Via dei Frati

• Length:

  166 km

• Stages:

  8

• Departure:

  Caltanissetta - Variante di Partenza : San Cataldo

• Arrival:

  Cefalù

The Cammino is configured as a collage of itineraries and sacred routes in the Sicilian hinterland to shrines and places of faith often located in areas outside population centers. The first shrine is that of the Signuri of Bilici to which devotees from neighboring towns , Caltanissetta, San Cataldo, and Resuttano, as well as those from many towns in the Madonite area, go on pilgrimage. In fact historically the territory , although geographically distant, has always dialogued since for centuries it was under the common rule of the Ventimiglia family. The second shrine is that of the Madonna dell’Olio near the center of Blufi, with its characteristic oil fountain to which pilgrims repute beneficial properties. The third shrine is the most mountainous with its 1819 meters above sea level, that of the Madonna dell’Alto, founded by Blessed Guglielmo Gnoffi of Polizzi Generosa, who died in Castelbuono where he became co-patron of the town, capital of the Ventimiglia family. The Fourth Shrine is that of the Holy Spirit placed at the centers of the sumptuous village of Gangi. The Fifth is that placed annexed to the convent of Gibilmanna, 8 km from Cefalù, where a sumptuous marble altar contains the image of the Virgin with the Child in her arms. Nature, Culture, Faith and Science intersect along the Way of Via dei Frati.

Water sources are found along the way in the towns and in the mountainous area in the route. More scarce in the first two STAGES, although present.

STAGE 1: Caltanissetta – Marianopoli (24.22 km and Positive elevation gain 674 m Negative elevation gain 558 m).

The path starts from Via Pietro Leone (S.P. 128) in Caltanissetta and continues following S.P. 155. At the intersection with S.P. 44 we take a left and find the entrance to a path marked by yellow arrows. We rejoin S.P. 44 and later leave it to take S.P. 145. At the next intersection we follow the direction Marianopoli on S.P. 42 to the Mimiani railway tunnel. Here we leave the asphalt and continue along the uphill path through a centuries-old olive grove . We pass the ancient fountain with the moro head (the only water point) and the Masseria Mimiani. We continue after the masseria, find a fork with a small chapel high up on a rocky outcrop, and from here we can continue to the right and return to the provincial road for a kilometer and a half and then leave it again and follow the small paved road on the left that takes us to the gates of Marianopoli.

STAGE 2: Marianopoli – Resuttano (23.76 km and Positive elevation gain 484 m Negative elevation gain 611 m).

The STAGE begins in the town of Marianopoli and dives into the countryside toward the rural sanctuary of Castel Bilici, a place of faith for many towns in the Madonie area and the province of Nissena. It continues for a stretch of asphalt passing the village of Vicaretto where there is a possibility of a water point inside the village. . We take the path again in the direction of Resuttano, passing an old Waterfall Mill and reaching the Ciampannella area, where there is a drinking trough with water at all times of the year, before reaching our destination.

STAGE 3: Resuttano – Polizzi Generosa (24.08 km Positive elevation gain 757 m Negative elevation gain 466 m).

We proceed downhill toward the Imera River, which we ford to reach the ancient castle of Resuttano, an ancient farm fortified with cannons by the Ventimiglia family. You go back up to Blufi and can admire the mountains that in a few days will be crossed along the way. You visit the second shrine , that of the Madonna dell’Olio in Blufi and the mineral oil fountain believed to be miraculous. Via a stretch on asphalt you reach Castellana sicula, a town of murals with bars and rest stops. We continue on the main course and after the chapel of the MAdonna della catena , through Via Frazzucchi, a characteristic Madonite road made of paving stones, we reach the natural pass that separates the valley we crossed and that of northern Imera, dominated by the town of Polizzi generosa.

STAGE 4: Polizzi Generosa- Petralia Sottana (18.76 km Positive elevation gain 1,072 m Negative elevation gain 992 m).

It is one of the most challenging STAGES touching 1810 m.a.s.l. It starts by crossing the arches of the Roman aqueduct next to the large bevaio and reaching the entrance to the Sanguisughe picnic area. From here you continue inside the coniferous forest until you climb in altitude and enjoy the wide views of the Imera valley. Halfway along the trail you will come across the spring near the Madonna dell’Alto. The shrine is reached by climbing the steep and craggy slope, from the end of which there is a 360-degree view of the Madonie mountains, the villages below, as far as Enna, Caltanissetta, Etna and the Aeolian Islands. Returning back, we continue along the pilgrims’ path (Sentiero Italia) and descend toward Petralia Sottana.

STAGE 5: Petralia Sottana – Gangi (13.74 km Positive elevation gain 469 m Negative elevation gain 691 m).

Resting STAGE compared to the previous one. We start from Corso Agliata, in front of the war memorial, and climb to the area known as the “Cross.” From here we cross the Provincial Road and continue uphill on the trazzera towards Petralia Soprana: reference point the tennis court. When you arrive at the bevaio, proceed toward Via Acquedotto Romano to the Center of Petralia Soprana and the Church of Loreto. From here begins the descent to the ItalKali Plant . We follow the stream uphill and resume the climb toward the Pira area. At the edge of the state highway we continue the path towards Gangi downhill and after touching the lowest elevation a small climb, after an area with sheds, leads us to the Sanctuary of the Holy Spirit. From here it is all uphill to the top of the village where the Town Hall and the Mother Church are located.

STAGE 6: Gangi – Geraci Siculo (13.82 km Km Positive elevation gain 601 m Negative elevation gain 268 m).

From the cathedral one descends down Via Madrice to Via Anteria and finally to Via Porta di Conte to the State Highway. After the octagonal drinking trough we leave the S.S. and follow the path to the San Giovanni district. From here we plunge into a narrow path with traces of a mule track and at the lowest point a stone bridge. Climbing up toward Geraci we encounter cow pastures and small cultivated plots. The finish is on the state road near the Bevaio della Trinità. Having reached under the spur of the Castle we take the uphill road, Via Biscucco, then Via Cervo and finally Via Roma until we reach the Mother Church of Geraci Siculo.

STAGE 7: Geraci Siculo – Castelbuono (21.34 km Positive elevation gain 428 m Negative elevation gain 1,118 m).

From the Piazza del Popolo, we walk in front of the large Trinity Bevaio. From here the path goes on to the small country church of San Cosimano. The church is located at the end of a large meadow. After visiting it, turn back and continue the path a little hidden by vegetation, following the profile of the mountain . After passing a rocky area and some animal gates we come to the front of Serre d’Alfano and from here we go left cutting across the meadow uphill and following the red-white CAI markers and the arrows of Via dei Frati to the entrance of the path that goes in and out of the vegetation, crosses a holly grove and comes out on the open-air path to the rocky summit of the pass and from there downhill to the south where we intercept the Provincial Road. After a few hundred meters we come to the new entrance of the path on the left and enter a dense and varied shady area to Rocca di Gonato, where there is an elegant farmhouse, From here we reach the equipped area of San Foca and shortly after the historic Hermitage of Liccia , where we can make the STAGE point or continue with a long descent to Castelbuono.

STAGE 8: Castelbuono – Cefalù (25.72 km Positive elevation gain 949 m Negative elevation gain 1,315 m).

The concluding STAGE of the Way of Via dei Frati is proposed in its entirety although, as with other longer stages, it can be divided according to the wishes and needs of the Viandante to stop one more night along the Way or to reach the final destination. One can in this sense take the last steps by planning a stop in Isnello, or at the convent of Gibilmanna, or finally continuing on to Cefalù. Start from Piazza Margherita, the heart of Castelbuono, and walk downhill along Via Isnello and then uphill to the little church of the “santuzza” and from there along the route of the old Regia Trazzera until it intercepts S.P. 9. Once we reach Isnello we walk along Via Roma, Via S.S. Annunziata and Via Celso. After the steep descent to the valley we climb back up to Gibilmanna along the pilgrims’ way. From the shrine we proceed to the Salvabosco path and after a mountainous stretch we travel downhill toward Cefalù, cutting across the hairpin bends of S.P. 54 bis at several points.

Are there supermarkets? YES in every town grocery stores, bakeries and supermarkets.
Are there pharmacies? YES in every town crossed, Hospital in Caltanissetta , Petralia Sottana and Cefalù.

40% asphalt 60% other surface (dirt, paving, gravel road, etc.)

viadeifrati@gmail.com tel . 3284687434