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A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Palazzolo Acreide is a place where Greek history meets the splendor of the Baroque. It stands close to the ancient Akrai, founded in 664 BC, of ​​which it preserves a perfectly intact Greek theatre. The inhabited center is a parade of late-Baroque architecture of rare visual power, with the facades of the churches of San Sebastiano and San Paolo challenging the sky with complex stone decorations, testifying to an artistic rebirth of exceptional vigor after the destruction of the 17th century.

Tradition and Historical Festival

The Feast of San Sebastiano, celebrated on August 10th, is one of the most full of folklore on the island. The moment of the "Sciuta" is unforgettable: the Saint leaves the church amidst the deafening shot of thousands of "nzuppeddi" (strips of colored paper) covering the sky. A unique tradition is the ritual of presenting naked children to the Saint to ask for his protection. The festival ends with the auction of the gifts offered to the patron saint, in a fascinating mix of sacred and archaic popular traditions.

Gastronomy and Typical DishPalazzolo's gastronomic brand is certified by the Slow Food brand: the Palazzolo Acreide Sausage. Prepared with Sicilian breed pork, cut exclusively by hand and seasoned with sea salt, black pepper, chilli pepper and wild fennel, it stands out for the addition of a small percentage of local red wine in the mixture. Another distinctive dish is Pasta with Iblean Truffle, a precious underground mushroom that grows in the surrounding woods and gives local recipes a wild and unmistakable scent.