Savoca: The Elderberry Village Suspended Between History and Cinema

Perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna, in the heart of the Val d’Agrò, Savoca is a jewel of eastern Sicily and a proud member of The Most Beautiful Villages of Italy. Its lava-stone-paved alleys, local stone portals, Sicilian-tiled rooftops, and boundless panoramas give visitors the impression of stepping into a place suspended between time and myth.

The name “Savoca” seems to derive from the elderberry plant (savucu in dialect), which once grew abundantly in the area; a sprig of elderberry still appears today on the village’s medieval coat of arms.

What to See in Savoca

The entrance to the village is through the 14th-century city gate, with its pointed arch in local stone, leading into the historic center. Here you’ll find the ancient Town Hall, the Archimandrite’s Palace, and the site of the old medieval synagogue.

The Church of San Nicolò (13th century), built on a rocky spur, seems suspended over the void and became famous as a filming location for The Godfather, along with Bar Vitelli, housed in an elegant 18th-century palace.

The Church of San Michele, dating before 1250, features Sicilian-Gothic portals and frescoes, while the Mother Church (12th century) preserves Romanesque capitals, Byzantine frescoes, and underground chambers once used for mummification. The Capuchin Convent Catacombs still hold the dressed remains of local notables and clergy.

Not to be missed is Mount Calvario, an ancient hermitage transformed into a church in the 18th century, with a Via Crucis carved into the rock.

Culture, Events, and Traditions

Savoca’s traditions live on throughout the year:

• At Easter, the evocative live re-enactment of the Passion of Christ takes place at Mount Calvario.
• In August, the feast of Santa Lucia is celebrated with the characteristic ’u diavulazzu.
• In November, Savoca Sapori highlights local products and crafts.
• At Christmas, the streets host a charming Living Nativity Scene.

What to See Around Savoca

Nearby you can visit Forza d’Agrò, another medieval village with splendid churches and sea views, and the city of Taormina, with its famous Greek Theatre. A short distance away lies the Abbey of Saints Peter and Paul of d’Agrò, an extraordinary example of Norman-Byzantine architecture.

Hurry to discover Savoca—you won’t regret it!

Cover photo credits: Porojnicu Stelian