Sortino offers a large variety of cultural attractions and it is well known for its ancient honey production.
Located between the Iblei mountains, close to the ancient necropolis of Pantalica, Sortino is a small medieval town, well known for its ancient honey production. This charming old village has many holy places of singular beauty. The church of the patron saint of Sortino, S.Sophia, is one of the most important churches of the village, built between 1701 and 1720 in the classic Baroque style. The Cathedral Church of St. John the Evangelist, is one of the most beautiful and unknown churches of Sicily, it was built between 1734 and 1759 by craftsmen of Palermo that created a sumptuous Baroque style. Visiting the village there are many other important buildings that deserve to be seen, including the Church of Saint Anthony and the College of St. Mary, the Church of the Holy Souls in Purgatory, the Convent of the Capuchin Friars Minor, the Church of St. Peter the Apostle and the Church of Montevergine which is considered a true gem of the Italian Baroque style.
Sortino offers a large variety of cultural attractions such as the Museum of Puppets, which shows the history and work of the puppeteer Don Ignazio Puglisi; here it is possible to find numerous sets, mannequins, weapons and especially beautiful puppets crafted in the early twentieth century, including “the Erminio gold star”, considered one of Sicily’s most beautiful puppets. The “House Fascitraru ro” (“House of Mielaio”) is one of the most important anthropological museums in the Province of Syracuse, it contains several tools used for the processing and storing of honey; you can find presses, hives, pots and containers all dating back to the nineteenth and early twentieth century. Finally, the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine, a small converted church used as an exhibition space for temporary exhibitions and cultural events.
Due to its massive production of honey, every year along the streets of Sortino they stage a Honey Festival where you can taste and discover delicious quality of honey as well as the popular royal jelly and lots typical local foods.
This ancient town is surrounded by a spectacular natural landscape. Thanks to the Riserva Naturale Orientata della Necropoli di Pantalica, Valle dell’Anapo and Torrente Cava Grande, it is one of the major naturalistic attraction of the Province of Siracuse, and was added to the Unesco list of “World Heritage Sites” in 2005. The reserve also includes the astonishing archaeological site of Pantalica which is considered the largest Necropolis in the world. It is the heart of the reserve and in addition to the many ruins and the numerous Sicilian tombs, it is a place bountiful in Mediterranean vegetation. The natural paths of this reserve are treacherous and only suited to climbing and trekking experts, in fact it is strictly recommended you visit this location during the spring or summer time, as after the winter storms the surfaces of the rocks can be slippery and disintegrate beneath your feet . In the surrounding area there are camps, barbecue areas and more relaxing treks.
People live here:
8.765
Typical Food:
Honey production
Le “Infigghiulate” buns stuffed with sweet ricotta, cinnamon and dried figs.
Dried tomatoes, eggplant, artichokes, courgettes , peppers and mushrooms jams
Attractions:
Rassegna delle Marionette (15 – 21/05), Puppets festival
Trofeo “Pantalica”, sport festival
Iblafest e “Cursa re Carrittetri” Cultural and Handmade festival
Sagra del Miele, food festival
Sagra del “Pizzolo ripieno” e dell’ “Infigghiulata”(October) Food Festival
The Carnival
How to get there:
By Car:
From Catania, Siracusa, Messina
Get on A 18 Catania – Siracusa – Gela exit “Sortino – Zona industriale”, then go ahead SP 193
From Palermo, Caltanissetta, Enna, Agrigento and Trapani
Get on A 19 Palermo – Catania exit “A 18 Tangenziale di Catania – Ragusa – Siracusa” then A 18 Catania – Siracusa – Gela exit “Sortino – Zona industriale” or “Melilli”;
From Gela and Ragusa
Get on SS 115 to Ragusa, A 18 Catania – Siracusa – Gela exit “Melilli” or “Sortino – Zona industriale”.
By Plane:
The nearest airport is Fontanarossa Airport of Catania
By Bus:
www.aziendasicilianatrasporti.it
Accommodations:
Pantalica Caranch
http://www.pantalicaranch.com/
Hyblon Hotel
Bed & Breakfast Sortino-Pantalica
Via Magenta, 1 SORTINO – Zona: Centro
Ph. +39 0931 954138 Mobile: +39 338 4752390
Sofia B&B
Via Regina Margherita, 162 Pantalica, Sortino, 96010 Sicilia
Mobile: +39 338 4908358
Restaurants:
Anaktoron Trattoria Pizzeria
Via Andrea Gurciullo, 40 Sortino
Ph. +39 0931 953676;
Pizzoleria
Pizzeria Monache
http://www.pizzeriamonache.it/
La Romantica Pizzeria Di Tuccio
Viale Mario Giardino 30, 96010 Sortino, Sicilia
Ph. +39 0931 956260
Pizzeria Pizzoleria “Nabila”
Via Santa Sofia, 19, 96010 Sortino SR
Ph. +39 0931 952722
Cammarata Sorto
Via Liberta 152, 96010 Sortino, Sicilia, Italia
Ph. +39 0931953924
Pizzeria la rotonda
via belice 3 Sortino, 96010 Sortino, Sicilia,
Mobile: +39 331 905 0573
La Castellina
http://www.lacastellinasortino.it/
Beaches:
Spiaggia Arenella
Cala Mosche
Vendicari Nature Reserve