Caltavuturo: Rocca di Sciara, Archaeology and Church Art

Caltavuturo combines a connection with nature, settlement history, museum collections and church art. If you are planning a trip with diverse cultural interests, you will find a multifaceted townscape here, shaped by geological landscapes, ancient history and sacred works of art.

Rocca di Sciara and Terravecchia

Rocca di Sciara is a striking limestone massif overlooking the town of Caltavuturo. The “Rocca di Sciara” geological educational trail begins on Via Terravecchia at the edge of Caltavuturo. Terravecchia is a municipal archaeological park in the suburban area at the site of the ancient settlement of Caltavuturo, whose origins probably date back to the Byzantine period. Terravecchia is prominently situated at the foot of Rocca di Sciara. The castle is Terravecchia’s most prominent monument. This gives you two distinct points of interest for your planning: the limestone massif and the ancient settlement site.

Museum of Collections and a Coin Hoard

At the Museo Civico “G. Guarnieri” in Caltavuturo, the MOPS collection comes from the Palermo-based scientist and playwright Angelo Sicilia. The museum also displays the Pagliuzza coin hoard; the coins date from the end of the 3rd to the end of the 2nd century BC.

Churches and Sacred Art

The sacred sites also provide distinctive highlights. Santa Maria la Nuova is an 18th-century church in Caltavuturo. It houses a depiction of the Virgin and Child attributed to the workshop of Antonello Gagini. Santa Maria la Nuova also houses a marble tabernacle dated 1516, with influences from Laurana.

The Chiesa Madre of Caltavuturo is a late-Renaissance church. It houses a richly decorated Baroque organ attributed to Raffaele La Valle, as well as a painting from the Flemish school entitled “L’Adorazione dei Magi”. The Church of San Francesco dei Padri Riformati houses a wooden crucifix by Fra’Umile Pintorno da Petralia. The sacred art on display thus ranges from Renaissance and Baroque elements to individual works with named attributions.

A Historic Festival Date

Another highlight is the festival culture. On Sunday, 10 November 2019, the XIV edition of the Fungo Ferla Festival took place in Caltavuturo, featuring tastings, guided tours, exhibitions and excursions.

Choose the Focus of Your Trip

When choosing a hotel in Caltavuturo, you can organize your days around your preferred focus. Perhaps you are particularly interested in geological topics, ancient settlement history, museum collections or sacred art. The different facets give your trip a clear direction without reducing Caltavuturo to just one attraction or a single theme.

Further destinations for planning your trip: Cerda, Petralia Soprana, San Mauro Castelverde, Montelepre, Campofelice Di Roccella, Altavilla Milicia, Masseria D'amari, Valledolmo

To the higher-level travel overview: Palermo.