The incredible legend of Pietra Zita in Sant'Angelo di Brolo

It was in fact the 1500s, when the Upper Coniglione Valley, infested by brigands, passed from history to legend for the abduction of a young girl. The girl, who was on her way to her wedding, was kidnapped and threatened by bandits, but resisting the threats of the leader of the bandits, she was killed near the caves found in the valley. Here, at the foot of a large boulder, the young woman was condemned by the brigand to protect a hidden treasure with her own blood.

Il big boulder was called Zita stone, the engagement stone, but the incredible robbery of the brigands was never found, perhaps because it was kept by the spirit of the girl or perhaps because it was lost in the legend…

What we know for sure is that the boulder really exists and perhaps the treasure of Pietra Zita, searched for centuries in the woods of the valley, is actually hidden in the village, in Sant'Angelo di Brolo.

The treasure map of Pietra Zita

The amazing legend of Pietra Zita in Sant'Angelo di Brolo he talks about the robbery of brigands, but there is another great treasure that is there for all to see: the artistic heritage kept in the town, the Cathedral of Santa Maria, the numerous and ancient churches of the village, the Castle of Piano Croce, the mills and other buildings of Brolo. To find this treasure, just travel the 6,6 km that separate Pietra Zita from Sant'Angelo, in a north-eastern direction.

Upon entering the town, the Parish of Santa Maria it is located on the square of the same name and is a XNUMXth century building, while the Monastery of San Michele Arcangelo, which stands out in the Valley with its tall bell tower; the Church was built in 1084 by Count Ruggero and today only the beautiful Cloister remains of the original building, but you can also visit the remains of the Church, which collapsed in 1923.

Among the other sacred buildings of the village, in Via Garibaldi you will find the seventeenth-century Church of Saints Philip and James, as beautiful on the outside as it is full of works of art on the inside. Walking through the centre, you can discover the other churches and also the historic buildings of Sant'Angelo, as well as the monument to the fallen of the village in the First World War.

Heading towards the northern coast of the island, just 15 km from the center of Sant'Angelo di Brolo you will find the fraction of Piano Croce, where the Saracen Tower which accompanies the Medieval castle complex, dating back to the XII century.

Discover the history of Sant'Angelo di Brolo through the legend

In a town of ancient origins like Sant'Angelo di Brolo, a legend is hidden under every stone: among the ruins of Monastery of San Michele Arcangelo, still hovers the myth of Count Ruggero d'Altavilla which, as he narrates the legend, had the Monastery built following the apparition of Saint Michael, invoked in battle. Behind this legend we read the story of the conflict between the Normans and the Saracens in Sicily in the XNUMXth century; in addition to the incredible legend of Pietra Zita in Sant'Angelo di Brolo and the legend of the Battle of Altavilla, the story of the myth of Frank, the story of a slave shot for having extracted gold from the land on which mulberry was grown to produce the silkworm, a source of wealth for the area of ​​San Giuseppe, near the current Franco's ditch.

Behind the legends of Sant'Angelo di Brolo, which tell of treasures and victories, hides the glorious history of a land to be rediscovered.

Discover Sant'Angelo di Brolo: between culture and traditions

The incredible legend of Pietra Zita in Sant'Angelo di Brolo attracts numerous treasure seekers to the town, but also tourists who, intrigued by the search for fantastic loot, actually find a treasure made of art, history, culture and traditions.

In fact, in addition to the sacred buildings and historic palaces, in Sant'Angelo di Brolo there are also museums and clubs where you can restore body and soul.

Il Museum of Sacred Art is located in the Church of the Holy Saviour, not far from Piazza Santa Maria: here, in addition to admiring the architectural beauty of the sixteenth-century church, you can discover the richness of the furnishings and sacred vestments starting from the fifteenth century.

Il Museum of Angels it is found in the Cloister of the former Convent of San Francesco, in via I Settembre, in the southern area of ​​the village. Here you can admire numerous canvases by contemporary artists, which portray celestial creatures and find out everything about angels by consulting the studies on angelology held in the centre.

An important part of the culture of each country is linked to the cuisine and this is all the more true in a land like Sicily, where thanks to 0 km products and traditional popular recipes, every dish served on the table is a real work of art. 'art. To get to know all the flavors of Brolo, reserve a table in the best local restaurants, trattorias and pizzerias, where you can taste quality cured meats such as the famous Sant'Angelo di Brolo salami, fresh pasta alla Norma, as well as meat, fish and vegetables ; each meal ends with local sweets and liqueurs and you will often have the opportunity to buy products to take back home.

How to get to Sant'Angelo di Brolo

The incredible legend of Pietra Zita in Brolo will lead you to discover Sant'Angelo, about 314 meters above sea level, in the Metropolitan City of Messina.

Reaching the village to find the hidden treasures of Brolo is easy, both by car and by train.

Visitors arriving in the car, they can take the A20 Messina-Buonfornello up to the exit for Brolo-Capo d'Orlando east, about 5 km from the village; who prefer the train, you can get off at Patti-S. Piero Patti, where he will find waiting for him bus and shuttles, to continue the journey of about 8 km to the centre.

Are you ready to enter the legend?