Capizzi between Church Art and the Nebrodi Landscape

Capizzi lies at an elevation of 1,130 metres above sea level in the southern part of the Nebrodi, on a hill at the foot of Monte Averna. Much of the area consists of coppice forests and pastureland. This combines a pronounced high-altitude setting with a landscape where nature and historically developed architecture stand side by side. The town therefore offers several different points of interest for planning your trip: churches, art, a local festive speciality and a stage of the Cammino dei Briganti.

Historic Centre and Notable Churches

Parts of Capizzi’s historic centre retain a medieval appearance. This includes paving and walls made of local stone. The Chiesa Madre has a Gothic portal dating from 1234 and was remodelled in the 19th century by Pietro Del Campo. Admission is free and the church is accessible, making it of interest also to visitors with different mobility needs.

The Santuario di San Giacomo Apostolo Maggiore was built by the Normans around the 12th century, expanded in the 16th century and completed in 1780. Inside is the Madonna del Soccorso, made of white marble and created by Antonello Gagini in 1517. The combination of its medieval beginnings, later extensions and a clearly dated work of art makes the sanctuary an especially vivid place for anyone interested in the development of sacred architecture.

Art, Devotion and Local Architectural History

The Museo di Arte Sacra Diocesano is housed in the former rooms of the Confraternita del Santissimo Sacramento in the hypogeum of the Chiesa Madre San Nicolò. Access is available by prior arrangement with the parish. This makes it easy to plan a visit to the museum as a separate item on your itinerary. Since 1 September 2011, a relic ex cute from the skull of Saint Anthony has been visibly kept in a niche beneath the saint’s statue in the Chiesa Sant'Antonio di Padova. It was removed during the canonical examination of 1981.

The architectural history of the Chiesa Sant'Antonio di Padova can also be traced across several periods. The church was rebuilt and decorated by the Russo family in 1751 and has a single-nave layout. At the same time, it preserves the original floor plan from 1629, executed in local sandstone. In the Palazzo Russo Larcan, an authentic 17th-century palace, decorations and secco paintings can be admired on the piano nobile following the most recent restorations; they bear witness to its former splendour.

Landscape, Hiking and a Sweet Festive Tradition

If you would like to combine culture with activity, a stage of the Cammino dei Briganti begins in Capizzi. It leads to the former field guards’ barracks in Sambuchello of the Azienda Speciale Silvo Pastorale di Troina. Mastazzolo, a typical sweet served at the Feast of San Giacomo in Capizzi, also represents the local food culture. These varied themes make Capizzi a destination for travellers who want to combine historical details, landscape and regional traditions in a single stay.

Discover More Places

As your next destinations, you can also explore Furnari, Leni, Alicudi Porto, Contrada Lacco, Rocca Di Capri Leone, Montalbano Di Elicona, Trappitello and Gallodoro.

For the higher-level travel overview: Messina.