Buccheri: Ice Houses, Churches and Landscapes

Buccheri brings together architectural and church history with festival culture, gorges and regional cuisine. If you are looking for a destination with a range of cultural and landscape themes, you will find specific points of interest here to help plan your trip.

Ice Houses, Churches and Historic Architecture

The ice houses of Buccheri are a distinctive architectural feature. Built from lava stone, they come in cave, domed and square forms. These three forms give the structures their own architectural character. Alongside the town’s religious buildings, they represent a different type of construction and broaden the picture of Buccheri’s architectural heritage.

The churches also offer a range of historical and artistic points of interest. Sant’Antonio Abate has a three-aisled basilica floor plan; Giuseppe Gianforma created the stucco work in the central nave in 1757. Sant’Ambrogio houses an ancient wooden crucifix by an unknown sculptor. The statue of Saint Antonello Gagini (1478–1536) is attributed to him in the church of Santa Maria Maddalena. These examples highlight the floor plan, decoration and attribution as distinct aspects of the town’s history.

The Fontana dei Canali on Piazza Roma dates from the 16th century. Buccheri also retains the remains of a Norman castle. Those interested in religious architecture will find another point of interest outside the town: Sant’Andrea, near Buccheri, is considered a rare example of Gothic religious architecture from the Hohenstaufen period. The small rock church of San Nicola is located in the hamlet of Le Croci and was carved out of a natural cave.

Festival Culture and Craftsmanship

MedFest is a recurring event featuring medieval performances. The program includes flag throwers, dancers and jugglers, as well as tastings of typical medieval dishes and sweets. The municipality describes the festival as an established annual event. The 29th edition took place from August 21 to 23, 2026. For specific travel plans, the dates of the event are key.

The Museo degli Antichi Mestieri offers a different way to explore craftsmanship. The municipality established the museum at Casa del Fanciullo in November 2021. Buccheri is also a stop on the Ancient Sicilian Crossroads. Alongside individual buildings, visitors can choose from a range of cultural themes, including festival culture, craftsmanship and a regional route.

Gorge, Forest and Regional Cuisine

The Gole della Stretta di Buccheri add a scenic dimension to travel plans. There, the waters of the San Leonardo River have carved channels between rock and water. Canyoning is possible in the gorge; you should check arrangements for this activity separately. Forests are also part of Buccheri’s landscape: among the municipalities in the Syracuse area, Buccheri has the largest number of forests.

Local cuisine includes salami made from pork and wild boar, ricotta and cheese, as well as Maccaruneddi and U pani copipi. Another regional product is Monti Iblei extra virgin olive oil, with a protected designation of origin and the Monte Lauro geographical indication. Tonda Iblea olives from Monte Lauro are used to produce it. The cuisine thus complements the cultural and landscape themes with specific regional products.

If you include Parcallario in your travel plans, check the conditions for the courses. The family package includes all the adventure courses, including Superzipline and Up2tree; package contents may change. Access to the courses requires registration at the Info Point and a registration code. Check the details before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Priolo Gargallo, San Corrado Di Fuori, Portopalo Di Capo Passero, Testa Dell'acqua, Pachino, Carlentini, Solarino, Fontane Bianche.

See the broader travel guide: Syracuse.