Castelmola (Messina Province) is 55km from Messina, alt. 529 m, in the southern Peloritani, on the ridge stretching southeast into the Ionian Sea and terminating at Capo Taormina, area 16.4 sq km, pop. 1,113, post-code 98030, tel. 0942. Agricultural economy: citrus fruit, prickly pears, olives, grapes.
Founded by the Sicels in the 8th century BC, it was destroyed, together with Taormina, by Dionysius in 392 BC. Rebuilt in 350 BC and again destroyed by the Arabs in 902. In feudal times it belonged successively to the Marullo, Castello and Villadicane families.
The castle, or what remains of it, stands on a good strategic position, protecting the little town and the surrounding countryside; it was built in the Middle Ages and was considerably altered in the 16th century. In the lower part of Castelmola, in Piazza Sant' Antonio, is the 17th century Chiesa di San Giorgio.
Excursions: On the road from Taormina to Castelmola it's interesting to visit the Badia Vecchia, a fortified square-plan building of Norman Age, much altered during the successive centuries. Climbing from Castelmola up the slopes of Monte Tauro, we come to the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Rocca, and higher still to the medieval Castle. Proceeding still further we reach colonnazzo di Mola, a rocky area where some 10th-8th century BC rock-cut tombs have been discovered.
Churches (Messina Diocese) include the following:
Links to other sites about Castelmola include:
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