Francofonte
Things to do, attractions, interesting facts
![Francofonte](/imgs/localita/francofonte.png)
Provincia: SR - Area: Siracusa surroundings
The first inhabited center was built in the fourteenth century by the will of some men to escape the clashes between the Catalan faction and the Latina in the nearby territory of Lentini. Thus it was built in an elevated position as it was less exposed to the risks of the surrounding plains. The farmhouse was then transformed into a fortress, with the construction of the keep and the fortified walls. Thus arose the first nucleus of the castle around which the town gradually developed.
What to see
Starting from Largo Botteghelle, which was the center of peasant life at the end of the eighteenth century, you can walk along Via Garibaldi where it is possible to admire some neoclassical buildings, the small church of San Cristoforo built for travellers, and the small temple of the Holy Cross, a chapel votive where farmers stopped returning from the fields. From the Belvedere you can enjoy a particular point of view which includes the Etna volcano and the sea of Priolo. Continuing along via Umberto you come across the birthplace of the writer Matteo Gaudioso, the portal of the church of Sant' Antonio da Padova, the church of Sant' Anna, the Mother Church with the paintings attributed to Pietro Novelli, and the church of San Gerolamo with adjoining clock tower. Of particular importance is Palazzo Belfiore, an example of Sicilian baroque work by the stonemasons Montalto and Cultrera. Absolutely interesting is the so-called "Downhill climb", the stretch of state road that connects Francofonte to Vizzini which, due to a strange game of optical illusion, seems like a climb although being, in reality, a downhill path.Tourist Map of Francofonte
![Church of the Holy Cross in Francofonte](/imgs/attrazioni/chiesa-santa-croce-francofonte_s.jpg)
Church of the Holy Cross in Francofonte
![Benedictine monastery in Francofonte](/imgs/attrazioni/monastero-benedettine-francofonte_s.jpg)
Benedictine monastery in Francofonte
![Church of Sant'Antonio da Padova in Francofonte](/imgs/attrazioni/chiesa-san-antonio-da-padova-francofonte_s.jpg)
Church of Sant'Antonio da Padova in Francofonte
![Basilica of Sant'Antonio Abate in Francofonte](/imgs/attrazioni/basilica-san-antonio-abate-francofonte_s.jpg)
Basilica of Sant'Antonio Abate in Francofonte
![College of Canons in Francofonte](/imgs/attrazioni/collegio-dei-canonici-francofonte_s.jpg)
College of Canons in Francofonte
![Alagona Castle in Francofonte](/imgs/attrazioni/castello-alagona-francofonte_s.jpg)
Alagona Castle in Francofonte
![Gravina-Cruyllas Palace in Francofonte](/imgs/attrazioni/palazzo-gravina-cruyllas-francofonte_s.jpg)
Gravina-Cruyllas Palace in Francofonte
![Portal of the Church of Sant'Agata in Francofonte](/imgs/attrazioni/portale-chiesa-san-agata-francofonte_s.jpg)
Portal of the Church of Sant'Agata in Francofonte
![Church of San Gerolamo in Francofonte](/imgs/attrazioni/chiesa-san-gerolamo-francofonte_s.jpg)
Church of San Gerolamo in Francofonte
![Church of the Guardian Angel in Francofonte](/imgs/attrazioni/chiesa-angelo-custode-francofonte_s.jpg)
Church of the Guardian Angel in Francofonte
![Church of the Carmine in Francofonte](/imgs/attrazioni/chiesa-del-carmine-francofonte_s.jpg)
Church of the Carmine in Francofonte
![Church of San Cristoforo in Francofonte](/imgs/attrazioni/chiesa-san-cristoforo-francofonte_s.jpg)
Church of San Cristoforo in Francofonte
![Piazza Dante in Francofonte](/imgs/attrazioni/piazza-dante-francofonte_s.jpg)
Piazza Dante in Francofonte
![Villa Idria in Francofonte](/imgs/attrazioni/villa-idria-francofonte_s.jpg)
Villa Idria in Francofonte
![Church of the Carmine Vecchio in Francofonte](/imgs/attrazioni/chiesa-del-carmine-vecchio-francofonte_s.jpg)
Church of the Carmine Vecchio in Francofonte
![Giardinello fountain in Francofonte](/imgs/attrazioni/fontana-giardinello-francofonte_s.jpg)
Giardinello fountain in Francofonte
![Chadra Castle in Francofonte](/imgs/attrazioni/castello-chadra-francofonte_s.jpg)
Chadra Castle in Francofonte
![Gadera Park in Francofonte](/imgs/attrazioni/parco-gadera-francofonte_s.jpg)
Gadera Park in Francofonte
![Canali Fountain in Francofonte](/imgs/attrazioni/fontana-canali-francofonte_s.jpg)
Canali Fountain in Francofonte
![Church of the Annunziata Extra Terra in Francofonte](/imgs/attrazioni/chiesa-annunziata-extra-terra-francofonte_s.jpg)
Church of the Annunziata Extra Terra in Francofonte
What to eat
Typical food, local wines and drinks, traditional dish to taste in Francofonte
You can obviously taste all the typical products of Sicilian cuisine, the most well-known ones, such as cannoli, Sicilian cassata, arancini, etc. But there are some specialties typical of this area that are more difficult to find in other areas of Sicily.
The city of Francofonte is renowned for the production of the Blood Orange of Sicily. It is believed that the Tarocco variety of blood oranges originated in this area and that from here it first spread to the Catania Plain and then throughout Sicily. The Tarocco di Francofonte PGI is considered the most valuable blood orange.To view a list of business activity within tourism in FrancofonteClick here
Where to stay
Best Offers of Vacation Rental, hotel, B&B where to sleep in Francofonte
Nearby Places
Below you will find a list of the most beautiful places to visit in the surroundings of Francofonte. The places are located at a maximum distance of about an half hour by car. Good fun!
Scordia
Central Sicily
Militello In Val di Catania
Central Sicily
Buccheri
Siracusa surroundings
Ferla
Siracusa surroundings