Sortino nestled between valleys and limpid streams represents a well-known tourist resort, It only takes this strip of Sicilian land to evoke 40 centuries of memories and take us back to the dawn of Sicilian origins with the vision of the Necropolis of Pantalica, its caves and burial cells that constitute one of the oldest examples of urban community. Sortino is a town rich in history, and it is evident from the archaeological remains of which the area is full. The town before the 1693 earthquake stood on the coast above the Guccione River, currently there are many medieval paths that connect today’s Sortino to the “Diruta” medieval town, in which the following can still be visited: rock mills and millstones, tanneries, troglodyte dwellings, rock churches, all carved out of the impermeable Iblean limestone. Reconstruction took place on the hill above and enriched the town with fine Art Nouveau buildings and wonderful Baroque churches: the Basilica of St. Sophia, the Mother Church, a national monument, and the Church of the Monastery of Montevergini. Among the most authentic traditions are the production of honey and pizzolo a durum wheat flatbread stuffed with vegetables or meat, a true gastronomic delicacy appreciated throughout the region. The centuries-long history and socio-cultural evolution as well as the traditions of the people are documented by a visit to the fine museums that, with careful and judicious conservation work, trace the human journey of this bright town. There are four museums that illustrate its history: The Antiquarium of the Middle Ages is located in the former Convent of the Carmine, and offers inside a chronological itinerary that ranges from the prehistoric Pantalica, with 63 pieces from the archaeological excavations of the largest Sicilian Necropolis in Europe, to the medieval artifacts of Sortino diruta due to the 1693 earthquake. The exhibition is complemented by the rich ethnoanthropological collection of the Bruno Family. Among the most authentic traditions is the production of honey, the nostalgic vision of which can be savored in the “Casa Museo dell’apicoltura tradizionale ” ‘a Casa ro Fascitraru,” an authentic workshop where one can admire beehives, bellied jars and a honey press for extracting honeycombs. Another tradition typical is that related to Sicilian puppets, with a visit to the “Civic Museum of the Puppet Opera” consisting of the collection of the last Prince of puppeteers, Don Ignazio Puglisi. Finally, a visit to the Rio Family’s permanent exhibition of the cart, which pays tribute to the production of the master cart-makers by displaying a prestigious collection of authentic Sicilian carts. Of great value are the two carts by Lorenzo Sardo of Sortino, the last carradore (carritteri) of Sortino. The visit to Sortino is completed with a taste of “pizzolo,” or a hard wheat focaccia stuffed with vegetables or meat, a true gastronomic delicacy appreciated throughout the region.
Program
9:30 a.m. tour of historic center
11:30 a.m. visit to a museum of your choice (Antiquarium of the Middle Ages – Rio Sicilian Cart Exhibition – Museum of the Puppet Opera – House Museum of Beekeeping)
1:30 p.m. – tasting of typical products
Cost 1/2 day – City Tour, Museum and Tasting
4 to 15 people – total of €297.00 + VAT
over 15 people add €18.00 more per person each.
