The Romans called this land Vallis Aurea as this territory was fertile and Gallodoro was already an inhabited settlement since the Greek age.
This is what emerges from the finds found in that place near Naxos, the first Hellenic colony in Sicily, which scholars have hypothesized to be the city of Kallipolis.
The compelling story of Gallodoro a medieval village
The territory belonging to Gallodoro formerly housed the city of Bocena, as evidenced by the still existing necropolis.
Its origin is ancient and of Greek origin made up of the existing settlements in the districts of Sant'Anna and Margi.
The town of Gallodoro, located at about 380 meters above sea level which is possible to know today, is a village dating back to medieval times when, in the vicinity of the rural church of S. Teodoro Martire, a first nucleus of houses was formed.
The church was located in an area of passage between the lower and upper part of the Vallis Aurea, becoming, over time, the place of prayer of the community of Gallodoro. Gradually over the centuries, the urban fabric expanded assuming the singular configuration of a theater auditorium due to the houses leaning against each other and forming scenographies that allowed one to enjoy suggestive panoramas.
The history of Gallodoro can be implemented by the fact that since its birth up to the modern age, the town was part of the territory of Taormina even if there are documents that assign Gallodoro to Strategoth kingdom of Messina at least until the beginning of the fifteenth century when from then on, its territory was aggregated to the Secrezia of Taormina at least until 1634 when it was sold to the Royal Court of Donna Porzio of Messina. Since then and for a few centuries, the property changed hands until 1880 when it was transferred to the municipal seat of Letojanni.
At the turn of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, when Galloro was a fraction of it, it enjoyed both social and economic development with the construction of new palaces where the most important families of Letojanni went to live even if there was an obvious downsizing of the hilly centre.
The village is famous for its Banner dating back to the XNUMXth century and attributed to the Antonelliana school which represents the most precious work of art preserved in the Mother Church of the Assunta. Before the banners replaced the gonfalons in the function, these were used as processional insignia and that of Gallodoro belongs to the confraternity of the Santissimo Crocifisso.
To get to know the history of Gallodoro as well as this town
Tourists who want to get to know Gallodoro can only start their visit from the fourteenth century Mother Church of Santa Maria Assunta. Belonging to the Jesuits, the building was enlarged in the XNUMXth century and its peculiarity is that of hosting precious artistic works starting from the Gonfalone Antonelliano, the pride of the city.
The altarpiece on the altar depicts the Dormitio Virginis and the Coronation of the Virgin and attributable to Mittica da Messina who created the work at the beginning of the seventeenth century. The peculiarity of him is that it is certainly a counter-reformed painting presumably painted when the author practiced his apprenticeship as Catalan the Elder.
Even the sculptures present are worthy of a certain attention such as the pompous simulacrum of the Immaculate Conception dating back to the first half of the seventeenth century of which the author is unknown, and also all the bas-reliefs present on the high altar, the work of the local sculptor Lo Turco who represents the Stories of the Virgin.
After completing the visit to the Mother Church of Santa Maria Assunta it is suggested to reach the nearby church of Saint Sebastian of Gallodoro built in the XNUMXth century and today also the seat of the Parish Museum of Sacred Art.
Mirabile is a fresco from the Messina school dating back to the XNUMXth century which represents Jesus Christ between the Virgin and Saints. John the Baptist, Sebastian and Rocco. Interesting are both the seventeenth-century canvas The transit of San Giuseppe by an unknown author and the painting of the Madonna della Catena between SS. Rocco and Sebastiano where the background is represented by the village of Gallodoro.
Finally, it is advisable to conclude the visit by reaching the Belvedere di San Nicola where there are the remains of a small church officiating the Greek-Oriental rite dedicated to the saint.
Weather permitting, it is interesting to visit the numerous mills and millstones entirely dug out of the rock.
The folklore in Gallodoro
On the 16th of August Gallodoro sees the celebration of a religious ritual which has always been combined with a singular profane performance. The event is known under the name of Scecco Pazzo and is organized during the festivities of patron of the city, San Rocco.
Crazy fool, or crazy donkey, is an ancient local tradition which, however, is also celebrated in other small Sicilian towns.
The event takes place in the main street of the town and in the square in front of the Mother Church and consists of a person who, after wearing a papier-mâché harness depicting a donkey, walks through the main streets of the town chased by all the people who want to participate in the party.
The peculiarity is given by the fact that the donkey costume is completely covered with torches and fireworks which, obviously, are lit at the start, illuminating the race which is noisy thanks to the pyrotechnic games that explode among the stampede of the people.
As you can understand, Gallodoro is a destination to be included in any travel program for tourists staying in Sicily. The story of Gallodoro and the artistic evidence present they are very stimulating for all those who appreciate an experience with a strong cultural impact.
