Almond Museum of Avola

Avola is one of the most beautiful Sicilian villages and overlooks the Gulf of Noto, along the east coast of the island: the town, della Province of Syracuse, is appreciated for its historical heritage, having very ancient origins dating back to the XII BC, but above all for the culinary excellence, so as to make it an unmissable stop for all those who want to experience a true sensory journey between flavors and aromas.

History of the Avola Almond Museum

There are many places to see in Avola and the Almond Museum and Avolese products it is certainly one of these, a symbol of the industriousness of a community which, in fact, has three industrious bees in its coat of arms.
The museum is located inside the nineteenth century Rametta farmhouse, which later became a multipurpose center named after Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino: it was created thanks to the initiative and joint collaboration of the Pro Loco, the Municipality and above all the Consortium for the Protection of the Avola almond.
The purpose of this initiative is to rediscover the agricultural traditions of the village and the organoleptic characteristics of its family members typical products, from Nero d'Avola wine to the almond up to sugar cane.

In fact, not everyone knows that sugar cane was imported into Sicily by the Arabs for the production of rum, but its cultivation was abandoned due to the island's too dry climate.
La almond from Avola it is the real pride of the town and its processing is very ancient: in the past the whole family was involved in the harvesting and processing process, from men to women and children, who shelled the almonds and dried the fruits on the street, even sleeping close to the crop to avoid theft.

What to see in the Avola Almond Museum

The Avola Almond Museum includes a exhibition field where the visitor can wander between Femminello lemon trees, vineyards from which it is produced Nero d'Avola, sugar canes and especially almond trees of the Romana variety, Fascionello and Pizzuta.

The various illustrations help guests understand the organoleptic characteristics of these typical products, preparing for the tasting that will take place with the Cooking Demos, with almond milk, sugared almonds and biscuits made at the moment ready to be savored.
Il oil mill and the millstone host photos and reproductions of the environments related to the processing of olive oil, wine and almonds: you can see the machinery used for the calibration and shelling of the fruits and also a pan made of copper used for the preparation of sugared almonds with Avola almonds, as well as period photos and an old wooden table where the family used to work these gems of nature sat.

What to do and see around the Almond Museum in Avola

The Almond Museum of Avola is located near the Pantanello beach, in Viale La Pira, a stone's throw from the beautiful historic center of the town, built on a hexagonal plan and with an elegant Renaissance style.

Piazza Umberto I is there main square of Avola and you overlook the Palazzo Pignatelli , Church of San Nicolò, inside which works of great value are kept, including paintings and statues from the 700th century. Equally beautiful they present themselves there Church of Santa Venera patroness of Avola, Church of St. John the Baptist, with Corinthian columns and neoclassical decorations inside and the Church of San Antonio Abate where a plaster and wood statue depicting Christ at the Column is kept.

After a walk in Avola, among civil buildings such as the Ducal Palace with the 800th century Clock Tower and the magnificent Lutri Palace in Baroque style, we recommend a visit to archaeological sites as the early Christian hypogea and a Roman domus from the XNUMXnd century BC located near the beautiful promenade of Marina di Avola.

How to get to the Almond Museum of Avola

To visit the Almond Museum you need to reach Avola and you can do it by car: from Syracuse it is necessary to take the SS115 coast road or the E45 Catania-Syracuse motorway.
From Palermo, on the other hand, you have to take the SS113 in the direction of Cefalù, turning onto the A19 towards Catania, from which you can then reach Syracuse and then Avola via the E45.