Sciara rises on the slopes of Monte San Calogero in an area rich in history. The remains found in its territory testify to the presence of man starting from the 5th - 4th century BC. The current town was born on 13 November 1671 at the behest of the King of Spain Charles II who granted the title of Prince of Sciara to the Sicilian aristocrat Filippo Notabartolo Cipolla. Megalithic walls, Dolmen, necropolis, fortified farmhouses, the castle and the religious buildings are today witnesses of the long and rich history of this village. The territory of Sciara falls within the Monte San Calogero Nature Reserve, which extends as far as the gulf of Termini Imerese offering landscapes and panoramas of considerable charm .
What is the best time to visit Sciara?
Sciara 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 Sciara 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 ancient castle built by the noble Notabartolo Cipolla, prince of Sciara, overlooks the town. The ancient Church of Sant'Anna, which rises imposingly with its Gothic style on the main square, it is the symbol of the village. A second church dedicated to Sant'Anna, recently built, preserves works by Arnaldo Pomodoro and Ernesto Treccani. Also of interest is the Archaeological Museum of Sciara Traditions within which there is a room dedicated to Salvatore Carnevale, a trade unionist killed by the mafia in 1955. On the territory of Sciara, a few kilometers from the town centre, is the archaeological site of Mura Pregne, known for its massive wall and dolmen. In the Bevaio area, a Greek necropolis was brought to light, the finds of which are now kept in the Himera antiquarium. In the Sonatore district there is the Church of Addolorata. The oriented natural reserve of Monte San Calogero offers panoramas and landscapes of considerable charm and numerous opportunities for trekking lovers.
Traditional Festivals, Events, Live Show,... Sciara
Among the most anticipated events in the village of Sciara is the Patronal Festival dedicated to the SS. Crucifix which traditionally takes place on the first Sunday of August, and the Palio di Sant'Eligio, which takes place on the last Sunday of September, and is characterized by the procession of the image of Sant'Eligio on the horse of the knight who requested the privilege. Among the festivals we remember Sciara Street Food Fest, the Festival dedicated to street food which takes place in the month of July.
Typical food, local wines and drinks, traditional dish to taste in Sciara
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.
Sciara is a village whose economy is based mainly on agriculture and the cultivation of citrus groves, olive groves and artichoke groves. Among the local specialties artichokes alla villanella, so called because it was born as a poor dish consumed by the farmers, the viddani
Nearby Places
Below you will find a list of the most beautiful places to visit in the surroundings of Sciara. The places are located at a maximum distance of about an half hour by car. Good fun!
