Discover Tusa: History, Art and Nature

The historic center of Tusa

The historic center of Tusa preserves the character of a typical medieval citadel. This character is particularly visible in the narrow streets and religious buildings. For those interested in culture, the focus here is on the medieval citadel, its narrow streets and the religious buildings.

Ancient and Religious History

The Chiesa Madre di Tusa was rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake and dedicated to Maria Santissima Assunta. The ancient city of Halaesa Arconidea was founded by Archonides in 403 BC. A thermal complex covering approximately 800 square meters was excavated in Halaesa Arconidea in Tusa. The Chiesa Madre was rebuilt after 1693; Halaesa was founded in 403 BC.

Fiumara d’Arte on the Tusa River

Fiumara d’Arte is an open-air museum of sculptures and land art installations along the banks of the Tusa River, including in the municipal area of Tusa. The banks of the Tusa serve as the outdoor setting for the art. Land art incorporates the site into the artistic design; at Fiumara d’Arte, this site extends along the river. The riverside location is therefore part of the spatial layout of the open-air museum. For outdoor art, both the sculptures and the land art installations are significant here.

Sculptures and Artistic Traditions

La materia poteva non esserci by Pietro Consagra is an 18-meter-high reinforced-concrete sculpture consisting of two parallel forms. One form is white and the other black. The Li Volsi were a family of sculptors, woodcarvers and stucco artists from Tusa. The division of colors and the parallel arrangement define the work’s formal appearance.

The Pyramid of the 38th Parallel

La Piramide del 38° Parallelo was created by Mauro Staccioli in 1981 and is approximately 30 meters high. It is located at the 38th parallel north and represents a message of peace and reconciliation. Its form is a hollow tetrahedron made of Corten steel. In terms of form, Consagra’s and Staccioli’s works are clearly different: Consagra’s sculpture consists of two parallel forms, while Staccioli’s pyramid is a hollow tetrahedron. The tetrahedron stands as a single geometric solid alongside Consagra’s two parallel forms.

Bosco Tardara Nature Area

Within the municipal area of Tusa, Bosco Tardara is a Natura 2000 site of community importance with the designation SIC ITA020018. In Tusa, it is also a nature area of great interest and a destination for excursions. Those interested in nature can view Bosco Tardara as both a Natura 2000 site and an excursion destination.

Getting There

Regional Trenitalia trains connect Palermo with Tusa either directly or with a transfer. When traveling by train, Tusa can therefore be reached from Palermo either directly or via a transfer. Which option is chosen depends on the specific train connection. For individual travel planning, the distinction between a direct connection and a transfer therefore remains decisive.

More destinations for your trip to Italy: Canneto, Francavilla Di Sicilia, Caronia, Rodia, Terme Vigliatore, Locadi, Nizza Di Sicilia, Ginostra

To the higher-level travel overview: Messina.