The City of Naso is a town of the Nebrodi rich in art and history: located 498 m above sea level, this village takes its name from the Latin term Nasus which means "ledge", just for its strategic position overlooking the sea. Although today it has little more than 3500 inhabitants, once this nebroid center was so vast to earn the nickname of "City" Monuments, churches, breathtaking views: it is difficult to get bored in a country like this. Let's see together its incredible history.

Between history and myth

The birth of this country has its roots in Greek mythology: it seems, in fact, that its foundation dates back to 1218 BC by Agathirnos, son of the God of Winds Aeolus. Not much is known about the ancient Agatirso (so called in honor of its founder), but the first historical information comes directly from the High Middle Ages. In this period Naso acquires greatness and prestige thanks to the domination of the feudatories Ventimiglia: under the lordship of Carlo Ventimiglia, the nebroide center, in fact, earns the appellative of County. For its continuous and growing importance at that time, it also received the appellative of City. Naso, moreover, just for its isolated position, became center of various monastic orders. In 1475 arrived the Friars Minor Observant of St. Francis followed, a few years later, by the Capuchins.

From the 17th century to today

Between the 17th and 18th centuries there were numerous earthquakes that razed the old castle and part of the walls to the ground . The inhabited center that we see today is the result of the reconstruction carried out after these numerous natural calamities. In 1788 it became a state-owned city by decree of Ferdinand IV and in 1820 feudalism was finally abolished with the election of the first mayor. From this moment on, different popular pushes and socio-economic issues created different movements in the city that led to the disintegration of the town of Naso: part of the territory acquired independence on June 25, 1925, giving life to the town of Capo d'Orlando.

History of San Cono

This nebroidal center is very famous for being the place of birth of San Cono, patron of Naso and of the homonymous country in the Catanese. San Cono was born in 1139 during the reign of Ruggero II of Sicily and he was the heir of the prestigious family of Navacita. Despite the displeasure of his parents, the Saint soon decided to distance himself from his destiny as a rich nobleman, taking his vows in the nearby Monastery of San Basilio. A devotee and lover of the contemplative life, he later retired to the Grotto of St. Michael, where he lived as a hermit for several years. Seized by the desire to visit the Holy Places, he left for Jerusalem and, on his return, learned of the death of his parents. Remaining faithful to his promises, he gave all his wealth to charity and retired permanently in the Cave of St. Michael where he had lived years before.

The legend of the death of San Cono

Legend has it that it was in that place that San Cono found death: on a Good Friday, the bells of Naso rang without anyone touching them and this made the people of Naso rush to the cave of the Saint. Here they found themselves in front of a San Cono raised from the ground, sitting and in a state of ecstasy.

What to see in Naso: here are 15 places you can't miss!

After having told you a bit of history, now let's see what you can visit in this small town of Nebrodi.

1. Church of SS. Apostles Filippo and Giacomo

The Mother Church, dedicated to the Holy Apostles Philip and James, is the first church of Naso for history and importance. Founded by the first settlers who settled in Naso, it is realized in Renaissance style and contains works of extraordinary historical and artistic value. The building of worship, with three naves, is characterized by the presence of ten side altars dedicated to different saints. Of particular interest are the marble statues representing "L'Assunta e gli angeli" and "La Madonna col Bambino", as well as a wooden crucifix of the 17th century. Of extraordinary charm is the Chapel of the Rosary, placed around 1930 in place of the chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It is an extraordinary marble masterpiece by the Palermitan sculptor Bartolomeo Travaglia that crosses theology with the myths of ancient Greece, an incredible historical path between religions, beliefs and esoteric mysteries.

2. Chapel of the Rosary

The Chapel of the Rosary, one of the most important works of Sicilian Baroque, is located inside the Mother Church of Naso of the Apostles Filippo and Giacomo. The Boscarino defines it as "the most sumptuous and richest realization" existing in the province of Messina. Its sumptuous decoration represents one of the most important references of the seventeenth-century decoration and sculpture of the whole Sicilian island.

3. Temple of San Cono

The Temple of San Cono, authentic jewel of the 16th century in Sicily, is dedicated to the patron saint of the town. Erected in correspondence of the cave of San Michele, the Church is characterized by the presence of several architectural elements. Stone arches supported by columns, Doric capitals and a portal richly decorated with vines and floral elements make this church a unique structure. Inside, paintings of the seventeenth century embellish the furniture, such as the canvas depicting the Madonna della Mercede attributed to Francesco Napoli. The Church was destroyed by a terrible fire on January 25, 1920 and immediately rebuilt by the will of the citizens. The bell tower of '400 is the only original structure left of the building..

4. Crypt of San Cono

In the splendid crypt in baroque style are kept the mortal remains of San Cono. Finely decorated marbles are surmounted by paintings depicting the many wonders attributed to the patron saint of Naso. The Crypt of San Cono present within the Temple dedicated to the Navacita Saint, was built above another church in the shape of a Latin cross, of which it occupies one side and, protected by three iron curtains and seven keys, holds the relics of the Saint inside silver urns. The Crypt is a work of art of inestimable value, rich in precious marbles and paintings depicting the prodigies of San Cono Abate. Examples of such works are the blessing to the town of Naso, the moment in which he extirpates the worm from the ear of the son of the Governor of Naso and San Cono in ecstasy at the moment of his death .

5. Church of S. Biagio

The small Church of San Biagio, situated in the homonymous small square, is built in local stone. On the portal it is possible to read the inscription 1739, year in which Naso was hit by a serious earthquake. The interior has a nave and two aisles, but it is seriously degraded because of the works following the earthquake of 1978. The painting of Giuseppe Tomasi representing San Biagio in pontifical clothes, has been transferred for safety reasons in the Mother Church.

6. Convent of the Minor Observant Friars

  Of the original complex of the fifteenth century you can admire the remains of the walls of the convent. Several earthquakes, starting with the one in 1613, almost completely destroyed the complex. Inside, however, it will still be possible to observe the cloister, enriched by monumental decorated columns and elegant capitals and the Church of Santa Maria di Gesù, whose Gothic entrance portal bears the date of foundation of the complex.

7. Church of Santa Maria di Gesù 

The Church of Santa Maria del Gesù dates back to 1400 and is located inside the Convent of the Friars Minor Observant. The church has a single nave and is the result of several reconstructions carried out between 800 and 900.

Works inside

On the high altar there is the "sacred custody", a Eucharistic ciborium in the shape of a small temple, made of pine wood carved and dating back to 1694. Behind the presbytery is the sarcophagus of the noble Artale Cardona of 1477, attributed to the workshop of Domenico Gagini. Of the four small allegorical statues of the Virtues that characterized him, three are preserved in the Museum of Sacred Art of Naso, while the other has been lost. The Cloister of the Minori Osservanti and the other artifacts have been the subject of recent restoration and currently host cultural events of interest.

8.  Parisi Palace

Palazzo Parisi is a building with an irregular plan that overlooks Via Mazzini and Via Libertà. The main facade is decorated with graffito and stucco motifs, probably made at the beginning of the twentieth century along with balconies with wrought iron railings in Art Nouveau style. The three sandstone entrance portals are decorated with carvings and floral motifs..

9. The Belvedere

he Belvedere is an enchanting panoramic point that overlooks the sea and from which it is possible to admire a suggestive view of the sea and the Aeolian Islands.

10. Operating Room Tenent Giuseppe Paterniti

The Operating Room named after Lieutenant Giuseppe Paterniti is the only remaining part of the ancient hospital Santa Maria della Pietà di Naso dating back to the second half of 1500. The main facade is the only element in neo-gothic style present in the town.

11. Piccolo Palace

Palazzo Piccolo is one of the most important noble palaces of the city of Naso. Belonging to the Family Piccolo of Calanovella is composed of three floors: the first floor consisted of fifteen rooms, the second floor, the noble one, consisting of seventeen rooms almost five meters high and an attic floor. Inside there was also a chapel dedicated to Maria Santissima del Rosario.

12. Museum of Sacred Art

The Museum of Sacred Art, set up in "the Catacombs of San Cono", under the church of the same name, exhibits furnishings from the city's places of worship and other liturgical objects. Opened to the public in May 2002, the Museum is divided into four sections. It presents to visitors works and furnishings ranging from the fifteenth to the eighteenth century among which there is the Madonna col Bambino Dormiente, a wooden panel depicting the Madonna col Bambino Dormiente dating back to the early decades of the sixteenth century and is ascribed to the circle of Joos van Clèeve (Antwerp 1485 ca. - 1540)

13. Beach of Ponte Naso

If you have the desire of sea, just go to the beach Ponte Naso, located a few steps from the famous beach of Brolo. It is the ideal place for those who want to spend the day in tranquility, it is very large and not very crowded. It has a crystal clear sea with shades of green and blue and where on clear days you can see the Aeolian Islands up close.

14. Trekking Path "Le 4 strade"

Do you want to take a break from the historical-artistic route, and you don't know what else to see in Naso? Then we recommend the trekking route "The 4 roads". It is a naturalistic circuit of 8 kilometers consisting of several paths. Each road retraces the ancient rural life of the area, from crops to factories, to churches. The fruits of the cultivations have represented for Naso an important source of economy that developed around the inhabited center. The trekking route "Le 4 strade" crosses natural environments still uncontaminated and of great attraction. An example is the Cave of the Devil, panoramic place full of suggestion and mystery. All paths invite the visitor to observe fields and olive groves, country churches, quiet villages and breathtaking views.

15. Agatirso Club of Naso

The aristocratic Agatirso Club of Naso has over 150 years of history. Established in 1865, it has collected a secular witness: from the free meeting of families from '200 and up to '700 in the Accademia degli Audaci was born, in 1865, on the initiative of the lawyer Giuseppe Giuffrè, the Agatirso. The Club was closed by authority of the fascist regime for the stubborn liberal culture of its members, but resumed its activities immediately after the twenty years. Once, on the vault of the hall, there were paintings inspired by Hamlet made by the artist Luigi Fleri from Milazzo. But the necessary restorations following the earthquake of 1908 caused the cancellation of the decorations.

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