Attractions and Places To See around Montemaggiore Belsito - Top 16

Chiesa SS. Annunziata (Church of the Most Holy Annunciation) is a historic Catholic parish church located in Piazza SS. Annunziata, Caccamo (PA), Sicily, Italy. It is one of the major religious monuments in the historic centre of Caccamo and serves as an active parish within the Archdiocese of Palermo. The church’s origins are medieval, likely dating back to between the late 14th and early 15th centuries. It underwent significant expansion in 1643, giving it its current layout with a Latin cross plan and three naves. An octagonal dome was added in 1762, becoming one of the church’s defining architectural features. Throughout history, the church has evolved stylistically, blending medieval foundations with Baroque elements visible in the façade and interior decoration.

The Cathedral of San Giorgio Martire,called Cathedral of Caccamo, stands in Piazza Duomo. According to legend , the city's first cathedral was the Church of Sant'Anna e Santa Venera, a now-ruined building on the edge of the old quarter of 'Terravecchia', at the foot of the castle. A first mother church was built around 1094 , probably a small court chapel, as evidenced by a plaque in the temple attributed to the Normans. In the years 1477 - 1480, the building was enlarged and enriched with numerous works of art, an expression of the Sicilian Renaissance, thanks to the generosity and rule of the Enriquez - Prades - Cabrera families. In 1606, the judges and representatives of the powerful city families, represented by the Henriquez and Amato families and Canon Paolo Muscia, decided to build a larger mother church ex novo, taking into account the increased needs of the population, giving them the task of completing the project entrusted to the architect Vincenzo La Barbera from Palermo. In 1614, the prayer house was rebuilt with gifts from patrons of the city, the new construction given dictates typical of the flourishing Sicilian baroque. The temple thus renovated brings together the already existing artistic treasures with new commissions and works from other abandoned or dilapidated places of worship. The pyramid-shaped spire of the bell tower was finished with 4200 majolica tiles with the image of Saint George on the four sides. In 1790, lightning destroyed the bell tower, the repair was entrusted to Nicolò Pruiti who made the model in a conical shape. On that occasion, the bell chamber was also rebuilt with cut stone. The floor of the church, paved with grey, black and pink Carrara marble, was renewed and replaced the existing floor in majolica tiles. The dome is cube-shaped and is supported by four pillars.

Very easy hike, very beautiful from Cacamo! Magnificent view of the North Sicilian coast from Palermo to Cefalu!

Long trousers even in summer or in any case long socks, the path is not always clean, pay particular attention in the second part after the precarious rock, it is practically the only stretch that can be a little dangerous because it is close to the Devil's ravine. With a constant pace you can go up and down in about 3 hours

According to tradition, San Calogero lived in the cliffs of the mountain and left his footprint in one of his stones in chasing the demons that troubled the mountain and the nearby baths.

Mount San Calogero, with its 1290 meters of altitude, remains a rather high peak for the average of the region.

After the short detour to the ghost town you ride back past the railway station and continue towards the small village of Alia where you’ll find indications for the Gurfa caves, but in case you don’t see any, just ask for “Gurfa” and the locals will show you where to go. It is necessary to book a visit to the Gurfa caves at the tourist office, please refer to the information below. Gioacchino is one of the knowledgeable volunteers at the tourist office, make sure you call in advance. More details on www.sicilycycling.com/bike-tour-gurfa-caves

The Caves of the Gurfa are hypogea dug in very ancient times and used by Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and by all the peoples who inhabited Sicily in the ages. It is said that it was the ancient tomb of Minos.