| Castelbuono e localita' vicine
 Castelbuono
The older mother church (1494), the new mother church, the church of Sant’Antonio
and the church of Santa Maria Assunta, in roman-gothyc style, characterized by a beautiful
portico dated XVI century, represent the most important ecclesiastic monuments in town,
while the medieval mansion Castle of the Princes of Ventimiglia (1316) shows the civil
political power of this noble family through its regular plan and squared towers. In its
interior a pretty courtyard with open galleries and “Cappella Palatina” dated to
the late XVII century, adorned with refined stucco works of the Serpotta school.
 Geraci Siculo
This town boasts a noble and ancient past as much. The higher town street plan is based on
an islamic system with narrow and tortuos lanes, while the new town has developed around
the castle ruins. Here a falconry hunting school is still active.
 Gangi
In Ganci further churches and various nobles residences are of such interest, as the
mother church dated XVII century, the church of SS. Salvatore, S. Maria degli Angeli and
the Santuary of Spirito Santo; further the residences of Sgadari, Mocciaro, Buongiorno
– Li Destri families. Quite outside town, the former Benedictine monastery of the XVI
century, known as “Ganci Vecchio”.
 Petralia Soprana
The mother church of Petralia Soprana shows moreover its coupled columns portico, beyond
which an imposing XV century catalan-gothyc portal opens, overlaid by two towers. In the
interior, sculptures of Antonello Gagini and a crucifix of Friar Umile, as well as a worth
treasure. The churches of Santa Maria of Loreto, of SS. Salvatore, the XVIII century
monastery of Santa Maria di Gesł of the Reformed Fathers, become actually a cultural
centre and the baroque style Villa Sgadari.
Many other worth visiting churches and historical buildings in Petralia Sottana, being
part of the local artistic heritage such as: the church of Santa Maria della Fontana (XVI
– XVII century), the church of Misericordia with its suggestive campanile dated 1175,
the baroque church of S. Francesco and the mother church (XVII century), preserving many
arts masterpieces and sculptures ascribed to Gagini. In the sacristy remarkable golden
treasures are admirable.
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