Holiday apartment in Collesano: Church Art, Targa Florio and Madonie Forest

Collesano preserves its historic appearance around the remains of the Norman castle. The narrow streets, lanes and stairways lead towards Piazza Garibaldi, allowing the town to be experienced as a succession of closely spaced discoveries.

Church Art from the Middle Ages to the Baroque Period

Church art is a particularly concentrated highlight in Collesano. The Basilica di Santa Maria la Nuova contains works by Zoppo di Gangi and Pietro Novelli. Santa Maria la Vecchia is the oldest church in Collesano and houses a 16th-century Madonna by Gagini. The Chiesa Madre was built towards the end of the 15th century and contains statues from the circle of the sculptor Antonello Gagini.

Other religious buildings also have their own distinctive features. The Chiesa di San Giacomo was built towards the end of the 15th century and houses a 16th-century wooden statue of the Apostle James. The Chiesa di Santa Maria di Gesù preserves a wooden crucifix from 1635, regarded as a documented work by Frate Umile di Petralia; it is adjoined by a 17th-century cloister. The Chiesa del Collegio contains a depiction of the dead Christ in an urn.

Ceramics, Stairways and Local Craftsmanship

On Via Polizzi there is a panoramic stairway completely covered in ceramics. Its design incorporates the colours and motifs typical of Collesano's tradition. Near the Bagherino district, the old fornaci are locally known as “stazzuna”. The pottery kilns associated with the “stazzuna”, as well as the processing, firing and glazing of clay, originate from a 17th-century tradition.

The Targa Florio in the Townscape

The Museo Targa Florio is located in a municipal building on Corso Vittorio Emanuele and documents the history of the Targa Florio. It displays documents, memorabilia, photographs, helmets, racing suits and shoes. The museum also has an extensive photographic collection in a 200-square-metre exhibition area. Collesano is the crossroads of the three Madonie race circuits: Grande, Medio and Piccolo.

An Easy Route through the Madonie Forest

For an active stage, the SENTIERO CASE RASCATE – LA VIA DEI CASTAGNETI in Parco delle Madonie leads from Collesano through a cork oak and oak forest to the Case Rascata. The route is classified as easy and is accessible to everyone, including people without trekking experience. From Collesano town centre, access is via Via Isnello, the SP 109 towards Isnello and then Provincial Road 128. The different experiences help you consciously weigh up the desired mix of culture and nature when choosing your accommodation.

Festival in the Historic Centre

The Collesano Cheese Festival is called “17. Sagra del Formaggio”. During the festival, the historic centre is transformed into a gourmet village for two consecutive days. In Collesano, there is an information point for Parco delle Madonie on Viale Vincenzo Florio.

More Places for Trip Planning

Isnello, Ficarazzi, Corleone, Gratteri, Campofelice Di Roccella, Altavilla Milicia, Ustica, Finale

For the higher-level travel overview: Palermo.