Travelling friend and I set off in search of the Alcantara Gorge, driving through Piedmonte Etneo and Linguaglossa, climbing higher and weaving among olive, peach and almond groves. Our plan was a stop at Castiglione, the gateway to the Alcantara Range, and here it is on the other side of the valley from our zigzag road, with the mountains in the background.
At the bottom of the town we parked for free again – in fact we didn’t once pay for parking, amazing when we are used to paying around £2 an hour in the UK. Leaving the car, we asked an elderly man for directions through the maze, to the castle. He was a delight and loved practicing a few words of English with us and asking about our city. We followed him to his wife’s shop, which he unlocked just to give us a tourist map, and point us along the road.
The empty streets.
Looking back where we came from.
We didn’t see another soul walking, but it was hot and I guess they were being sensible and taking a siesta. Or perhaps it really was a ghost town and we imagined our nice gentleman. We went in ever decreasing circles until we reached an empty piaza with a closed cafe and as we didn’t bring enough water for the hot climb, we kept going upwards and found one open. Another place where they don’t see many outsiders, but the owner was very friendly. We had cold drinks under the shade of a canopy and within a few minutes some locals appeared, all men. I think there must be some secret jungle drums, that makes them wake up and come to check people out!
Some town views.
Refreshed, we found the path up to the castle hoping to go inside – it was locked up and there was no evidence that it would be opening any time soon. This is looking through the gate.
So we found a different path back down the hill, this is the view from behind the castle towards the Alcantara.
We should probably have asked for directions when we stopped for gelato back at the cafe, but as we could see the only possible road to the Gorge, we didn’t worry.
Before we left town we enjoyed the peaceful stroll and the air of faded beauty. If there are no tourists in early July, then there are probably no tourists and it’s very sad if the town continues to deteriorate, like this.
Check out the balconies and in the top left, the remains of a flight of steps.
We loved Castiglione regardless of it’s disrepair. It’s strange to walk around a whole town for a good two hours and see just our kind old man and four other customers in the cafe. So we drove out in search of the road to the Gorge and soon realised we must have missed the turning. Never mind, there should be more than one way of reaching it shouldn’t there? We tried three and none led us there so we eventually gave up, headed back to Fiumefreddo where our hotel balcony was in perfect condition with a fabulous view of Alcantara!
Lucid Gypsy 
what a beautiful place Gilly…sad to see it fall in to disrepair. But what a wonderful man to help you out so easily
Gosh that last building looks as though its held together with just a wish and a prayer. All the cement seems to have dissolved in time.
The architecture is what I noticed the most. Fabulous ….
Just as well you didn’t find the way in – considering your experiences in the haunted town, entering the gorge would probably have taken you to a completely different world and you’d never have found your way back out! We’d miss you, Gilly. 😦 😉
So sad to see a town dying for lack of people and money to keep it alive and thriving – what a spectacular place it must have been. Peeping into the castle – what a tease! 🙂
Such a pity that beautiful old buildings like that can’t be restored because of the lack of money Gilly. Great shots hon and thanks for sharing. 😀 *big hugs*
Looks like a wonderful, historical place. And how kind of the man to open the shop to give you a map. when I travel I meet so many kind people and it makes the trip even more special.
I can imagine how eerie it must have felt with no inhabitants to speak of (other than the old man etc.). Still, this sounds like a lovely adventure. I really like the photos. It’s a pity the town is falling down. The buildings should be preserved because they are so lovely and historical..
Thank you for touring this historical site. Sad to see the emptiness of the town. It must be a glorious place…
Remarkable
It certainly does have a certain charm even though it’s looking rather derelict. I must have been magnificent in its heyday. Lovely pics, Gilly. 🙂
Reblogged this on Ruben Albert and commented:
An Elusive Gorge and a Hill Top Perch
This is a great post! I’ve never heard of this place and now after seeing your wonderful pictures I WANT TO GO THERE! Very eerie not seeing people in the town. It truly is a ghost town. I think that’s what adds even more character to the place. Thanks for the tour.
This looks like it was well worth the effort.
Beautiful images Gilly! My most memorable moments are when i get lost trying to find something on my map 🙂
I’d take a quiet streets over the crowd.
The place is so stony. Look at that big rocks together with the houses!
Looks so awesome for it’s out-of-time appeal.