Castell'Umberto is a town located in the northern Nebrodi mountains of Sicily at an elevation of 660 meters. Originally called Castania, it was rebuilt in 1865 after a landslide and renamed in honor of King Umberto I of Italy. The town is characterized by green spaces and its municipal park. Culturally and historically significant sites include the Mother Church containing statues by Antonio Gagini, the Norman Castle of Sollima, and churches of St. Francis, Santa Barbara, and St. Vincent Ferreri. Castell'Umberto offers views of Mount Etna, the Aeolian Islands, and the Tyrrhenian Sea coastline, and had origins as a Greek and Roman

2. CASTELL'UMBERTOCASTELL'UMBERTO,, OUR TOWNOUR TOWN

3. CASTELL'UMBERTOCASTELL'UMBERTO HISTORICAL NEWSHISTORICAL NEWS
OurOur center is located on the northern Nebrodi mountains to 660 meterscenter is located on the northern Nebrodi mountains to 660 meters
above sea level on the north-western side of the mountain fortress ofabove sea level on the north-western side of the mountain fortress of
Poggio, between the rivers of Naso and Fitalia, and is 122 km fromPoggio, between the rivers of Naso and Fitalia, and is 122 km from
Messina and 175 km from Palermo.Messina and 175 km from Palermo.
Originally the village was called Castania (legend says that the nameOriginally the village was called Castania (legend says that the name
comes from Castrum Aeneae, fortress of Aeneas as some of his companionscomes from Castrum Aeneae, fortress of Aeneas as some of his companions
went up the stream of Fitalia and founded a large center),but after awent up the stream of Fitalia and founded a large center),but after a
landslide, the center that was rebuilt in 1865 and renamed in honour oflandslide, the center that was rebuilt in 1865 and renamed in honour of
Umberto I of Savoy, king of Italy.Umberto I of Savoy, king of Italy.
The country is characterized by the harmony between buildings and greenThe country is characterized by the harmony between buildings and green
spaces and is enriched by a beautiful municipal park with swimmingspaces and is enriched by a beautiful municipal park with swimming
pool and sports facilitiesspool and sports facilitiess..

5. OUR CULTURAL AND TRADITIONAL HERITAGEOUR CULTURAL AND TRADITIONAL HERITAGE
The Mother ChurchThe Mother Church, is probably the structure with, is probably the structure with
the largest architectural value. Inside, two statues ofthe largest architectural value. Inside, two statues of
Antonio Gagini (1526-1532) and is the only survivingAntonio Gagini (1526-1532) and is the only surviving
Roman sacred building in these places. The interiorRoman sacred building in these places. The interior
consists of three naves contains five altars, two ofconsists of three naves contains five altars, two of
Corinthian-style and one in Tuscan style.Corinthian-style and one in Tuscan style.

6. Other interisting sites.....Other interisting sites.....
● SollimaSollima Norman Castle ,Norman Castle , partly collapsed;partly collapsed;
●the sixteenth-centurythe sixteenth-century Church of St. Francis,Church of St. Francis, antiqueantique
archive of Franciscan monks with magnificent frescoesarchive of Franciscan monks with magnificent frescoes
and inside an antique organ of gold;and inside an antique organ of gold;
●the Church of Santa Barbarathe Church of Santa Barbara, with the bell tower, with the bell tower
decorated with mosaics;decorated with mosaics;
● the Dominican monasterythe Dominican monastery dedicated to St. Vincentdedicated to St. Vincent
Ferreri, the patron saint of our town, dating from theFerreri, the patron saint of our town, dating from the
late '400 of which today remains bell tower and part oflate '400 of which today remains bell tower and part of
the walls.the walls.

7. OUR SURROUDINGS....OUR SURROUDINGS....OUR SURROUDINGS....OUR SURROUDINGS....

8. Castell'UmbertoCastell'Umberto is a sort of balcony on the beautiful sceneryis a sort of balcony on the beautiful scenery
of the Aeolian Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Our town has itsof the Aeolian Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Our town has its
own peculiarities and traditions, and is part of the district ofown peculiarities and traditions, and is part of the district of
Nebrodi ParkNebrodi Park,, the mountain protected area dominating thethe mountain protected area dominating the
north-eastern coast of Sicily, withnorth-eastern coast of Sicily, with EtnaEtna behind and the sevenbehind and the seven
Aeolian islandsAeolian islands,, Unesco world heritage, in front of.Unesco world heritage, in front of.
The originary village had ancient origins, dating back to theThe originary village had ancient origins, dating back to the
Greek-Roman period up to the Medieval-Normans one. ItsGreek-Roman period up to the Medieval-Normans one. Its
particular territory, between mountains and sea, surrounded byparticular territory, between mountains and sea, surrounded by
woods has also led the economy of this area that has spent a lotwoods has also led the economy of this area that has spent a lot
of in raising livestock, craftsmanship (such as stone sculpture)of in raising livestock, craftsmanship (such as stone sculpture)
and tourism.and tourism.

9. WE ARE FAMOUS FOR........WE ARE FAMOUS FOR........

10. GREETINGS FROM.....
ISTITUTO COMPRENSIVO
“J.F. KENNEDY”
CASTELL'UMBERTO
ITALY