{"id":17359,"date":"2024-05-01T07:48:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-01T07:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/uncategorized\/montalbano-elicona-and-the-mysterious-rocks-of-argimusco\/"},"modified":"2025-05-08T13:57:46","modified_gmt":"2025-05-08T13:57:46","slug":"montalbano-elicona-and-the-mysterious-rocks-of-argimusco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-messina\/montalbano-elicona-and-the-mysterious-rocks-of-argimusco\/","title":{"rendered":"What to see in Montalbano Elicona &#8211; The mysterious rocks of Argimusco"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<div class=\"kk-star-ratings kksr-auto kksr-align-left kksr-valign-top\"\n    data-payload='{&quot;align&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;17359&quot;,&quot;slug&quot;:&quot;default&quot;,&quot;valign&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;ignore&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;reference&quot;:&quot;auto&quot;,&quot;class&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;count&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;legendonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;readonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;score&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;starsonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;best&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;gap&quot;:&quot;7&quot;,&quot;greet&quot;:&quot;Vote article&quot;,&quot;legend&quot;:&quot;0\\\/5 - (0 votes)&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;24&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;What to see in Montalbano Elicona - The mysterious rocks of Argimusco&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;_legend&quot;:&quot;{score}\\\/{best} - ({count} {votes})&quot;,&quot;font_factor&quot;:&quot;1.25&quot;}'>\n            \n<div class=\"kksr-stars\">\n    \n<div class=\"kksr-stars-inactive\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"1\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"2\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"3\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"4\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"5\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n<div class=\"kksr-stars-active\" style=\"width: 0px;\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                \n\n<div class=\"kksr-legend\" style=\"font-size: 19.2px;\">\n            <span class=\"kksr-muted\">Vote article<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-messina\/montalbano-elicona-and-the-mysterious-rocks-of-argimusco\/#Introduction\" >Introduction<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-messina\/montalbano-elicona-and-the-mysterious-rocks-of-argimusco\/#What_to_see_in_Montalbano_Elicona\" >What to see in Montalbano Elicona<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-messina\/montalbano-elicona-and-the-mysterious-rocks-of-argimusco\/#The_rocks_of_Argimusco\" >The rocks of Argimusco<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-messina\/montalbano-elicona-and-the-mysterious-rocks-of-argimusco\/#The_origins_and_shape_of_the_rocks\" >The origins and shape of the rocks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-messina\/montalbano-elicona-and-the-mysterious-rocks-of-argimusco\/#Evidence_of_human_presence\" >Evidence of human presence<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-messina\/montalbano-elicona-and-the-mysterious-rocks-of-argimusco\/#The_forest_of_Malabotta\" >The forest of Malabotta<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-messina\/montalbano-elicona-and-the-mysterious-rocks-of-argimusco\/#The_village_of_Montalbano_Elicona_and_the_castle\" >The village of Montalbano Elicona and the castle<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-messina\/montalbano-elicona-and-the-mysterious-rocks-of-argimusco\/#Where_to_eat_in_Montalbano_Elicona\" >Where to eat in Montalbano Elicona<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-messina\/montalbano-elicona-and-the-mysterious-rocks-of-argimusco\/#Interactive_map_%E2%80%93_Points_of_interest_in_purple\" >Interactive map &#8211; Points of interest in purple<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-messina\/montalbano-elicona-and-the-mysterious-rocks-of-argimusco\/#What_to_see_around_Montalbano_Elicona\" >What to see around Montalbano Elicona<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-messina\/montalbano-elicona-and-the-mysterious-rocks-of-argimusco\/#Typical_products_of_Montalbano_Elicona\" >Typical products of Montalbano Elicona<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Introduction\"><\/span>Introduction<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before we find out what to see in Montalbano Elicona, let&#8217;s start with a brief introduction. The village is located  <strong>in the Peloritani Mountains, a mountain range in northern Sicily whose highest peak touches 1374 meters. It is a magical place, immersed in the silence of nature<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here, hidden in the mountains, we find a small treasure shrouded in mystery,  <strong>the Argimusco. It is a plateau with huge rocks, many of which have wonderful anthropomorphic and zoomorphic forms (The oracle, the warrior, the mammoth, the Sicilian, the eagle and many others).<\/strong> They are also located in a magnificent place, on a plateau in the middle of nature, with a splendid 360 degree panorama that sweeps between Etna and the Aeolian Islands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tip from Topsecretsicily<\/strong>: If you wish, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.viator.com\/it-IT\/tours\/Messina\/ARGIMUSCO-TREKKING-AT-MONTALBANO-ELICONA\/d4814-23689P32?pid=P00126324&amp;mcid=42383&amp;medium=link&amp;campaign=ArgimuscoTop\">book a 2-hour guided trek among these mysterious megaliths<\/a>. Included in the tour is a visit to the castle of Montalbano Elicona and a tasting of typical products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_see_in_Montalbano_Elicona\"><\/span>What to see in Montalbano Elicona<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_rocks_of_Argimusco\"><\/span>The rocks of Argimusco<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"38211\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/1200px-Salnitro_e_Aquila-1024x683-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-38211\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/1200px-Salnitro_e_Aquila-1024x683-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/1200px-Salnitro_e_Aquila-1024x683-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/1200px-Salnitro_e_Aquila-1024x683-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"38218\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Guerriero_Argimusco-683x1024-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-38218\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Guerriero_Argimusco-683x1024-1.jpg 683w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Guerriero_Argimusco-683x1024-1-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"38212\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Etna_da_argimusco_sicilia-1024x768-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-38212\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Etna_da_argimusco_sicilia-1024x768-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Etna_da_argimusco_sicilia-1024x768-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Etna_da_argimusco_sicilia-1024x768-1-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Etna_da_argimusco_sicilia-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"What to see in Montalbano Elicona - Argimusco, Montalbano Elicona\" class=\"wp-image-6271\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Etna_da_argimusco_sicilia-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Etna_da_argimusco_sicilia-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Etna_da_argimusco_sicilia-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Etna_da_argimusco_sicilia-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Etna_da_argimusco_sicilia-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Etna_da_argimusco_sicilia.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Etna_da_argimusco,_sicilia.JPG\">Girtompir<\/a> , CC0, via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Salnitro_e_Aquila-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Rock eagle, Argimusco, Montalbano Elicona\" class=\"wp-image-6287\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Salnitro_e_Aquila-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Salnitro_e_Aquila-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Salnitro_e_Aquila-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Salnitro_e_Aquila.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Saltpetre and eagle &#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Pietra_dell%27Alambicco.jpg\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Salnitro_e_Aquila.jpg\"> Graziella Milazzo<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\"> CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-le-origini-e-la-forma-delle-rocce\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_origins_and_shape_of_the_rocks\"><\/span>The origins and shape of the rocks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Studies carried out seem to show that it was wind and rain that gave these original shapes to the rocks<\/strong>. It must be said, however, that no in-depth studies or archaeological excavations have been carried out yet, although this is the most likely theory. <strong>However, this seems to have been a sacred place and place of worship since the Neolithic<\/strong> period, as scholar Andrea Orlando recounts in this fine video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Argimusco - Il Mistero delle Pietre\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EchQNpC9pWY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-le-prove-della-presenza-umana\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Evidence_of_human_presence\"><\/span>Evidence of human presence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Evidence of human presence in this sacred place is manifold<\/strong>. In the Water Cliff, where a prayerful (a praying human figure) seems to take shape,  <strong>A rectangular-shaped basin was excavated<\/strong>, (probably to collect water) and a cave tomb and a rock palmento with a hexagonal basin (probably used to make wine), also dug into the rock, was found in the area.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Next to the Cliff of Water is the Cliff of Fire.<strong> Here is the Seven Steps Rock, probably used as an observation point<\/strong>. It is made up of 7 steps carved on it, which lead to the top of the rock itself with a beautiful view to the west. Taking into consideration the lack of archaeological excavations, it is not yet possible to define the dating of all these finds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Tetragramma_con_9_scalini-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Steps in the rock, Argimusco, Montalbano Elicona\" class=\"wp-image-6284\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Tetragramma_con_9_scalini-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Tetragramma_con_9_scalini-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Tetragramma_con_9_scalini-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Tetragramma_con_9_scalini.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The rock with the carved steps (left side) v<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Tetragramma_con_9_scalini.jpg\"> Graziella Milazzo<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\"> CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Vasca_3_-_Argimusco-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Argimusco, water basin, Montalbano Elicona\" class=\"wp-image-6279\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Vasca_3_-_Argimusco-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Vasca_3_-_Argimusco-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Vasca_3_-_Argimusco-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Vasca_3_-_Argimusco-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Vasca_3_-_Argimusco-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Vasca_3_-_Argimusco-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Water tank &#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Vasca_3_-_Argimusco.JPG\"> Davide Mauro<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\"> CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Curiosity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As mentioned the anthropomorphic and zoomorphic shapes of the rocks are most likely the result of nature&#8217;s action, there is, however, a curious fact. <strong>The eagle-shaped rock (the resemblance is very strong indeed) indicates the direction in which a cave tomb, discovered a short distance away<\/strong>, is located. As chance would have it, for the ancients the eagle had the task of accompanying the deceased on their journey to the afterlife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-il-borgo-di-montalbano-elicona-e-il-bosco-di-malabotta\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_forest_of_Malabotta\"><\/span>The forest of Malabotta<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Riserva_naturale_orientata_Bosco_di_Malabotta_04-1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Wood of Malabotta\" class=\"wp-image-6291\" style=\"width:880px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Riserva_naturale_orientata_Bosco_di_Malabotta_04-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Riserva_naturale_orientata_Bosco_di_Malabotta_04-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Riserva_naturale_orientata_Bosco_di_Malabotta_04-1.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Secular oak &#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Riserva_naturale_orientata_Bosco_di_Malabotta_04.jpg\"> Davide Mauro<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\"> CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A few hundred meters away is also <strong>the centuries-old forest of Malabotta<\/strong>, <strong>with oaks as old as 600 years<\/strong>. These are what remains of the ancient forests that once covered much of Sicily.  <strong>You can get there in 5 minutes by car starting from the Argimusco parking lot<\/strong>, proceed slowly though, because the road is full of potholes. Once you arrive at the entrance, leave your car and proceed on foot along the path that goes into the woods, keeping to the right. In order not to get lost, since information is lacking anyway, it is best to follow the main trail and then go straight ahead. <strong>After about 30 minutes of dense forest, the first nice viewpoint opens up<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-E1_Bosco_di_Malabotta-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Wood of Malabotta\" class=\"wp-image-6301\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-E1_Bosco_di_Malabotta-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-E1_Bosco_di_Malabotta-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-E1_Bosco_di_Malabotta-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-E1_Bosco_di_Malabotta-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:E1_Bosco_di_Malabotta.jpg\">Kondephy<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\"> CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Bosco_di_Malabotta_04-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Wood of Malabotta\" class=\"wp-image-6302\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Bosco_di_Malabotta_04-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Bosco_di_Malabotta_04-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Bosco_di_Malabotta_04-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Bosco_di_Malabotta_04.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The path &#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Bosco_di_Malabotta_04.jpg\"> Davide Mauro<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\"> CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_village_of_Montalbano_Elicona_and_the_castle\"><\/span>The village of Montalbano Elicona and the castle<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Castello_di_Montalbano_Elicona_03-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Montalbano Elicona Castle\" class=\"wp-image-6294\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Castello_di_Montalbano_Elicona_03-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Castello_di_Montalbano_Elicona_03-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Castello_di_Montalbano_Elicona_03-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Castello_di_Montalbano_Elicona_03.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">View from the castle &#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Castello_di_Montalbano_Elicona_03.JPG\"> Effems<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\"> CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>In addition to the woods and Agrimusco it is also recommended to visit the medieval village of Montalbano Elicona, which belongs to the list of the most beautiful medieval villages in Italy. Here you can visit the beautiful Norman castle<\/strong>, the various charming churches and chapels and get lost in its medieval alleys. From the castle you can admire the surrounding wooded hills, the medieval village from above, the sea and the Aeolian islands. Inside are displayed fascinating ancient weapons and the clothes of the king, queen and sons.<em> <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Castello_Montalbano_Elicona_11_09_2019_07.jpg\" alt=\"Arms Museum - Montalbano Elicona Castle\" class=\"wp-image-6295\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Castello_Montalbano_Elicona_11_09_2019_07.jpg 960w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Castello_Montalbano_Elicona_11_09_2019_07-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Castello_Montalbano_Elicona_11_09_2019_07-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The weapons museum inside the castle &#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Castello_(Montalbano_Elicona)_11_09_2019_07.jpg\"> Effems<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\"> CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Ticket 3 Euro, opening hours: Tue-Sun: 09: 30-13: 30; 15: 00-19: 00. Times and fares may change.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-dove-mangiare-a-montalbano-elicona\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_to_eat_in_Montalbano_Elicona\"><\/span>Where to eat in Montalbano Elicona<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to try good typical food without spending a lot, you can go to the Taberna di Arnaldo, really nice and well furnished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/rwrwedfsfds-1024x723.jpg\" alt=\"Taberna di Arnaldo, Montalbano Elicona\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/eerewfsdfvds-1024x668.jpg\" alt=\"Taberna di Arnaldo, Montalbano Elicona\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-mappa-interattiva-punti-d-interesse-in-viola\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Interactive_map_%E2%80%93_Points_of_interest_in_purple\"><\/span>Interactive map &#8211; Points of interest in purple<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To locate you click on the zoom symbol on the map at the top right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1mKNAhXwuR5TOgQJsWZXPRME2MCkXkJFS\" width=\"999\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-cosa-vedere-nei-dintorni-di-montalbano-elicona\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_see_around_Montalbano_Elicona\"><\/span>What to see around Montalbano Elicona<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Montalbano Elicona is located in the province of Messina. Here you will find listed the places to visit in<a href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-messina\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Messina and surroundings<\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-prodotti-tipici-di-montalbano-elicona\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Typical_products_of_Montalbano_Elicona\"><\/span>Typical products of Montalbano Elicona<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The typical products of Montalbano Elicona are linked to the agricultural and pastoral world. So let&#8217;s talk about homemade macaroni with pork sauce, fresh salted and baked ricotta, salami, olive oil and much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The town is located in the province of Messina. Here you will find tips on<a href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/food\/what-to-eat-in-messina-and-surroundings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Find out what to eat in and around Messina\"> what to eat in Messina and surroundings<\/a> , here instead you find the<a href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/food\/typical-sicilian-dishes-and-products\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Discover typical Sicilian dishes and products\"> typical Sicilian dishes.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30000,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[109],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17359","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-province-of-messina"],"aioseo_notices":[],"modified_by":"Dario Lo Turco","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17359","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17359"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17359\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51136,"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17359\/revisions\/51136"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30000"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17359"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17359"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17359"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}