Giorginaro water mill in Novara di Sicilia

Between the Peloritani and the Nebrodi, at an altitude of 500 meters with a dream panorama that sweeps over the Tyrrhenian Sea, the village of Novara di Sicilia is famous not only because it was entirely built in sandstone carved by excellent stonemasons but also because it includes the ancient Giorginaro mill which, despite the passage of time, still works perfectly.
It was part of a nucleus made up of 16 mills all connected to each other that used the same water as a stream that runs through the village until the summer when it dries up due to the heat.

today Water mill in Novara di Sicilia – the only watermill with horizontal wheel still functioning - has become an attraction capable of attracting a few thousand visitors a year who, thanks to the owners who still grind ancient grains local, take a real step back in time.

History of the Giorginaro water mill in Novara di Sicilia

A long time the San Giorgio creek, in Novara di Sicilia, there were several mills that ground the grain thanks to the force of the water of a stream which, except during the hottest season, crossed its inhabited centre.

Of all these structures, the Giorginaro mill with horizontal wheel is still perfectly functional also thanks to a restoration that took place in 2001 but which has not distorted the gears of the past.
Subjected to Ethno-Anthropological constraint by the Messina Superintendency of the BB.CC.AA. as dating back to the end of the seventeenth century, the water mill of Novara di Sicilia also houses a small museum where objects attributable to the peasant equipment era.

The family that owns the Giorginaro mill has strongly wanted it to return to its former glory and continue to produce flour from ancient grains premises, so much so that the necessary restoration was carried out which brought the mill back to life with the use of natural stone millstones such as the La Fertè stone of French origin and dating back to the XNUMXth century. In the specific case this is combined with a millstone in natural stone of local origin. This mix of tools allows a cold grinding that prohibits the grain of wheat from heating up and, above all, to prohibit the squeezing of the essential oils contained within it which are harbingers of an early rancidity of the flour.

Il Giorginaro mill in Novara di Sicilia it is a real Slow presidium and this can be understood from the very small quantity of flour ground in an hour ranging from 12 to 20 kilograms.

Architecture of the water mill in Novara di Sicilia

The water mill in Novara di Sicilia dates back to about a couple of centuries after the village was built, which happened between the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries and what is striking is that the building, near the center of the village, is framed by a nice garden which is essential in the summer to beat the heat. From this natural oasis composed of fig trees, Nero d'Avola vines, prickly pears and kiwis, you enter the ancient stone building where the real mill is located which, due to the force produced by the water from the stream that crosses Novara di Sicilia, and activated thanks to the removal of a brake, naturally produces that energy which is necessary to move the horizontal wheel of the millstone with which the grains of wheat are crushed until they are reduced to flour.

In terms of architecture, there isn't much to say except that the building is a typical house in local stone with a massive and reassuring appearance. Inside, the owners have created a museum area where objects of common and rural use belonging to the past are exhibited and which help to create a special atmosphere that takes the visitor back in time.

What you can do around the Giorginaro water mill in Novara di Siciliana

After visiting the Giorginaro water mill, you can dedicate yourself to visiting the other attractions of this small ancient village starting from its Castle.

Il Castle of Novara of Sicily it was fortified in the thirteenth century at the behest of Ruggero di Lauria who, almost certainly, had a pre-existing Saracen watchtower modified,
After the expansion that took place during the Norman domination in Sicily, a colony of French and Christian Lombards arrived at the castle, to whom we owe the Gallo-Italic imprint present in the Novarese dialect.
Unfortunately, only one of the four existing towers remains of the former keep, which bears witness to the strategic importance that the Castle must have had.

Another destination not to be missed is the fifteenth century Duomo which, although modified and restored several times in the past, shows all its beauty. Dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, the cathedral was built where there was already a small church even before the fifteenth century. Inside it is possible to admire various works of art such as the painting by Catalano, Lo Spasimo which is located in the apse of the high altar. Also interesting is the painting dedicated to Sant'Anna by the Neapolitan Nunzio Rossi, the Wax Child by Sister Maria Teresa Fontana and the statue of the Madonna Assunta which is carried in procession through the streets of the village every 15th August.

How is it possible to get to the Giorginaro water mill in Novara di Sicilia

By car:, from the Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto motorway junction (Km. 30); from the Falcone motorway junction (Km. 20); from the Giardini-Naxos motorway junction (Km. 50).