Casa Migliaca
Casa Migliaca is located 7 km from the north coast of Sicily, which has always belonged to the Allegra family, Signora Teresa’s family who lived in the nearby town of Mistretta. There are no documents from which one can determine how old Casa Migliaca is, but it was probably built in the 17th century. The location of the house on one side of the old path to the Tusa river is strategically good and from here there is a fantastic view of the Tusa valley.
Head
Cefalù is a cozy port town with almost 14,000 inhabitants. The most characteristic of the city is the large cliff that rises from the center. If the weather is clear, it is an unusually wonderful trip to climb this. It is an old city and part of the city wall can be dated back to the 5th century BC. From the same period there is a Diana temple up on the cliff. Greeks, Syracuse, Romans and Byzantines have alternately held power in the city.
Tusa
On the opposite side of the Tusa Valley – seen from Casa Migliaca – lies Tusa 614 m above sea level. It is a city with almost 3,500 inhabitants. It was a Greek settlement some distance away that founded the city. Just outside Tusa is the archeological site of Halaesa Arconidea. These are the ruins of a secular city founded in 403 BC. of Arconide, tyrant of Herbita. The greatness of the city was known in Roman times and in the beginning of Christianity, when it became the episcopal see.
Enna and Piazza Amerina
Enna, also called the navel of Sicily, is a mountain town, located at an altitude of 940-970 m. It has just over 28,000 inhabitants and is Italy’s highest provincial capital. The mountain on which the city is located is part of the Monte Erei mountain range. From the city you can see far and wide – in good weather from Etna in the east to Monte Erice in the west – and it has therefore always had great defensive significance. In the city park you will find the octagonal tower, Torre di Federico 2., which is the only remnant of an old city wall.
Piazza Armerina and Villa del Casale
Piazza Armerina has just over 20,000 inhabitants. The town is located at an altitude of 700 m on the slopes of Monte Ereis. The city is lively with many narrow streets. It is beautifully situated, surrounded by a number of eucalyptus forests. Several archaeological finds show that the site has been inhabited since prehistoric times. From the 14th century you will find a fortress, Castello Aragonese. The town was not known by many until in 1950 Villa Romana del Casale was found, a 3,500 m2 imperial villa probably built in 285-305, ie. in late Roman style.
Randazzo
Throughout history, several of Sicily’s rulers have resided in this small town, which is beautifully situated overlooking Mount Etna. The good climate made them settle here. Another important factor was its location on the old, important Via dei Monti. Until the 17th century, the city was divided into three districts, each speaking its own language: in the San Nicola district, Greek was spoken, in the Santa Maria district it was Latin, and in San Martino it was Lombard.
Castel di Lucio
15 km from Pettineo is Castel di Lucio, a cozy mountain town 753 meters above sea level, with 1,600 inhabitants. Above the city are the ruins of a Norman castle from the 12th century.
Pettineo
The earliest note on the city dates from the 13th century and deals with a property, the Pectineum, which is handed over to one of the king’s administrators for long and faithful service. Around the year 1500, the fortress is built, whose ruins today stand as a landmark when approaching the city.
Motta d’Affermo
An old small town that can be seen from Casa Migliaca is Motta d’Affermo, with 1,150 inhabitants. It is 6 km from Pettineo. The city, like the rest of Sicily, has had changing rulers. From around the 16th century it was an important city, i.a. because of its fortress, churches and its public buildings.
Messina
Messina is Sicily’s newest metropolis because the old Messina was completely wiped out by an earthquake 100 years ago, in 1908. Where over 70,000 of the city’s inhabitants lost their lives.
Caltagirone
Caltagirone, which has a population of 37,000, is one of Sicily’s two centers for ceramics. The history of the city goes back further than the year 1,000 BC. Scale of Maria SS. Del Monte is a giant staircase that was made in the 17th century as a connection between the old city at the top and the new city at the bottom.
Aci Castello
North of Catania towards the coast is Aci Castello, a small town with a Norman castle from the 12th century. South of the castle, the cliffs form a plateau at the water’s edge. It was formerly used as a dance floor when there was a ball in town.
Lushoto
Take beautiful walks and explore the Usambara mountain range. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery and take an ice cold dip under the Soni waterfall. In Lushoto, the surroundings are amazing.
Gola dell’Alcantara
The Gola dell ‘Alcantara is a marvelous, deep gorge that lies where the Peloritaner mountain passes into Mount Etna. The gorge is formed by the fact that the meltwater river Alcantara has for millennia dug itself down through the rock masses, whereby the vertical, stair-like, crystalline walls are formed.
Mistretta
From Mistretta there is a beautiful panorama of the sea, where in clear weather you can see the Aeolian Islands. In winter, it is not uncommon for snow to fall in the city. The founding of the city is lost in the dawn of time. According to the Odyssey, the Cyclops lived here. After all, the city is one of Sicily’s oldest.
