Frederick II's castle and the megaliths of the Argimusco plateau
Montalbano Elicona, in the Nebrodi mountains in the province of Messina, is a medieval village of stone houses gathered around a great castle built by Frederick II of Swabia and transformed by Frederick III of Aragon into a royal summer residence. From its towers the view stretches to Etna and the Aeolian Islands. In 2015 it was voted "Borgo dei Borghi", Italy's favourite village.
A few kilometres away, on the plateau of the Argimusco, stand enormous sandstone megaliths shaped by the wind, some of which resemble human figures, an eagle or a praying woman. Their origin is natural, but many believe they were modified or used for rituals in prehistory, and the place is wrapped in mystery and suggestion, especially at sunset.
Tip: in August the village hosts a medieval festival; the Bosco di Malabotta, a nature reserve with ancient oaks, is nearby.
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