Mitta: History, Landscape and San Sebastiano

Historic settlement at 410 metres

Mitta lies 410 metres above sea level and about 10 kilometres from Casalvecchio Siculo. In the landscape plan of the Sicily Region, Mitta is classified under code NS_20_09 as a historic settlement core.

As early as the 18th century, Mitta had a church dedicated to Saint San Sebastiano. The parish church of San Sebastiano is located on Piazza Chiesa in Mitta, Casalvecchio Siculo.

Churches and preserved heritage

The Church of SS. Pietro e Paolo d’Agrò in Casalvecchio Siculo dates back to AD 560 and was restored in 1172. The documented architectural history in the relevant municipal area therefore stretches back a long way.

The parish museum of Casalvecchio Siculo was established to preserve works of art, tools and household objects that would otherwise probably have become scattered. It preserves a white liturgical vestment from the 17th century, finely embroidered and decorated with gold and coral, as well as a silver monstrance from 1684.

The parish museum also displays evidence of the rural and pastoral culture of Casalvecchio Siculo, including a stone grain mill and a larger mill with gears dating from 1700.

Gole Ranciara and the landscape

The Gole Ranciara were formed over centuries through the erosion caused by the waters of the Fiumara d’Agrò. They lie on the boundary between the territories of Casalvecchio and Limina.

On the left bank of the Gole Ranciara, in the Mitta area, the ruins of one of the first power stations built in Sicily can still be seen. It was built by the Mastroieni family.

Trails, elevations and routes

The SP 020 di Mitta provincial road connects the SP 019 with its endpoint in the Mitta hamlet of Casalvecchio Siculo. It runs from 377 to 456 metres above sea level.

The “Valli Joniche dei Peloritani” route passes through Mitta. It is 60 kilometres long and has more than 70 hairpin bends. Both route characteristics set the overall parameters for the journey; trip timing should take them into account when planning the route.

The Sentiero Vernà lies between Antillo and Casalvecchio Siculo. It is considered a guided hiking trail. Along the route, hikers encounter Douglas fir, alder and Atlas cedar tree species.

The forest reserve at the foot of Pizzo Vernà is a Site of Community Importance.

San Sebastiano as a local focus of celebration

The celebrations of San Sebastiano in Mitta lasted for two days. During these celebrations, the historic town band of Casalvecchio Siculo played in the small streets of the hamlet. At the end, a procession took place with the recently restored simulacrum of Saint San Sebastiano.

More destinations

For further travel planning, you can also include Milazzo, Gaggi, Castroreale, Vulcano Piano, Capizzi, Forza D'agrò, Mongiove and Messina.

For the higher-level travel overview: Messina.