From the Bar Vitelli to the Church of San Michele, passing through the Bifora: what to see in Savoca, the village of Messina and location of the film The Godfather.
Perched on a hill on the Ionian coast of the province ofMessina, Savoca is one of the most beautiful villages inItalyas well as the flagship of Sicily and of the Valle d'Agrò area to which it belongs.
The Renaissance and Baroque aura that hovers among the narrow streets of Savoca has had, over the last few years, the power to enchant many. It's enough to walk through the stone streets that climb up the hill to realize that this village really has something magical about it. And it is no coincidence that, among the many who were enchanted by the beautiful Savoca, there was also the directorFrancis Ford Coppolawho, right among these glimpses, decided to set some of the Sicilian scenes of his cinematographic masterpiece "The Godfather".
THE HISTORY OF SAVOCA
The history of Savoca (Savucu in Sicilian dialect - refers to the elderberry plant that thrives here) has its roots in the Roman era even if it was only during the Kingdom of Sicily that this village experienced great development, so much so that it became the center of reference point of the Valle d'Agrò. During the 19th century, as happened to many internal countries ofMessina(some that later became real “ghost villages”), Savoca also began to depopulate. It was only from the second half of the 1900s that the village experienced a new wave of prosperity establishing itself as a very active and much loved tourist centre. In addition to being part of the circuit of the "most beautiful villages in Italy", since 2016 Savoca is alsoone of the 10 most beautiful villages in the world.
WHAT TO SEE IN SAVOCA
The Sicilian writer Leonardo Sciascia, in an article published in 1962 in "Il Giorno", defined Savoca "the country with seven faces” precisely because, from whatever point you look at it, it always offers a different perspective.
The main attractions of the village are located within the historic center which was once surrounded by high walls and, to be able to visit every corner, you will need at least half a day. In this post I leave you the list of the main things to do and see in Savoca, with some curiosities about traditions and customs.
City Gate
At the time of the Normans, when the village was surrounded by walls, the Porta della Città represented one of the two ancient entrances (today the only one left intact). The Porta has a pointed arch, in sandstone, and is the natural access to the historic centre.
St. Michael's Church
The Church of San Michele rises just beyond the Porta della Città, at the end of a short stairway. Built in 1250 by the archimandrites of Messina, it was then enlarged and embellished around 1400 with two beautiful portals in Gothic-Sicilian-Chiaramontano style and, in 1600, with Baroque elements and internal frescoes.
Crypt of the Capuchin Convent
Among the absolutely must-see things in Savoca stands out the Capuchin Convent with the internal crypt that contains 37 mummified corpses belonging to the rich Savocese aristocracy. As well as theCatacombs of the Capuchins of Palermo or Crypt of the Capuchins of Rome, also in the Crypt of Savoca is the highest testimony of the ancient custom of the friars to embalm the corpses, dress them and place them in sacred places.
Church of Santa Maria in Cielo Assunta
Built in 1130 in Renaissance style, the Church of Santa Maria in Cielo Assunta is the mother church of Savoca as well as an Italian national monument since 1910. Inside there is the crypt where once the mummification of the bodies of the Savoca aristocrats took place, then placed in the catacombs of the Capuchin Convent. To be admired, on the external façade, is a lava stone rose window with five arms.
The Bifora
Along the road that connects the Church of Santa Maria in Cielo Assunta and the Calvary is the Bifora, an ancient and picturesque stone window that is part of a medieval house (one of the most unusual things to see in Savoca).
Vitelli bar
It is unthinkable to visit Savoca and not make a stop (complete with photos) among the outdoor tables of Bar Vitelli, the most famous Sicilian location in theThe Godfather. The scene in the film is exactly the one in which Michael Corleone speaks to Vitelli, Apollonia's father, to ask her to marry him.
Location of Coppola's The Godfather
In the small square in front of Bar Vitelli, from which you can admire a beautiful panorama, a tribute statue to the famous director Francis Ford Coppola has been placed.
Pentefur Castle
The current structure of the Castle of Pentefur, located on a hill overlooking the whole of Savoca, was built in the 12th century by King Roger II of Sicily as the summer residence of the Archimandrite from Messina (although there is a tendency to believe that the origin of the manor is to be placed in the late Byzantine period).
However, very little remains of the ancient castle of the past today: some pieces of the crenellated walls, some loopholes, some cisterns and the remains of the keep.
Curiosity! According to a legend, the Castle of Pentefur was built by five thieves who escaped from the prison ofTaorminawho chose that place as a den for their shady business.
Church of San Nicolò
The Church of San Nicolò stands on one of the highest points of Savoca and seems to dominate the surrounding area unchallenged. It is exactly in its churchyard that some scenes of the film The Godfather by Francis Ford Coppola were filmed (those of the marriage between Michael Corleone and Apollonia).
Location of Coppola's The Godfather
Calvary Church
Among the most beautiful things to see and admire in the small village of Savoca there is also the Church of Calvario, set in the panoramic area of the city.
Built before the year 1000 by some Basilian monks, in 1735 the church passed into the hands of the Jesuits who, in addition to restoring it, made it the fulcrum of the Easter rites. Even today, in front of the main door, one can witness a picturesque representation of the Passion of Christ (with a long procession of hooded people) which is very reminiscent of that of theGood Friday of Seville, In Spain.
Stations of the Cross
Along the road that connects the Capuchin Convent and the Calvario Church are the 14 terracotta stations of the Via Dolorosa of Savoca, all set in small stone niches, absolutely worth seeing and immortalizing.
HOW TO GET TO SAVOCA
Savoca rises in the province ofMessina, a few kilometers away from the Municipality ofSaint Teresa of Rivaand not far from Taormina. The easiest way to reach the village is by car:
- From Messina (42 kilometres), following the A18 Me-Ct with exit at Roccalumera.
- From Catania(71 km), following the A18 Me-Ct with Roccalumera exit.
The closest airport to Savoca is that of Fontanarossa, in Catania (about 90km away).
Verónica Crocitti
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[…] le altre escursioni in giornata che vi consiglio di inserire tra le vostre tappe spiccano quelle a Savoca, il borgo in cui sono state girate alcune scene de Il Padrino di Francis Ford Coppola, ed il parco […]