Our Excursion begins in Castelbuono, a small medieval town that dates to the 14th Century in the Madonie Mountains in the Province of Palermo. First we will head to the Castello del Buon Aere (original name, meaning Castle of Good Air). In 1316, according to legend, Count Francesco I of Ventimiglia saw the beautiful landscape as the perfect location to build a castle for his family. However, historians believe it was likely built for defensive purposes. Our tour of the castle will reveal its many Arab-Norman architectural features.
Of special significance is the Cappella Palatina, an exquisite chapel built in 1683 and containing the relics of the skull of Saint Anne (the mother of the Madona and the protector of women). Saint Anne is also the town’s patron saint. After touring the Castle, we will visit the Museo Civico to see the town’s collections of religious, archaeological, and contemporary art. If time permits, we will visit the lovely Chiesa Maria SS. Assunta – Matrice Vecchia. At the end of our visit, we will stroll to a local cafe for a tasting of Fiasconaro pastries and some local liqueurs (limoncello, madarinello, prickly pears, etc).