Vittoria Mini Guide
Where is Vittoria?
Vittoria is a town in the Regusa region in Sicily. The town sits at the foot of Monti Iblei. It is named after the founder of the town, the Countess of Modica Vittoria Colonna Enriquez.
How Would I Travel There?
From
Italy and Europe you can fly into
Catania Airport, Sicily’s biggest airport. It is 110 km away, so car hire is a good option for your transfer as well as exploring the rest of Sicily. It is an easy drive to Vittoria, using the 194 highway. You can also use the Trenitalia train service to travel from Italy and the ANAV bus service to explore the town.
What is There to see?
In the centre of town, start at the Piazza del Popolo – there you can see the Teatro Comunale and the Chiesa e il Convento delle Grazie. The neoclassical theatre has a beautiful façade and inside you can see the gold gallery and painted frescoes. The church was built in the 18th century baroque style and the interior has marble altars and wooden sculptures. You can also visit the Ruins of Camarina, an old Greek colony with a necropolis and the Temple of Athena. Many pottery items have been excavated there.
What Else can I do?
The area is mostly known for its agriculture, flowers are one of the town’s biggest exports. Visit a local market and try the local fruits and also olives and almonds. Look out for the traditional decorated Sicilian carts used for transporting goods, they are still made in Vittoria. Some of the best of the island’s wine is made there, try the Cerasuolo di Vittoria and Villa Fontane.
Where can I Stay?
Le Due Torri is a small hotel in Vittoria and was a former castle. It has gardens and an outdoor pool for you to enjoy or you can relax on the sun terrace with a drink from the hotel bar. The rooms are bright and airy and have free Wi-Fi.
Are There any Special Events?
The Feast of San Giovanni is held on the 11th January every year. It is believed that he saved the town from the 1693 earthquake; the town was relatively unscathed compared to the rest of the island. After the earthquake, his statue was found beheaded and this was seen as his sacrifice for the town and this day has been celebrated ever since.