Fortress of Novara in Fondachelli Fantina

The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, the baroque of Noto, Palermo and ancient Taormina are some of the most iconic and evocative places in Sicily. Then there are others which, despite being far from the tourist routes, represent the most authentic face of the island and Fondachelli Fantina it's one of these.

It is a village literally absorbed in the spectacular nature that surrounds the Peloritani Mountains and Nebrodi Mountains, site at 604 m high: in the past the area was full of mines, which have now almost disappeared due to the continuous floods that inevitably marked the area.

In Fondachelli Fantina is the Fortress of Novara, one of the most scenic places in the area, excursion destination perfect to do at any time of the year.

The Fortress of Novara in Fondachelli Fantina: historical notes

Fondachelli Fantina links its name to a sad historical event dating back to 1862: the first days of September of this year, seven Garibaldian soldiers they were arrested and terribly killed by the 47th Infantry Regiment commanded by Giuseppe De Villata: their charge was desertion from the Royal Army. Their bodies were buried in the Church of Our Lady of Providence, while along the road there is a plaque that marks the exact spot where the barbaric murder took place.

La Rocca di Novara is close to 1340 meters in height, establishing itself as the second highest peak of the Peloritan Mountains and was declared Site of Community Interest: it has a curious pyramidal shape which has earned it the nickname of "Matterhorn of Sicily" and in the past it was almost a beacon for the sailors who sailed in the waters surrounding the Aeolian Islands: the Rocca di Novara is in fact visible from the sea but also from the Etna volcano. It has always been considered an important archaeoastronomical site from which it was possible to see, for the ancient prehistoric men, the alternation of the seasons.

La legend tells that a treasure is kept at the Rocca di Novara, watched over since time immemorial by a wise old man, whose profile is printed in a rock on the northern slope: only the woman who will be able to carry out a series of laborious activities in a single day will be able to take possession of this treasure, which could make the fortunes of Sicily.

The remains of ancient Noah and beyond

At its foot is a plateau with what are considered to be the remains of ancient Noah, the very first residential nucleus of Novara di Sicilia which, according to legend, was built in 2000 BC by the Cyclopes: today on the site there are the vestiges of theancient Castle, without forgetting the discovery of shards, amphorae, tiles and the remains of very ancient ceramics.
In top of the Rocca di Novara then there is a dark cross, destination of a suggestive pilgrimage which takes place every year on August 18th, followed by a mass right at the summit, with the view ranging from the Aeolian Islands to Tindari up to Milazzo, Etna and the Strait of Messina.

What to see around the Rocca di Novara in Fondachelli Fantina

After having climbed the Rocca di Novara, first crossing dense chestnut and pine woods, and then arriving in a more arid territory dotted with limestone rocks, it is possible to explore the surrounding area.
In Fondachelli Fantina nature reigns supreme and it is pleasant to discover it in every season, from spring which colors the area with bright colors to autumn, when walks in the woods to pick chestnuts and mushrooms are a must.
They are worth a visit Church of Our Lady of Providence to Fantina and the Cathedral of Novara of Sicily, just over 17 km away, where there is a crypt complete with sinister mummies of the archpriests: the stone niches and strainers linked to the mummification process are also visible. The church also houses 12 beautifully frescoed altars and a baptismal font made of cipollino marble.

How to get to the Rocca di Novara at Fondachelli Fantina

To reach Fondachelli Fantina and the nearby Rocca di Novara you have to travel, by car, the A18 Catania-Messina and exit at Giardini Naxos. Then continue along the SS185 and then on the SP97 until you reach the village.

© Image by Ephems, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons