On 10 and 11 May 2025, the Borghi dei Tesori Fest transforms the ‘Most Beautiful Village in Italy’ of Petralia Soprana into an open-air stage of art, history, authentic flavours and unforgettable experiences.
PETRALIA SOPRANA (Sicily) – Imagine a place where time seems to flow at a different pace, marked by the breath of history and the majesty of nature. Perched like an eagle’s nest at an altitude of 1,147 metres, Petralia Soprana is not only one of the highest and most evocative villages in Sicily, but a veritable treasure chest of beauty, officially recognised in 2018 as the ‘Most Beautiful Village in Italy’. This jewel set in the Madonie Park, with its cobbled streets, centuries-old churches and squares opening onto breathtaking views, is preparing to welcome visitors for an exceptional event: the Borghi dei Tesori Fest, promoted by the renowned Le Vie dei Tesori Foundation.
On Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May 2025, Petralia Soprana will become the beating heart of the spring edition of this acclaimed festival, offering a unique opportunity to be totally immersed in its authentic charm. Not a simple tourist visit, but a multi-sensory experience designed to reveal the deepest soul of this territory, enhancing its cultural, artistic, historical and, last but not least, gastronomic identity. Get ready for a weekend full of discoveries, where every corner tells a story and every flavour evokes age-old traditions.
Petralia Soprana A Journey among Noble Palaces and Keepers of Memory
The festival opens the doors of Petralia Soprana’s most significant places, usually inaccessible or only partially visitable. The heart of the village, the historic Piazza del Popolo, will be the fulcrum, dominated by the imposing Palazzo Pottino. Crossing the threshold of this 19th-century building means stepping back in time, among frescoed salons that tell of past splendours and noble families.
Inside, there is another gem: Damiano Macaluso’s permanent photographic exhibition dedicated to Frate Umile Pintorno, one of the greatest Sicilian sculptors of the late Baroque period, who was born right here in Petralia. His works, scattered in various Sicilian churches, find here a visual celebration that traces his life and art.
The same square is overlooked by the Palazzo Comunale, now the town hall but originally a Carmelite convent. Its austere architecture conceals centuries of history and transformations, bearing witness to the cultural stratification of the village.
For lovers of books and contemplative tranquillity, the Frate Umile Library is a must-see. Housed in the former convent of the Minor Reformed Fathers (dating back to 1611) and later converted into a hospital in the last century, it preserves collections of precious and ancient volumes, a paper heritage that recounts centuries of knowledge and faith. The very atmosphere of the place invites reflection and discovery.
To complete the cultural picture, the Museo Civico della Memoria e del Presente offers a touching insight into the daily life and traditions of the area. Through a curated collection of rare rural objects, work tools, period photographs and oral testimonies, the museum reconstructs the Sopranese rural identity, preserving the collective memory and linking it to the present.
Visits to these treasures will take place on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with shifts organised every hour to ensure a smooth and thorough experience. The specific access times, to be borne in mind, are 10:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 18:00 on both days.
Beyond the Walls: Bucolic Treasures and Artistic Traditions
Exploration does not stop at the historic centre. Just outside the town, nestled in an idyllic landscape that looks like something out of a romantic canvas, is Villa Sgadari. This elegant mansion houses a unique museum: the Museum of the Sicilian Cart and Puppets. Here you can admire pieces of extraordinary beauty and artistic value, testimonies of a popular art that is the very symbol of Sicily. The carts, finely carved and painted with epic scenes and vivid colours, and the puppets, marionettes that are the protagonists of chivalric stories, represent a priceless cultural heritage that Villa Sgadari safeguards and enhances.
The Borghi dei Tesori Fest in Petralia Soprana is more than just a succession of visits: it is an invitation to ‘live’ the village through engaging experiences.
Saturday 10 May promises to be full of appointments:
- 12 noon – 1 pm: The ‘From the Land to the Table’ event, organised by the local Pro Loco, promises an unforgettable sensory journey. Not a simple tasting, but a narrated workshop that will put visitors in direct contact with local producers and the genuine fruits of their land: fresh Madonie milk, ancient cereals, tasty meats. An opportunity to listen to the stories behind each product and understand the deep link between agriculture, territory and table.
- 4 pm: Let yourself be guided by Agostino Messineo, author and cultural operator, in the first guided itinerary “Narrando Petra”. A walking tour through the most evocative views, hidden alleys and panoramic squares of the village. Messineo will enrich the walk with stories, anecdotes and local legends, revealing the narrative soul of Petralia.
- 6.30 pm: Get ready for a show of pure energy and tradition in Piazza Duomo. The Stendardieri di Petralia Soprana will perform a breathtaking demonstration of strength, balance and skill. Their vaulting with heavy banners, in the magnificent setting of the parvis of the Mother Church (dedicated to the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul), is a highlight of local festivals and represents an ancient art handed down from generation to generation. A powerful and exciting visual spectacle.
Sunday 11 May continues the exploration:
- 09:00 – 13:00: For lovers of movement and landscapes, Giovanni Macaluso, an expert environmental hiking guide of the area, will lead an Urban Trekking of Petralia Soprana and its surroundings. An itinerary designed to discover not only the most hidden corners and belvederes within the historic centre, but also to venture slightly outside, enjoying unique panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and the Madonie mountain chain. A healthy and fascinating way to grasp the essence of the village in its natural context.
- Of course, visits to the palaces, museums and exhibitions already mentioned will continue throughout the day (at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.).
A Leap into Raffo: Underground Art and Ancestral Dances
The festival extends its boundaries to the nearby hamlet of Raffo, a small village that holds unexpected surprises, thanks to the efforts of the Sottosale Cultural Association. Here, the main attraction is undoubtedly the Sotto Sale Museum of Contemporary Art (MACSS). A unique experience: a museum set up inside a still active rock salt mine.
Contemporary works of art dialogue with the gleaming walls of thousand-year-old salt, creating a striking and unforgettable contrast. Visits to the MACSS are scheduled on Saturday from 10.30 am to 12 noon and on Sunday from 10.30 am to 3 pm. But Raffo will offer much more: guided tours of the village itself, tastings of local products, meetings with producers, and moments of popular entertainment. The highlight will be the chance to watch (and why not, participate in!) the historic Cordella Dance. This ancient folk dance, performed by dancers in traditional dress weaving coloured ribbons around a pole, is a propitiatory rite linked to the agricultural cycle and represents an authentic and joyful immersion in the island’s most deeply rooted traditions.
Practical Information for an Unforgettable Weekend
- Dates: Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May 2025.
- Site Visiting Hours (Petralia): 10:00 – 13:00 and 16:00 – 18:00 (with shifts every hour).
- Museum Under Salt Hours (Raffo): Saturday 10:30 – 12:00 | Sunday 10:30 – 15:00.
- Tickets/Coupons: Access to the sites and participation in the experiences require the purchase of coupons. These can be purchased conveniently online at the event’s official website:
https://www.leviedeitesori.com/borghideitesori/ or directly on site during the festival days at designated information points. - Organisation: The event is promoted by the Fondazione Le Vie dei Tesori, with the collaboration of local institutions, the Pro Loco, the Sottosale Association, and numerous cultural operators and guides in the area.
The Borghi dei Tesori Fest in Petralia Soprana is not simply an event, but an invitation to slow down, to look with new eyes, to listen to the stories whispered by the wind in the alleyways and to savour the authenticity of a territory that jealously guards its identity, proudly projecting it into the future. It is the perfect opportunity to get away from the daily hustle and bustle and treat yourself to a weekend of pure beauty, culture, emotions and discoveries in the green and beating heart of Sicily, the Madonie. Let yourself be surprised by the widespread beauty of Petralia Soprana and its treasures. We look forward to seeing you on 10 and 11 May 2025.