Castello Saraceno

The castle is located on top of the mountain overlooking Taormina. Its position, together with the other castle which is located in Castelmola, served as an observation point for sea and land traffic. It was refortified during the Saracen period and later by the Normans with the walls that you can see today. The walls rise to about 4 meters. A collapse destroyed part of the internal structures, of which remains today a tower with a cistern for collecting water.

The castle can be reached by driving to the Madonna della Rocca, or taking the stairs leading to the shrines, of which I spoke earlier. Unfortunately, today access to the interior of the castle is not possible for bureaucratic reasons. This is a shame because from there you can enjoy an excellent panoramic view. For this we must ask the municipality, considering its historical importance and its scenic beauty, it could be a great economic resource for the city.

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Chiesa Madonna della Rocca

Built in the twelfth century and restored in the 1600s,the small church is so named because it was built into the rock.

Legend has it that one day a shepherd boy trying to protect his flock went into a cave. In the glow of a lightning strike, he saw a lady with a baby in her arms. Frightened he fled, leaving the sheep. He returned later with his parents. At the point where he had seen the lady, there was a crack in the rock in which you could see a painting of the lady with the baby. After the appearance of the apparition of the Madonna to the shepherd, the small cave became a place of pilgrimage for many believers who still today, every third Sunday of September, go to the church to celebrate the Madonna della Rocca.

Madonna della Rocca is accessible by car, or if you are feeling energetic you can climb the steps up to the church.

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