Montelepre: Towers, Churches and Festivals

Montelepre combines historic architecture, churches, processions and festivals with a local food culture that comes to life on several dates throughout the year.

Towers, Museum and Churches

The Ventimiglia Tower was built between 1433 and 1435 by the Archbishop of Monreale, Giovanni Ventimiglia, on the basis of a concession from King Alfonso V D'Aragona. The building is in the Norman style and is typologically equated with the typical French “donjon roman”. Its terrace offers panoramic views of the Gulf of Castellammare.

The Museo Civico di Montelepre is housed in the historic Torre Ventimiglia. The Church of Maria SS del Rosario bears the name Chiesa Madre and stands in the historic centre of Montelepre.

Sagana and the Landscape

The Chiesa SS. Salvatore di Sagana has origins dating back to the 17th century. It was built on a hill overlooking the valley and the surrounding landscape. Connected with Monte d'Oro, on the opposite side of the mountain, is a necropolis called “Handle of Quarara”.

Festivals of Pastries and Processions

The Sagra della Sfincia is a traditional event in Montelepre held on 6 January. The focus is a local E-shaped pastry made from water and flour, refined with sugar, honey and cinnamon. Sugar, honey and cinnamon shape its sweet flavour, while the E-shape determines the external form of the local pastry in Montelepre.

The Sagra dei Prodotti De.Co. takes place on 30 December and combines local gastronomy, a market with local products, songs and folk dances. The Sagra della Vastedda is a festival in Montelepre scheduled for 7 December.

U Matrimoniu is a carnival event held on Carnival Sunday in February. The parade depicts a grotesque wedding with a bride, groom and guests. The Processione dei Misteri leads from the Chiesa Madre through the streets of Montelepre's historic centre and displays eighty tableaux featuring significant events from the Old and New Testaments.

The Festa del Santissimo Salvatore takes place every year on 6 August at the Chiesa SS. Salvatore di Sagana. Depending on when you travel, culinary events, a carnival parade, religious processions or the landscape around Sagana may therefore be the main focus. When choosing your hotel in Montelepre, you can incorporate this personal focus into your travel planning.

Discover Montelepre According to Your Interests

The combination of specific buildings, religious sites, connections to the landscape and dated festivals appeals to visitors with different interests. Those who want to experience local culture not only through individual buildings, but also through pastries, markets, music, dance and processions, will find several clearly distinguishable themes in Montelepre. This means that the choice of when to travel can depend more strongly on the desired experience than on a single type of attraction.

Discover More Destinations

Ginestra, Isola Delle Femmine, Terrasini, Villabate, Castelbuono, Palazzo Adriano, Aspra and Geraci Siculo

To the higher-level travel overview: Palermo.