals, Events, Live Show, Concerts,... Castelbuono
Castelbuono Flower Festival
Jun 2025
Feast of San Giovanni in Castelbuono
Jun 2025
Divino Festival in Castelbuono
Jun 2025
Castelbuono is a fairy tale
Jul 2025
Feast of Sant'Anna di Castelbuono
Jul 2025
Yipsigrock Festival
Aug 2025
Madonie Folk Bike
Aug 2025
Sicily Beer Fest a Castelbuono
Sep 2025
Feast of the SS. Crucifix in Castelbuono
Sep 2025
Mushroom Festival in Castelbuono
Oct 2025
Typical food, local wines and drinks, traditional dish to taste in Castelbuono
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.
Castelbuono is home to "the white gold of Sicily": Manna, which due to its rarity, is an exceptional resource of the village.To view a list of business activity within tourism in Castelbuono Click here
Best Offers of Vacation Rental, hotel, B&B where to sleep in Castelbuono
Via San Paolo 24
Castelbuono PA
