Motta Sant'Anastasia: History, Festivals and Landscape

Motta Sant'Anastasia can be discovered through its historical, festive and scenic facets. For your travel decision, it is worth noting that specific destinations are located both in the town itself and in the surrounding area and the wider regional area.

Historical traces in the town

A historical museum covering the period from the 12th to the 16th century has been established in the Norman keep of Motta Sant'Anastasia. On the ground floor, it features a multimedia presentation with a multilingual video about the history of Motta Sant'Anastasia. The first floor houses the Aula Hostilium, an arms hall. Here, you therefore encounter both the town's history and a dedicated historical room containing weapons.

In Contrada Ardizzone, archaeological investigations from 1954 document a Greek presence in the area of Motta Sant'Anastasia around the 5th and 4th centuries BC. The history of the town therefore reaches back to a considerably older period than the museum in the keep.

Festivals and local culture

The Feste Medievali in Motta Sant'Anastasia include historical reenactments, performances and folk traditions and are renewed year after year. The Festa Ranni, the festivities in honour of Sant'Anastasia in Motta Sant'Anastasia, takes place every four years from 23 August to 25 August.

The Pro Loco Motta Sant'Anastasia is committed to culture and tourism and welcomes visitors.

Cultural destinations in the surrounding area

The area around Motta Sant'Anastasia is home to Palazzo Moncada, a palazzo, Castello Normanno Paterno, a castle, the Museo della civiltà contadina, a museum, and the Museo Emilio Greco, also a museum.

Beaches and geological features

The area around Motta Sant'Anastasia also includes Spiaggia della Plaia, Playa di Catania and Lido Del Carabiniere, each a beach. Primosole Beach, a beach, lies in the wider regional area. For your planning, the spatial distinction between the surrounding area and the wider regional area is therefore maintained.

The Neck of Motta Sant'Anastasia is linked as a geosite to the Geosite Database of the Province of Catania under record number 119.

Route through rolling hills and olive groves

The route from Motta Sant'Anastasia to the Foce del Simeto begins at the intersection of Corso Sicilia and Via Terre Nere in Motta Sant'Anastasia. Along the route, the paved road passes through hilly terrain that is predominantly planted with olive trees. A cycling tour towards Motta Sant'Anastasia includes a short break in the outer courtyard of the Norman Castle. When choosing your accommodation location, these different focuses may play a role: history in the town, destinations in the surrounding area, a beach in the wider regional area or a route through hilly terrain with olive trees.

More destinations for orientation

If you would like to compare Motta Sant'Anastasia with other destinations, you can find Fiumefreddo Di Sicilia, Piedimonte Etneo, Belpasso, San Giorgio, Vaccarizzo-Delfino, Canalicchio, Passopisciaro and Puntalazzo here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Catania.