A trip to Mistretta, in the heart of the Nebrodi Park

As we venture into the historic centre, amongst its squares and panoramic views, we discover, one after another, the artistic gems and monuments that make Mistretta a must-see tourist destination, starting with the Church of Santa Lucia (the Mother Church), also known as the ‘Shrine of Our Lady of Miracles’, with its unmistakable bell tower: dating from the Norman period, this church boasts a magnificent carved portal and a series of works of art scattered throughout the naves and interior chapels. Among the sacred buildings, all well worth a visit, the Church of the Holy Trinity, the Oratory of the Holy Saviour and the Church of St John stand out.

Monumental remains bear witness to Mistretta’s past; in the Middle Ages, the town was surrounded by mighty walls, of which Porta Palermo is the sole surviving remnant, albeit incorporated into more recent buildings. The stately homes dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries are splendid: among the oldest is Palazzo Scaduto, built by the baron of the same name and adorned with statues and bas-reliefs; equally impressive are the 18th-century Palazzo Russo and the 19th-century buildings (Palazzo Tita, Salomone-Giaconia and Passarello). Strolling amongst the sumptuous buildings, one comes across numerous fountains, scattered throughout the historic centre of Mistretta, a sign of the abundance of fresh spring water that flows from the Nebrodi Mountains and reaches the town directly.

Mistretta also offers visits to three interesting museums (the G. Cocchiara Forestry and Pastoral Museum, the Fauna Museum and the Municipal Museum) and the chance to relax amidst the greenery of Villa Garibaldi, a splendid 19th-century example of a ‘Italian-style garden’ in the medieval style, surrounded by geometric arrangements of rare plants and centuries-old trees.

Staying on the ‘green’ theme, no trip to Mistretta is complete without an excursion to the Nebrodi Mountains and their equally precious natural treasures: Lake Quattrocchi, situated in a panoramic spot at the foot of Mount Castelli, surrounded by beech woods and the typical local thistle, and the Ciddia Waterfalls – nine in total – the perfect destination to cool off on summer afternoons, with a maximum drop of 35 metres.