The province of Ragusa is one of the most enchanting areas of Sicily, in fact here are some of the most beautiful villages in Sicily, including Modica, Ispica, Chiaramonte Gulfi and Monterosso Almo.
This last town is located at 700 m. approximately high, right in the heart of the Iblei Mountains and, as happened for other countries, it was totally rebuilt following the earthquake of 1693, one of the most devastating seismic events that hit Sicily.
Village of Monterosso Almo: what to see
Monterosso Almo is a town born on an area inhabited since ancient times and the Hypogeum of Calaforno is there to prove it. This site was discovered in the 60s and seems to be linked to the ancient civilization of the Sicilians: scholars think that this underground environment has had various uses, i.e. home, sepulcher and refuge used by Christians during the persecutions in Roman times.
The presence of the Byzantines is instead testified by the magnificent ones Caves of the Saints, located along the road that connects Vizzini to Monterosso. Inside these cavities the remains of frescoes of the clear Byzantine school have been found.
One of the families that governed Monterosso Almo is that of the Altavillas, who were followed by the dominion of Enrico Rosso. This count, following the union with the daughter of Federico Chiaramonte, managed to incorporate the town into the County of Modica: the arrival of Bernardo Cabrera brought the town to ruin. The definite rebirth of Monterosso Almo took place after the earthquake of 1693, when it was rebuilt from the ground up assuming the aspect that everyone can admire today.
The heart of the city is Piazza San Giovanni, pleasantly called “u chianu” as a flat area nestled between the lower and upper parts of the village. Here it overlooks the Church of St. John the Baptist, one of the very few buildings that remained almost unscathed after the earthquake. The staircase embellishes a monumental façade with three orders, flanked by a soaring bell tower: inside, between the three naves, valuable works are kept, including the statue of S. Maria dei Pericoli, created in 1741 by Cultraro, an artist from Ragusa .
In Piazza San Giovanni there are many noble buildings present, built between the 700th and 800th centuries and among these the Palazzo Cocuzza, today seat of the Civic Museum, the Sardinian palace and Palace of the Barons Noto.
Walking through the streets of Monterosso Almo you come across other palaces that certainly strike the visitor: think, for example, of the beautiful Zacco Palace, whose Baroque style can be admired, complete with balconies decorated with shelves with grotesque figures.
Discovering Monterosso Almo, between churches and gastronomic specialities
Monterosso Almo is a town full of churches and among these it is worth a visit Mother Church of S. Maria Assunta: the building, declared a National Monument, has an unmistakable ashlar facade built in the Gothic style in the 400th century. It has three naves inside and houses two splendid stoups made in the distant XNUMXth century and a wooden crucifix from the XNUMXs.
Also the Church of Sant'Antonio it is a National Monument and shows inside a series of canvases and a magnificent altarpiece where the Madonna del Carmelo, the baptism of King Constantine and the martyrdom of San Lorenzo are depicted.
Monterosso Almo and its gastronomy
After visiting Monterosso Almo far and wide, we recommend a rest stop in one of the many restaurants in the village, to discover the gastronomic heritage local.
Among the typical features of Monterosso Almo are the homemade bread, to which the Bread Festival: the presence of stands allows visitors to taste it with a pinch of salt, extra virgin olive oil, caciocavallo and capuliato (a special condiment based on dried tomatoes). Also unmissable Festival of Cavatieddi, dedicated to cavatelli (fresh handmade pasta topped with sauce) and enlivened by captivating music and dancing. To taste is then the almond cuve, whose particularity is the extremely sweet taste with evident vanilla notes, given thanks to the volcanic soils that surround the almond grove located at 700 m. high, in the shadow of Monte Lauro.
History, art and good food: these are the reasons why you cannot fail to spend a day in Monterosso Almo, a charming town that is capable of leaving a pleasant memory in all those who decide to visit it.
© Image by Catarella, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
