Randazzo

Randazzo is a charming medieval village perched at about 765 m above sea level on the north-western slopes of Etna, facing the Alcantara valley. Of Byzantine origin and later Norman and Aragonese, it preserves traces of multiple eras. Halfway between the Etna Park and the Nebrodi Park, it offers an exceptional natural setting. Its architecture makes extensive use of lava stone, giving it a dark and unique character. An active and lively village, it combines heritage, local produce and rural traditions.

Must-see or must-do

• Visit the basilica Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, a Gothic jewel in lava stone.
• Cross the Via degli Archi and the historic centre with its dark façades.
• See the pretty 16th-century cloister in the Town Hall.
• Explore the vineyards of Etna D.O.C. around Randazzo.
• Enjoy the lively Sunday market and the produce of the Alcantara valley.

What to see in Randazzo and its immediate surroundings

The historic heart of Randazzo is remarkable: built mainly of basalt from the volcano, it displays a dark grey hue. Start with the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta (13th century), whose lava-stone façade, three tower-apses and three-nave interior bear witness to Norman-Swabian architecture.
The Via degli Archi crosses the historic quarter and is lined with basalt arches, remnants of the Aragonese period.
The church of San Martino, founded in the 13th century, preserves a remarkable bell tower in lava bricks and a fine interior decoration. The church of San Nicola di Bari, rebuilt in the 16th century, houses works by the Gagini (Antonello and Giacomo) and a magnificent altarpiece.
The Palazzo Comunale, a former Franciscan convent, preserves a charming 17th-century lava-stone cloister, with an arched gallery and an inner garden, a remnant of medieval conventual architecture.
The Castello Svevo of Randazzo, located in the San Martino quarter, is the only surviving evidence of the medieval towers of the walls; it is now the archaeological museum “Paolo Vagliasindi”.

A few kilometres away, the small Lake Gurrida offers a peaceful setting amid the vineyards and forests of Etna.
The immediate surroundings of Randazzo include terraced vineyards that produce the wines of the Etna D.O.C. appellation: visiting a local estate allows you to combine heritage, nature and wine tourism.
On the slopes of Etna, at about 2,000 m above sea level, lies the Grotta del Gelo, one of the southernmost glaciers in Europe. 
Randazzo is a starting point for hikes in the Etna Park or towards the volcanic contrade, or for venturing into the woods of the Nebrodi.

Gallery

Traditions and gastronomy in Randazzo

Land of vineyards

Randazzo is at the heart of the Etna D.O.C. wine-growing area, renowned for its elegant red wines made from the Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio grape varieties. These mineral wines, with aromas of red fruit and spices, are grown on basalt terraces at more than 700 metres above sea level. Local wine estates, such as Terrazze dell’Etna and Donnafugata, offer visits and immersive tastings.

Culinary specialities

• Pork stew with almonds and hazelnuts: A rich and comforting mountain dish, where the meat is slowly simmered with local dried fruit, offering a perfect harmony between sweetness and strength.
• Buccellati: These shortbread biscuits filled with dried figs, sometimes enhanced with chocolate, are a sweet speciality of the region. They are often decorated with coloured icing and sugar pearls.
• Granita: A refreshing dessert made from local fruit such as cherries, peaches or white raspberries, granita is an unmissable summer tradition, often served at breakfast or as a snack.
• Pasta with sardines (Pasta con le sarde): An emblematic dish of Sicily, this recipe combines fresh sardines, wild fennel, pine nuts and raisins, offering an explosion of Mediterranean flavours.

Local products

• Cheeses: The sheep’s and goat’s cheeses, matured in the cool cellars of Randazzo, are appreciated for their firm texture and pronounced flavour.
• Etna honey: Produced from the wild flowers of the volcanic slopes, Etna honey is sweet and aromatic, ideal to accompany cheeses or desserts.

Traditions and festivals

Every year, a gastronomic festival (“Sicily Food Vibes”) takes place in Randazzo in late September, celebrating the flavours of the local area and its status as European Region of Gastronomy.

An unusual local tradition: the time siren that sounds every day at 8 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. has marked the start and end of agricultural tasks since the post-war period.

The Sunday market, a legacy of the markets of the Arab era, remains an institution: vegetables, fruit, cheeses, wine and handicrafts stand side by side in a lively atmosphere.

Sources and external sites

• Tourism on the municipality’s website: www.comune.randazzo.ct.it
• Randazzo – Wikipedia page (FR)
• Randazzo – Visitsicily.info

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