Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From Petralia Sottana, it's a twisty 16km climb along the SP54 to Piano Battaglia.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Collesano
POP 4072 / ELEV 917M
The upper reaches of this charming medieval town are dominated by the pink-and-cream
Basilica San Pietro on Corso Vittorio Emanuele and the weathered remains of a nearby
Norman castle. Like Castelbuono, the town was once governed by the Ventimiglias and
retains an aristocratic air.
Sights & Activities
There are a number of churches worthy of a visit, including the frescoed 15th-century
Duomo
(aka Santa Maria la Nuova), the 12th-century
Chiesa di St Maria la Vecchia
, the 17th-
century
Chiesa di St Maria del Gesù
and the early-16th century
Chiesa di St Giacomo
.
MUSEUM
Museo Targa Florio
( 0921 66 46 84;
www.museotargaflorio.it
;
Corso Vittorio Emanuele 3; adult/over 65yr €2/1; 9.30am-12.30pm
& 3.30-7pm, closed Mon & Thu afternoons)
This unique little museum displays photographs and
memorabilia documenting the Targa Florio, the world's oldest sports-car racing event. Es-
tablished by wealthy automobile enthusiast Vincenzo Florio in 1906, then discontinued in
1977 due to safety concerns, the 72km-race along the Monti Madonie's treacherous nar-
row roads was intensely challenging, with countless hairpin bends testing both the driver's
skill and the car's performance.
A plaque in the museum's first room chronicles the names and car models of all the
winners throughout the event's seven-decade history (in case you're wondering, Porsche
won the most times, followed closely by Alfa Romeo).
Eating
Casale Drinzi
SICILIAN
€
( 0921 66 40 27;
www.casaledrinzi.it
; Contrada Drinzi, SP9; pizzas €3.50-7, meals €17-22; closed most of Feb)
This wooden chalet in the hills immediately above Collesano is one of the Madonie's ab-
solute gems - one whiff of the delicious aromas emanating from the kitchen and you'll
