Caronia rises on the mountain of the same name which gives its name to the Nebrodi mountain range, also known as Caronie. Its territory extends north to overlook the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its history is rich and ancient: it stands on the site of the ancient Calacte founded in 446 BC. by Ducezio who, defeated by Syracuse and sent into exile in Corinth, returned with some of his men founding a colony. The city reached its maximum splendor in the Hellenistic period to the point of minting its own coins. It was destroyed towards the end of the 1st century AD. from a catastrophic event. The current town was founded by the Normans who built their castle here, around which the village developed. Today Caronia retains its nature as a medieval village in its road structure, in the streets narrow and sinuous, in the courtyards, in the stone portals, in its churches and in its castle.
What is the best time to visit Caronia?
Caronia 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 Caronia 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
The houses are located in the mountain part. In the middle there is the town square, on the other side the medieval castle, characterized by the coat of arms of the three piñatas which dominates the town up to the sea.
The town of Caronia surrounded by mountains and the sea, enjoys delightful air. Located in the heart of the Nebrodi Park, it is also the most wooded municipality in Sicily and one of the greenest in Italy. It offers, in the coastal part, a lush landscape covered in citrus fruits, and in the hamlet of Marina, it has beautiful and clean beaches.
Traditional Festivals, Events, Live Show,... Caronia
Typical food, local wines and drinks, traditional dish to taste in Caronia
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.
"I sfinci ri San Giuseppe", are prepared for the day of Saint Joseph and are served during the "virginieddi" meal. "I varati", typical of the Caronese tradition, are prepared for the Easter holiday. They are biscuits made in various shapes, and in some a hard-boiled egg is inserted in the center as a symbol of the resurrection. The hard piece, "u pezzu ruru", is the typical Caronese semifreddo. Made with a recipe handed down for generations, jealously guarded over the years. "Rucci ri miannula", typical traditional sweets, with an irregular shape, in the center of which the almond or colored candied cherries are placed.
Nearby Places
Below you will find a list of the most beautiful places to visit in the surroundings of Caronia. The places are located at a maximum distance of about an half hour by car. Good fun!