What to see, things to do, what to eat, interesting facts
State: PA - Area: Cefalù and Madonie
Pollina is a picturesque Madonite village overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea made up of ancient houses clinging to the rocks, small churches and stone-paved streets. At the outlet to the sea stands the hamlet of Finale di Pollina, once belonging to the Ventimiglia family and which developed around one of the many watchtowers that enrich this stretch of coast of the island. The area around Pollina is rich in woods and Mediterranean scrub.Pollina is a picturesque Madonie village overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, made up of ancient houses clinging to the rocks, small churches and stone-paved streets. At the mouth of the sea stands the hamlet of Finale di Pollina, which once belonged to the Ventimiglia family and which developed around one of the many watchtowers that enrich this stretch of coast of the island. The area around Pollina is rich in woods and scrub Mediterranean. There is little and fragmentary information on its history: according to some historians, Pollina would be the modern heir of Apollonia, an ancient city of Magna Graecia. There is also a legend that connects Pollina's origins to the love story between an Arab vizier and a princess Norman. The first certain information dates back to 1082, the year in which the Polla farmhouse was mentioned among the properties of the Diocese of Troina. In 1207 his castle was mentioned for the first time. The foundation of today's town dates back to the end of Roman domination and the beginning of Muslim domination.
Where is Pollina located? Pollina is a municipality in the province of Palermo. It rises at 730 meters above sea level and overlooks the Tyrrhenian coast. It is 94 km from the city of Palermo, 180 km from the city of Catania, 20 km from the city of Cefalù, 100 km from the city of Enna, 154 km from the city of Messina. Its territory falls within the Parco delle Madonie.
How to reach Pollina? The easiest way to reach Pollina is to use your own car and take the A20 Palermo-Messina motorway. For those coming from Messina we recommend exiting at the junction for Tusa, continuing on the SS113 towards Palermo and, once you reach Finale, take Viale delle Madonie up to Pollina. Pollina is about 18 km from the Tusa motorway junction. For those coming from Palermo we recommend exiting at the junction for Pollina -Castelbuono, continuing on the SS282 until taking the SS130 for Pollina. Pollina is about 15 km from the Pollina - Castelbuono motorway junction. For those coming from Catania or central Sicily, we recommend reaching the A20 Messina - Palermo motorway. It is also possible to reach Pollina by train: the Pollina-San Mauro Castelverde station is a railway station located on the Palermo-Messina line near the town of Finale di Pollina. From Finale it is necessary to take a bus or shuttle direct to Pollina.
What is the best time to visit Pollina?
Pollina 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 Pollina 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 in Pollina
Theatre, towers and castle, places of worship and splendid beaches make Pollina a sought-after tourist destination. There are many beauties of this village: the Maurolico Tower with the Medieval Castle which dominates the entire town; The Pink Stone Theater, a modern theater set in the rock; the Mother Church, dedicated to the SS. Giovanni e Paolo, custodian of art treasures; the Church of San Giuliano, dedicated to the patron saint of the village; the Church of Sant'Antonio, located near the Arch of Sant'Antonio to form a suggestive glimpse; the Church of San Pietro, among the oldest buildings in the village; the Conche Tower and Rais Gerbi Tower watchtowers. Of great importance is the Manna Museum:
Pollina and Castelbuono are in fact the only places in the entire Mediterranean where the knowledge and technique to still produce manna has been preserved. The seaside hamlet of Pollina, Finale, stands in the place where in the eighteenth century the Ventimiglia family built the villa, as a maritime commercial outlet for the Marquisate, from which the town developed. There are several places of interest in Finale di Pollina: the Tower of the Marquis of Geraci, with a defensive and lookout function; Ventimiglia Palace, around which the town developed; the Cortile dei Carrettieri, where the warehouses with the supplies of the Marquis of Geraci were once located; the Church of Santa Maria la Lettera, the oldest in the seaside village. The main attraction of this seaside village is certainly its beach, the Torre Conca Beach.
Traditional Festivals, Events, Live Show, Concerts,... Pollina
The most important religious festival for the village of Pollina is the festival of San Giuliano, the patron saint of the village. During the days of the festival, which traditionally takes place in the month of July, four processions take place, among which the following are particularly evocative: the flour procession and the country procession. Particularly evocative is the nativity scene living of Pollina which winds through the streets of the ancient village. Among the food and wine events, the Sagra della Manna, which celebrates the Madonie product par excellence, and the Pizza festival made with ancient Sicilian grains. Rich in music, art and entertainment are the Carnival of Pollina with the traditional tasting of cavatuna with sausage, and the Valdemone fest, street theatre, new circus and music.
Typical food, local wines and drinks, traditional dish to taste in Pollina
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.
Of great importance for the local economy and for the entire Madonie park is the cultivation of ash groves for the production of manna. It is possible to taste the original product and its many derivatives.
Interesting and Fun Facts
Interesting and fun facts, mythology, legend, folk tales and more to know about Pollina
