Capri Leone: Churches, Art and Trails

Capri Leone lies in the northern Nebrodi, at the far edge of the Fiumara di Zappulla. Churches, individual works of art and the Parco Urbano Peppino Grasso give the town its distinctive character.

Landscape and trails in the Parco Urbano

The Parco Urbano Peppino Grasso has hiking trails, a large open-air auditorium and a small lake inhabited by ducks. These different features sit side by side: trails, an open-air auditorium and a body of water. The presence of wildlife at the lake may vary. If you plan to use the trails, check their current condition before your visit.

Churches, architectural history and works of art

The Chiesa Madre was built in the Middle Ages. Palazzo Cupane is a baronial palace dating from the mid-19th century. The two buildings offer different points of reference in time: a medieval church on the one hand, and a 19th-century palace on the other. The Chiesa di Maria SS. Annunziata adds another dimension, with origins dating from between the 14th and 16th centuries.

Two works of art, differing in material and form, are kept in the Annunziata. The marble statue is attributed to Antonello Gagini, or documented as his work; it was created between 1533 and 1534. Beside it is a processional fercolo with a wooden depiction of the Annunciation from the 17th century. Their dates and materials make the two objects distinct points of reference for viewing the church’s furnishings.

The Santuario di Santa Maria di Tindari is located on the Rocca, the rocky massif that gives the densely populated centre its name. Its interior is carved into the rock and decorated with stained glass. Its present appearance dates from a renovation in 1986, when a monumental fibreglass statue of the Virgin Mary by Andrea Trisciuzzi was placed on a high plinth. The rock-hewn space, stained glass and statue each illustrate a different aspect of the sanctuary’s design.

The Chiesa di Sant’Antonio Abate stands at the highest point of the town, framing a panoramic viewpoint. Its architectural details include a simple marble portal made of stone from San Marco. Alongside the church’s striking location, this is a specific architectural feature.

A monumental fountain with two lions spouting water from their mouths stands in Piazza dei Leoni, after which the square is named. There is also a red marble lioness sculpture from San Marco, dating from the 15th century. The fountain and sculpture both use the lion motif, but in different forms.

Art in the townscape and getting there

With La Mappa dell’Arte, the historic centre became an open-air museum in the 2025 format, with decentralised exhibitions and installations. Another art project is “Muri Parlanti – Street Art Capri Leone,” which includes a mural by Andrea Sposari in the area in front of the schools in Rocca di Capri Leone. While the exhibitions of La Mappa dell’Arte were spread across several locations in the historic centre, the mural is at a specific location in Rocca di Capri Leone.

From Palermo, travel via the A19 PA–CT and A20 PA–ME motorways to the Capri Leone exit. As road conditions and signage can change, it is worth checking your route before setting off. When choosing a hotel, you can weigh the attractions described here against one another: sacred buildings and works of art make for a different visit to the town than the trails in the urban park. This lets you tailor your search for a hotel in Capri Leone to the things that interest you most during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Spadafora, San Fratello, San Salvatore Di Fitalia, Tortorici, Fondachello, Ficarra, Sorrentini, Condrò

For the main travel overview: Messina.