Discover Marineo: Holiday apartment in a cultural and river landscape

Marineo: Valley, Rocca and Bosco di Ficuzza

Marineo lies in the valley of the Eleuterio River, on the edge of this valley and at the entrance to Bosco di Ficuzza. The Rocca rises above the town and is also known by the names Dente canino della Sicilia and Tomba di Polifemo. The ruins of Castello di Cefalà Diana, the ruins of Castello dell'Emiro and the Real Casina di Caccia monastery are located in the surrounding area. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Marineo, river landscapes, rocks and cultural sites come together here.

The Chiesetta della Madunnuzza is located about one kilometre from Marineo, in Mediterranean scrubland with several centuries-old oak trees. Several mills lie along the Eleutero River in the surrounding area; today, they survive as ruins. Rocca Busambra (cima) is a mountain in the area around Marineo; Spiaggia Roccella and Spiaggia Majestic are located in the wider regional surroundings.

Holiday apartment in Marineo between culture and landscape

The Castello Beccadelli Bologna stands on a rocky promontory above the valley and houses the Archaeological Museum of the Eleuterio Valley. The Castello dates from the 16th century. In 1553, the remains began to be rebuilt and repaired; the castle was subsequently converted into a country residence.

A copy of the Baroque Ceramica di S.Ciro can be seen on the side façade of the Chiesa Madre. It was created in Palermo in the first half of the 18th century by unknown artists. The Convento Madonna della Dayna and its sanctuary were built towards the end of the 16th century under Vincenzo Beccadelli on a rocky peak north of Marineo. Its church preserves significant historical and artistic works, including works that predate the present town and monastery.

Festivals, performances and active days

The Infiorata Artistica of Marineo is a cultural and religious tradition rooted in the area for more than 30 years, held in honour of Corpus Domini and celebrated along the Corso dei Mille. The Madunnuzza is celebrated on 8 September with pilgrimages and a local festival. The Dimostranza is a sacred-allegorical travelling performance by local actors in 21 scenes about the life of San Ciro. The Presepe Vivente recreates traditional rural life. On the first Sunday in October, the mountain-bike event Granfondo di MTB “dall’Eleutero a Rocca Busambra” takes place.

The Gole dello Stretto are a difficult and strenuous hike upstream along the Eleutero, beginning at the Ponte sullo Stretto bridge.

The indigenous city of Makella has been identified on the Montagnola of Marineo. The Museo Civico Nicola Barbato is a museum in the wider regional surroundings of Marineo.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Marineo, it is easy to define the desired focus of your holiday: Castello Beccadelli Bologna, Chiesa Madre, Convento Madonna della Dayna, museums and religious traditions represent culture; the Eleuterio Valley, Bosco di Ficuzza, Gole dello Stretto and Rocca Busambra represent landscape and activity.

For further travel planning, you can also visit Caltavuturo, Campofelice Di Roccella, Villafrati, Grisì, Bagheria, Parrini, Monreale and Petralia Sottana as additional destinations.

For the overarching travel overview: Palermo.