Located on a hill situated on the northern side of Etna, in the middle of the Valley of the river Alcantara, Castigghiuni (in Sicilian dialect) has its origins in the Bronze Age. It is said that when the Greeks arrived in Sicily (in about 750 BC), going up this valley they found themselves in front of the village of Castiglionesi: Castel Leone. They built the fortress, dug into the rock, and now called Castle Lauria, from the last feudal lord who occupied the city): a fortified lookout point to control the only access road inland Sicily. In the thirteenth century under Norman rule, it reached its peak, with the construction of the walls and the Cannizzo (U ‘Cannizzo), a lookout tower located at one end of the village, which is said to have been even split in two by lightning. Still today it is possible to admire it in its suggestive position and frame: sandstone caves under it, the village behind it. From here you can dominate the entire Alcantara valley.
In addition to the fortress and Cannizzo, it is worth visiting the Church of Santa Domenica, near Castiglione, perhaps the most important Byzantine cube in Sicily (about VII century). Testimony of the various cultures that alternated in the dominion of the city (not only Greeks and Normans, but also Romans, Arabs and Swabians) are still reflected in local traditions, which do not fail to fascinate the visitor.
The local traditions materialize through the numerous festivals and local feasts that animate Castiglione and the whole Alcantara Valley. Such as the Feast of the Madonna della Catena, which is celebrated on the first Sunday of May. Near the 10th of August there is the traditional gastronomic festival with the tasting of the typical products of the place, among which some unique wines, such as Nerello Mascalese and Carricante.
