Mitta: San Sebastiano, Gole Ranciara and the winding route

Mitta is a hamlet of Casalvecchio Siculo, located 410 metres above sea level. Casalvecchio Siculo is about 10 kilometres away. The parish church of San Sebastiano is on Piazza Chiesa in Mitta; Gole Ranciara is nearby, and the “Valli Joniche dei Peloritani” route passes through the hamlet. Local history, a landscape shaped over centuries and a winding road route offer different points of reference when choosing your destination.

San Sebastiano and Mitta’s local history

A church dedicated to Saint San Sebastiano already existed in Mitta in the 18th century. The parish church of San Sebastiano is on Piazza Chiesa; Mitta is also classified as a historic settlement core in the Sicilian Region’s landscape plan. These two details complement each other: the dedication points to the area’s religious history, while the classification reflects the historic character of the settlement as a whole. If you are interested in sacred history and historic town centres, Mitta offers two different perspectives on the place.

Gole Ranciara: landscape and industrial history

Gole Ranciara was formed over centuries by the erosion caused by the waters of the Fiumara d’Agrò. The gorge lies on the boundary between the territories of Casalvecchio and Limina. Water shaped the gorge; its location places it between two territories. On the left bank, in the Mitta area, you can see the ruins of one of the first power stations built in Sicily. It was built by the Mastroieni family. This trace of technology adds a history of electricity to a landscape shaped by natural erosion.

The route through Mitta

The “Valli Joniche dei Peloritani” route passes through Mitta. A description published on 29 January 2024 gives its length as 60 kilometres and says it has more than 70 hairpin bends. This perspective focuses on the course of a named road route. It differs from the local themes of San Sebastiano and Gole Ranciara: here, you can see Mitta as part of a winding route, while the church and gorge each offer their own historical or landscape connections.

Cultural history in Casalvecchio Siculo

The Church of SS. Pietro e Paolo d’Agrò is part of the cultural heritage of the municipality of Casalvecchio Siculo. It dates from 560 AD and was restored in 1172. The two dates mark different historical milestones: 560 is the year the church was founded, while 1172 is the year it was restored. This building adds another sacred heritage site within the municipality to the history of the Church of San Sebastiano in Mitta.

The parish museum of Casalvecchio Siculo was established to preserve works of art, tools and household objects that would otherwise probably have been scattered. The objects preserved there include a white 17th-century liturgical vestment, finely embroidered and decorated with gold and coral. There is also a silver monstrance dating from 1684. The two objects represent different forms of liturgical art and craftsmanship.

The parish museum also displays evidence of the agricultural and pastoral culture of Casalvecchio Siculo: a stone grain mill and a larger mill with gears dating from 1700. Liturgical objects are thus presented alongside tools from working life. These different themes help you distinguish Casalvecchio Siculo’s religious culture from its agricultural and pastoral culture, while Mitta retains its own focus on San Sebastiano, the historic settlement core and nearby Gole Ranciara.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Rocca Di Capri Leone, Acquacalda, Santa Marina Salina, Sant'alessio Siculo, Torregrotta, Sorrentini, Furnari, Villafranca Tirrena.

For the main travel overview: Messina.