Castiglione stands on a rise overlooking the southern shore of the Alcantara river, with houses set on a steep slope; the locations of the civil and religious power are both on the highest point of the hill.

Via Regina Margherita, with its lavic paving, leads to Piazza Lauria: the simple construction of the early twentieth-century Town Hall stands on the site of the ancient Peculio which allowed the survival of citizens during the years of famine. In the quarter of Cameni, one of the oldest quarters of Castiglione, is the Church of Sant'Antonio, whose construction began in 1601; it has a beautiful baroque façade (1796) and a bulbe dome. Some of the most important civic buildings, such as Palazzo Camardi, Palazzo Imbesi, Palazzo Sardo and Palazzo Saglimbeni are in this area.

From the Church of Sant'Antonio a steep path leads behind the apse of the Church of San Pietro, built, according to tradition, at the behest of the Norman Count Ruggero d´Altavilla in 1105, although the date could be moved forward until the earliest Suevian period. Of the original building only the apse and the tower, made of lava and sandstone ashlars, remain. Next to the church of San Pietro is the eighteenth-century church and monastery of San Benedetto.

Going down along via Federico II is the norman Church of San Marco (XII century) and then, after a steep staircase, are the ruins of a fort of the same period or - more likely - Byzantine called Castelluccio (Castidduzzu) which was connected to the Lauria castle and to another outpost, probably the church of San Pietro, by underground passages. A panoramic road leads from Piazza Lauria to the Basilica of Madonna della Catena, the most important church in Castiglione di Sicilia. It was begun in 1655, is preceded by a beautiful staircase and features a monumental Baroque façade by Baldassarre Greco, who also designed the statue of San Filippo (1744). Inside is a statue of the Madonna della Catena in white Carrara marble, attributed to the school of Gagini: the special grace of the work suggests to be by Giacomo Gagini who was a pupil of Michelangelo.

Going on is the castle of Ruggero di Lauria, of Norman-Suevian origin (XII century), standing on a sandstone cliff, its importance is such that in past times it gave the village its name.

Outside the village, on Via San Vincenzo are a cylindrical tower called Cannizzu (XII century), which is the symbol of the town of Castiglione, and the Church of San Vincenzo Ferreri, originally belonging to an abbey led by Benedictine monks from Cassino. 

Going on along the road to Francavilla di Sicilia, just after the bridge crossing the Alcantara river is the norman Church of San Nicola (XII-XIII centuries): frescoes in Byzantine style were discovered in the apse.

A little bit further, in direction of Randazzo, is the Cuba of Santa Domenica, one of the most interesting examples of Byzantine architecture in Sicily. Cubas are Byzantine chapels built by monks between VII and IX centuries. The Cuba of Santa Domenica (VII century) has a squared greek cross plan and, as well as the Cuhrch of San Nicola, the apse facing to east while the main portal faces to west.

The name

The village is quoted as Castrileonis in a document by Ruggero I dating from 1092. The name means "great castle": the augmentative suffix added to the medieval Latin word castellum indicates its regalness, and so does its coat of arms representing a castle and two crouching lions. From 1151 until 1236 on diplomas the place is indicated as Castellio.

The product

At Castiglione, City of Wine, there are several wine industries that produce DOC Etna wine, a black, sturdy and warm wine.

The recipe

Macaroni with pork meat sauce and ricotta cheese. A typical dish of the area are also maccu broad beans. Meat is always cooked to the fire. Among the fabulous local cakes: pancakes made with ricotta cheese called sciauni.