Floresta, with its 1275 meters above sea level, is the highest municipality of Sicily. The name "Floresta" seems to derive from the Latin word "Forest", even if a less accredited current of thought attributes this name to the expression "Flos aestatis", literally "Summer Flower".Its beauty and its peculiarity are unique: let's discover together the history and the beautiful places and monuments to see in Floresta.

Floresta: a difficult history

​It is not known with certainty the origins of this small center nebroideo, but interesting are the testimonies arrived to us to the respect. The first news of a civilization arrives to us just from the Roman domination around 260 B.C.: in this period, in fact, Floresta became place of forced works by slaves and prisoners of war. The rich vegetation and the presence of strong trees, made Floresta become an excellent place to find construction materials for warships.

Middle Ages: depopulation and return to the origins

The settlements in this area of Nebrodi continued to grow up to the high Middle Ages, period in which there was a sudden depopulation. In spite of the high number of raw materials, very soon the inhabitants realized the difficulties that existed in living in a place like that. The winter was very harsh and often the village remained isolated for weeks, preventing any communication with the outside world. The only testimony of these ancient settlements are the "Cùbburi", small constructions made of dry stone, also called "Pagghiàri 'Mpètra" (stone haystacks) and built by shepherds who took refuge in the area during transhumance.

From ghost town to flourishing feud

Since the 13th century, Floresta began to be a destination for farmers in search of land and soon became part of the domain of Frederick III of Aragon. The latter, after having been invested as King of Sicily in 1296, transformed it into a feud and entrusted it to the nobleman Peregrino De Pactis. More than three centuries later, in 1619, the fief passed to the Spanish Antonio Quintana Duegna. Thanks to this new role, Antonio was appointed, shortly after, "Marquis of the Forest of San Giorgio and Grassetta". In this period, the village had an incredible growth: it became, in fact, the nerve center of the cereal production of the time thanks to the presence of numerous waterways. It was in this historical context that was built the church dedicated to San Giorgio, on which was then erected, in 1775, the still present Mother Church of Sant'Anna.

From 1800 to the present day

Beginning from the second half of the eighteenth century, the nebroid center underwent a not indifferent urban widening, subsequently enriching itself, during the nineteenth century, of stupendous noble buildings that it is possible to admire still today. In 1820 it officially became a Commune but, at the beginning of the twentieth century, the town underwent a further setback that brought it to a second depopulation because of its isolated position that made it and still makes it particularly little hospitable in the winter period. Currently, Floresta is one of the tourist sites more in sight of the Nebrodi, but the population does not even reach 500 inhabitants.

What to see in Floresta: here are 9 places you can't miss!

After having told you a bit of history, now let's see what you can visit in this small town of Nebrodi.

1. Cathedral Church of St. Anne

The Cathedral Church of the small village of Floresta is dedicated to Saint Anne mother of Mary and patroness of the town. The religious building was erected around 1775 on the seventeenth-century church that Antonio Quintana Duegnas had, at the time, dedicated to St. George. The church of Sant'Anna was enlarged around 1800 and it was during this renovation that the change of dedication from San Giorgio to Sant'Anna officially took place. Externally the church has a salient facade embellished by a simple sandstone portal and flanked by a cuspidate bell tower. The interior, with three naves decorated in stucco and marked by pillars preserves, in addition to numerous wooden statues of twentieth-century workmanship, the wooden effigy of the patron.

2. Church of St. Anthony of Padua

The church of Sant'Antonio da Padova, recently restored, has seventeenth-century origins but the present structure dates back to the early 1900s. The plant of the religious building has a single nave and it is characterized in its outside by the visible masonry and by the simple portal carved in the local sandstone. Inside it keeps the wooden statue of the saint to whom it is dedicated.

3. Historic Center

Walking through the streets of the center you can admire some glimpses of the stone houses and the nineteenth-century noble palaces. The characteristic atmosphere of the place is enriched by breathtaking views and the vision of Etna in the background.

4. "Cùbburi"

The already mentioned "Cùbburi" are among the most interesting antiquities to see in Floresta. These curious structures were built in the past in the areas destined to the pasture and were used as a shelter by the shepherds. The architectural structure is circular, even if it is not rare to find some quadrangular ones. Starting from the foundations, the stone ashlars are arranged concentrically, so that each row supports the upper one. The construction is crowned by a pseudo-dome with a heavy system, which makes the structure fall into the typical type of tholos.

5. Forest of Floresta

If you feel like leaving the chaos of the hectic life typical of today's towns and cities, take a walk in the fantastic Bosco di Floresta. Immersed in the heart of the Nebrodi Natural Park, this uncontaminated area is an enchanting place where you can rediscover the beauty of nature.

6. "Roccia Bucata" (Pitted Rock)

Just outside the town you can walk in the green pastures of the Nebrodi park and visit this beautiful particular rock that we of Ttatta Go have ironically nicknamed "Roccia Bucata"..

7. Municipal Palace 

The building that houses the municipal seat of the municipality of Floresta has nineteenth-century origins and is located on the main street, just before the central square. The structure, which does not present particular stylistic merits, is characterized architecturally for its exterior in exposed masonry.

8. Baronial Palace

As the municipal palace, also the baronial palace overlooks the main street of the center of Nebrodi, near the Mother Church. Its structure, of clear noble taste, shows off the beautiful balconies in sandstone softened by elegant railings in wrought iron..

9. Source of Alcantara River

The source of the river Alcantara, one of the most important in Sicily, is located on the southern slope of Serra di Baratta, at 1250 meters of altitude. It is reached after a fascinating and particularly panoramic route with its views of Etna and the Aeolian Islands.

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