Holiday apartment in Aragona: nature, art and Sicilian tradition

Aragona combines an unusual natural phenomenon with sacred art, local cuisine and living traditions. The Riserva Naturale Macalube di Aragona is an integral nature reserve covering an area of 256 hectares and located in the municipalities of Aragona and Joppolo Giancaxio.

The Macalube and its protected zone

The reserve protects rare cold mud volcanoes and the associated phenomenon of sedimentary volcanism. This landscape includes small clay cones approximately 50–80 cm high, from which gas and mud emerge.

A clear zoning system applies to visits to the Macalube Reserve: excursions are permitted only in pre-reserve Zone B. Zone A, with its small volcanoes and Mediterranean ponds, is reserved exclusively for scientific research. The geological formations therefore belong to the protected area, while excursions are limited to Zone B.

Art, architecture and living traditions

The Chiesa Madre di Aragona houses a painting of the Adoration of the Magi dated 1607. Possible artists include lo Zoppo di Gangi and Pietro d’Asaro, also known as il Monocolo di Racalmuto.

Palazzo Naselli stands in Piazza Umberto. It was built at the beginning of the 18th century and has four loggias at the corners. In Aragona, living folklore traditions and customs are celebrated throughout the year.

The Museo Diocesano di Aragona displays an extensive collection of paintings, including a rare monochrome by the Capuchin painter Fra Felice Da Sambuca. MUDIA Aragona is one of the exhibition centres of the Diocesan Museum of Agrigento. Through MUDIA Aragona, the Diocesan Museum of Agrigento is also connected with Aragona.

Taganu di Aragona and regional flavour

Aragona also has a distinctive local culinary identity. The PAT-certified Taganu di Aragona is one of the traditional agri-food products of the Sicily region. Its tradition is still alive in Aragona today and continues to be cultivated there. Taganu thus combines its regional association with Sicily with the tradition that is still maintained in Aragona today.

Holiday apartment in Aragona: location and travel

Access to the Riserva Naturale Macalube di Aragona is via Aragona on the SS 189 between Agrigento and Palermo at kilometre 56; the protected area is located four kilometres south-west of the town. With the protected area situated four kilometres south-west of the town, it should be planned as a separate destination alongside Aragona when travelling there. The road information refers to the reserve, while bus and train connections use Aragona as their reference point.

Aragona is served by bus routes on the Agrigento–Palermo line and can be reached by train from Palermo and Catania. Aragona railway station is approximately two kilometres from the town. When travelling by train, this distance should be taken into account when planning your stay in Aragona.

Other nearby places: Montallegro, Campobello Di Licata, Borsellino, Contrada Fiori Sud, Canicattì, Licata, Racalmuto and Castrofilippo.

More about the Agrigento region: Agrigento.