Unravel the beauty of Militello in Val di Catania (Sicily), this year’s winner for best Italian borgo!
After months of anticipation and several rounds of voting, the verdict is in: Militello in Val di Catania, nestled in the heart of Sicily, has been crowned Italy’s Borgo dei Borghi 2025 — the most beautiful small town to visit this year.
Let’s discover the charm of this hidden gem at the foot of Mount Etna!
Cultural heritage
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002, Militello is a splendid showcase of the late Baroque era. The historic center is a tapestry of art and beauty, with over twenty churches and noble palaces gracing its streets. Among them, the former Abbey of San Benedetto stands in solemn grandeur, the third-largest Benedictine monastery in Sicily. While the ancient Church of Santa Maria la Vetere, founded in 1090, rests in a valley rich with both natural splendor and archaeological wonder.
Nature’s beauty
The district of Militello lies gently nestled in the Hyblaean Mountains, embraced by lush vegetation and graced by the enchanting Oxena Waterfalls, a natural marvel that flows year-round. It is fed by the ever-lively Oxena stream, in a canyon of lava origin. The landscape unfolds in a tapestry of green ravines and sunlit plains, where crystal waters dance over ancient basalt rocks, weaving nature and time into a serene, timeless harmony. A beautiful natural getaway just outside the town.
Sweet gastronomy
These whimsical sweets trace their origins to the Monastery of Saint Agata, where a nun first crafted the beloved recipe, hence their charming name, Cassatelline della Zia Monaca (Cassatiddini da za’ monaca, or “Aunt Nun’s Cassatelline”). Shaped like little square baskets, they are made of delicate, flaky shortcrust pastry and filled with a rich blend of almonds, fruit jam, chocolate, liqueur, cinnamon, and cloves. A glossy white glaze, oven-dried to perfection, crowns each one with a final touch of sweetness.
Contact us to plan your journey!
