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The
villages of the Nebrodi opening themselves to tourism, in particular 'agritourism' offer a
wealth of art and tradition, with pictoresque patron feast days of great interest. In the
land between S. Fratello, Cesarò and Caronia, the sanfratellian horses gallop in numbers
of 3,500/3,800. They consist of a specific breed, that maybe derives from a cross between
Arab and Norman but that has particular characteristics.
In
Autumn the Mostra-mercato del Cavallo
Sanfratellano
(a horse show for this breed) is held and offers an interesting aspect linked to old
traditions and it's an occasion for a review of the comprehensive eco nomy of Nebrodi. The
villages in the district offer a lot of interest from the point of view of landscape, art
and tradition. We will remember only a few, underlining however that almost every centre
could boast incomparable attractions. Ficari (450 metres) in the northern Nebrodi, long
time feudal possession of the Lancia family, preserves in the chiesa Madre dell'Annunziata
a polyptych of the 16th century, once attributed to the school of Antonello and today
considered the work of the Master of polyptych of Castroreale, and Gaginesque sculpture.
Of notable interest are also the ruins of a convent of Minori Osservanti (1522).
Montalbano Elicona (900 metres) is situated in the northem Nebrodi, to the north west of
Monte Seggio. Founded around the 10th century, it was a long time feudal possession of
noble families. Characterised by a typically medieval design it has a noteworthy Castello
Aragonese (14th century) recently restored and site of cultural exhibitions. The main
source of income is sheep farming and small alimentary activities of transformation;
recently it has seen the founding of a new bottling plant for the local mineral water. On
the 24th August the festa patronale della Madonna della Provvidenza is held, with
picturesque folkloric displays. At S. Fratello (675 metres) in the northern Nebrodi,
between the Furioso and Inganno streams, the festa dei Giudei is held, during which the
inhabitants wear red clothes with big masks on their faces. S. Marco d'Alunzio (548
metres), in the northern Nebrodi, is important for the chiesa di S. Marco, which was
realised with the transformation of the Tempio di Ercole.
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Between
Frazzanò and Mirto, in the northern Nebrodi, one can admire the Monastero di S. Filippo
di Fitalia of the 11 th century. At S. Salvatore di Fitalia (618 metres) one admires the
churches of SS. Salvatore of Norman foundations and that of S. Maria with scuptures by
Antonello Gagini, as well as the Santuario di S. Calogero, centre for the faithful on the
festival occasion of 20th August. Mistretta (900 metres) in the western Nebrodi near the
Monte Castelli, has important medieval and baroque churches and interesting buildings. On
the 8th September the festa della Madonna takes place with the display of the giganti,
that recalls the Messines tradition of Mata and Grifone. Roccella Valdemone (812 metres)
in the eastern Nebrodi, has the custody in its churches of sculptures by Giacomo Gagini
(16th century) and is today a site of lively rustic tourism.
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