The Via dei Frati in San Cataldo, Sicily, is an earthly journey, which takes inspiration from the spiritual experiences of monks and friars along the route that connects Caltanissetta and Cefalù.
In total, it is 201 km of road, including roads that lead to religious places or immersed in the greenery of nature, climbing the mountains or crossing the fields, the Via dei Frati in Sicily was thelast Italian stage on the great journey headed to Holy Sepulcher of the monks and friars in the past.
What is there to discover today, during this earthly journey, which however still has so much spiritual in it?
From Caltanissetta to the Holy Sepulchre: the Via dei Frati
In past centuries, a road started from Caltanissetta, in the heart of Sicily, which after 160 km led to Cefalù: from here, the pilgrim friars reached Messina, to embark for Jerusalem, where they went to adoration of the Holy Sepulchre.
In the third millennium, the ancient route of the Via dei Frati in San Cataldo was rediscovered and since 2017 it has been possible to follow the 166 km of path, which connects Caltanissetta to Cefalù: it is a path that crosses the Madonie Park and consists of 8 main stages along the way; some sections of the route reach the incredible peaks of the park, around 1700 meters high. Furthermore, there are alternative paths, such as Mines stage, which starts right from San Cataldo. If we consider all the roads that can be traveled on along the way, the Via dei Frati reaches an extension of 201 km.
Today, those who wish to travel the entire route can do so with a journey lasting an average of 8 days, of medium-high difficulty.
The stages along the Via dei Frati in Sicily
Opening the Via dei Frati in Sicily is the route that goes from Caltanissetta in Marianopoli, for a total of approximately 24 km. Structures and infrastructures that join the Via project are specially marked in the center and along the road. From Marianopoli, with a 23 km journey, yes reaches Resuttano. From here, the third stage is another 23 km away, up to Polizzi Generosa. Petralia Sottana, 18 km away, it is the fourth stage, to then reach Gangi with a shorter journey, of around 15 km. The fifth stop is scheduled at Geraci Siculo, after a stretch of 13 km, until reaching Castelbuono, penultimate stage of the Via dei Frati, about 22 km. Cefalù, which closes the route, is 26 km away.
In addition to the variant on the route starting in San Cataldo, it is possible to travel the winter stages, which reduce the routes of three of the 8 stages to approximately 8 km each way.
What to see during the walk
Whoever wishes to accomplish this spiritual path, you will also be able to appreciate some stops in the village during the entire journey. So we advise you to stop in some of the centers touched by the Via dei Frati, perhaps lengthening the journey a little, but thus also managing to see some monuments, works of art and beauties that would otherwise be difficult to discover.
In Caltanissetta, there are sacred buildings such as the Cathedral, the Church of Sant'Agata al Collegio and the Norman Abbey of Santo Spirito; worth seeing with a short stop in Marianopoli, instead you will find the Mother Church of San Prospero and the Marianopoli Museum.
In Resuttano you can visit some churches and the Castle, before leaving for Polizzi, where stopping you will find the beautiful XNUMXth century Church of Santa Maria Assunta.
Petralia Sottana welcomes you with the Basilica of Maria Santissima Assunta and the Badia della Santissima Trinità, but there are many other beauties in the centre.
If in Gangi you come across the wonderful Civic Tower next to the Mother Church, walking through the alleys, you will also reach the many churches and buildings of the village.
The last three stages of the Via dei Frati in Sicily are Geraci Siculo, where you can admire the Bevaio della Santissima Trinità, Castelbuono to be discovered between the Castle, the Matrice Vecchia and the Matrice Nuova and, finally, Cefalù overlooking the sea, with the beautiful Cathedral of the Transfiguration and all the other wonders of the town, which are scattered between the small port and the hills.
Deserves a separate mention village of San Cataldo, to reach if you want to discover a variant of the route: here in the centre, reach the Monumental complex of the Calvary and the beautiful Civic Clock Tower, which you will find next to Church of the Most Holy Rosary. Among the civil buildings that have marked the history of the city we find, instead, the Galletti Palace, noble residence of the Galletti family.
How to reach Via dei Frati in San Cataldo
Finding the Via dei Frati in Sicily is easy from San Cataldo, in fact you can get to the town either by car or by train.
About travel by car, will be able to travel along the A19 Palermo-Catania, up to the exit for Caltanissetta, while those arriving on the train, you will have to get off at Caltanissetta Centrale Station. In both cases, you can reach Via dei Frati, both from the initial stage of Caltanissetta and from the San Cataldo variant.
