Castello di Mola — Attraction in Castelmola

If with a single glance you can see both the Ionian coast, the monumental Etna, the Bay of Giardini-Naxos, the Cape of S.Alessio, the strait of Messina and the Calabrian coast, either you are on Google Maps or you are in Castelmola.

This small village above Taormina is a real genuine natural terrace built around the ruins of a Norman castle that, over time has assumed a concave and smooth shape, similar to that of a millstone (grindstone). Therefore, it is easy to guess the origin of the name. It is an instant contraction of “Castle” and “Mola”.

The Norman walls are all that remain of the fortress. A plaque from the tenth century with Greek-Byzantine engravings placed on the façade of the cathedral states: “This castle was built under Costantino, patrician and...

Castello di Mola is a village on a hilltop near Taormina. There is a bus there from Taormina, but you can also walk if you are fit. To walk take the stepped path out from Taormina to the Saracen castle (not open) and then follow the road. It is easy. There is no castle in Castello di Mola, but there is the remains of a monastery part of which is covered by scaffolding. The village is full of shops and places to eat and claims that it has a medieval charm is an exaggeration. The view of Mount Etna is magnificent on a clear day. Go to Castello di Mola for the walk, for the views and maybe for a bite to eat, but not for...

Sicilia, Taormina, and above the coast is Castel Mola, the local story tells that the name comes from it's shape, looks like a molar, "molaro", in italian. Lovely and wellcoming people, lovely shops and restaurants. I tryed an traditional vegetable Sicilian soup, amazing, traditional bruschetta at PIER de CAT Sicilian Bistro, great place, great, wellcoming host. Going around, looking for souvenirs, check for prices as it is different from a shop to another. Great view point as well, as you can see Etna, the ancient greek theatre down in Taormina, just to name few. Few pictures are from the opposite place, the ancient...