Petralia Sottana

Petralia Sottana (Sicilian: Pitralìa Suttana) is a town of 2400 people (2023) within the Madonie Natural Regional Park in the Province of Palermo, on the island of Sicily.

Get in

By car

Petralia Sottana is a 1 hour and 20 minute drive from the city of Palermo.

Arriving from Palermo, take the A19, and then the A20 Tremonzelli exit and follow the direction of Castellana Sicula, pass it and continue until Petralia on SS120.

Arriving from Catania on the Irosa A20 exit, follow the signs to Quartiere Vizzini and here take the northbound direction (Fasano) and at the Madonnuzza crossroads turn left for Petralia Sottana on SP11 SS120.

Get around

All parts of the town are easily accessed by foot.

See

• 1 Antonio Collisani Civic Museum (Museo Civico Etno-Antropologico Petralese), Corso Paola Agliata, 104. Housed in a former Franciscan convent, the museum consists of a geological collection and an archaeological section, which houses the remains of the Collisani collection. 

Basilica di Maria SS. Assunta

• 2 Basilica di Maria SS. Assunta (Chiesa Madre (Mother Church)), Piazza Umberto I. The main church in the village, commonly referred to as the "Madrice", was built on the site of an ancient temple. The current structure, with three naves and a basilica, was built between 1632 and 1790, together with the adjacent bell tower of white stone with a pointed arch culvert. The Church has a remarkable "treasure", including works of gold and silver, baroque and neoclassical objects and an interesting and ancient archive, which has been reorganized and made available.  

Chiesa di San Francesco

• 3 Church of St. Francis of Assisi (Chiesa di San Francesco), Corso Paola Agliata, 114. Founded, together with the adjoining convent (now the museum), in the 15th century, the church's current form dates back to the 17th century. The church is adorned with precious Baroque frescoes, and houses paintings by Zoppo di Gangi and the Novelli school, as well as a valuable Baroque pulpit in gilded wood. 

Chiesa della SS. Trinità

• 4 Chiesa della SS. Trinità (Church of the Holy Trinity (Badia)), Via Monastero. Built in 1531 along with the adjoining convent of the Dominican Sisters of Clausura (now Institute of Science), the church has a large marble bust of Giandomenico Gagini, as well as paintings by Visalli and D'Antona, and a rare Baroque organ.  

Chiesa di Santa Maria alla fontana

• 5 Church of Santa Maria alla Fontana (Chiesa di Santa Maria alla fontana), Via Paolo Agliata 85. The church of Santa Maria alla Fontana was built in the seventeenth century, probably on the site of a former mosque. It houses fine sculptures and paintings of the 17th-century Sicilian school. Near the building lies a water source, which is essential for the ablutions prescribed by the Koran. Until the early 900s, the fountain fed into a large semi-circular fountain with four water outlets, which gave rise to the name of the church. The original fountain has since been replaced by two small fountains with a cup mask on both sides of a war memorial. 

Do

• 1 Piano Battaglia. A town at an altitude of 1500 m, known during the winter season for its ski fields and ski lifts. (updated Nov 2024)

Eat

Il Castello, Via G. Di Maria 27. Great pizza and pasta, amongst other local style mains. Extensive wine cellar.

Drink

La Terrazza Di Albanese Daniela, Piazza Umberto I. Great little bar with a good selection of drinks and light snacks. Next to a beautiful 17th century church and overlooking an immense valley, over medieval rooftops. One of the most amazing views at sunset that you'll find anywhere.

Sleep

Il Castello, Via G. Di Maria 27. Fantastic rustically decorated hotel and restaurant built on the remains of the village's castle. Very comfortable and reasonably priced. Try the restaurant for great local specialties and pizza.