Custonaci: Cultural Heritage, Caves and Nature at Monte Cofano

Custonaci between sacred art, prehistoric finds and nature

Custonaci combines sacred art, prehistoric heritage, landscapes and special events. The present-day building of the Santuario di Maria SS. di Custonaci was constructed between the 15th and 16th centuries. Its late Gothic style shows Renaissance influences. At the Museo Arte e Fede, you can see liturgical objects, silverware and works connected with the worship of the Madonna di Custonaci. At the Parco Cerriolo, artworks by local sculptor Giuseppe Cortese are integrated into the landscape.

Grotta Mangiapane: Prehistory, finds and rural life in a cave

Grotta Mangiapane is located in the immediate surroundings of Custonaci and forms part of the speleological site Grotte di Scurati, which comprises a total of nine caves. It is considered an ancient prehistoric settlement. Traces of human presence dating from the Upper Paleolithic have been discovered in the cave, including flint tools. There is also prehistoric pottery from the Early and Middle Neolithic.

Today, Grotta Mangiapane serves as an open-air museum. Agricultural tools, furniture, everyday objects and farm animals illustrate the traditional rural life of Sicily. The cave is also associated with the Presepe vivente di Custonaci, whose performance tradition can be traced back to 1983. Since 2006, it has been listed in the register of Sicily's intangible cultural heritage.

Annual festivals with religious and historical connections in Custonaci

The Festeggiamenti Maria Santissima di Custonaci take place every year at the end of August. They include a pilgrimage on Saturday morning from Sperone to the Santuario della Madonna di Custonaci. One highlight is the historical re-enactment of the Madonna's landing at the cala del Bukuto. In this way, religious devotion and a specific historical motif are placed together at the heart of the festival.

Monte Cofano and the coast: Beaches and marine area

The Riserva Naturale Orientata Monte Cofano can be accessed from Custonaci. Its vegetation includes more than 300 endemic or rare species. Monte Cofano is located in the immediate surroundings of Custonaci. The Spiaggia Monte Cofano is also nearby; Spiaggia del Bue Marino beach is located in the surrounding area of Custonaci.

The historic surroundings include the Castello di Venere and the Castello del Balio o Pepoli, both castles in the area around Custonaci. The Centro Di Cultura Scientifica Ettore Majorana is represented there as a museum. Borgo Cusenza is a fortress in the surrounding area. At the Porta del Sole, at sunset on the winter solstice, the sun's rays pass through the central opening of the trilithon. The marine area offers opportunities for water sports and boat trips.

More destinations for your planning

If you would like to combine Custonaci with other destinations, you can also consider Cornino, Gibellina, Castelvetrano, Fulgatore, Favignana, Ciavolo, Castelluzzo and Erice.

For the higher-level travel overview: Trapani.