Novara di Sicilia

In ancient Renaissance papers the village was called Noara, a village whose history is lost in the mists of time, but today is the most important place of passage located on the so called “Road of the 2 seas”.

'Novara' among the "most beautiful villages in Italy"

The ancient town of Novara di Sicilia is part of the "most beautiful villages in Italy", and has its origins in the heart of the Middle Ages, with a long history tied to the Arabs, the Normans, and the Cistercians, in fact, near the village are the ruins of the former Cistercian monastery of Sicily, whose foundation dates back to 1137.

The village is really unique alternating ancient alleys, steps and panoramic corners of rare beauty, where you can still feel the authenticity of the ancient countries than once and the real Sicilian life, where time seems to stand still, thus creating a unique place where you can completely relax.

Novara di Sicilia is located just 30 minutes from the Tyrrhenian Sea, Tindari and Marinello, just in front of the Aeolian islands, and only 45 minutes from the Ionian coast where you can find Taormina, Giardini Naxos and the Etna volcano.

Between Woods and Rocks

The territory of Novara di Sicilia is an oasis of green, an area rich in forests of oak and pine trees, flowering meadows and hills of olive trees, hazelnut trees, vines and aromatic plants. Dominate the landscape the Rocks ’Salvatesta’ and ‘Leone’, two magnificent cliffs that are part of the Sicilian heritage site.

Nature is certainly one of the great protagonists of Novara di Sicilia, medieval village located on the border between the Peloritani and the Nebrodi mountains. For lovers of nature trails and hiking, the village of Novara is therefore an ideal destination. The landscape is characterized by hills, some evergreen, where there are olive trees, vineyards and hazelnut trees, others characterized by forests of oak and pine.

But the great natural attraction is formed by the rocks of Novara di Sicilia: the ‘Salvatesta’ (1340 masl), also known as the Matterhorn of Sicily, and the ‘Leone’ (1222 m). To visit these two magnificent rocks is a nature trail was created that allows you to discover the wonders of the area and enjoy breathtaking views ranging from the Aeolian islands to the Etna volcano and Argimusco.

The rocks of Novara of Sicily are rich in rock shelters and caves used since ancient times. The whole area is therefore a real natural and archaeological treasure trove. From the northern side of ‘Salvatesta’ rock you can also look at the profile of a face that inspired anthropomorphic different stories and legends. Among them is the one that tells of a great treasure hidden in the rocky ravines guarded precisely by the 'wise old man' petrified.