Visit Corleone: full guide

Visit Corleone: discover this city made famous by the Coppola saga, yet having other attractions than its mafia history...

If it is true that Corleone was made famous by the saga films The Godfather of Francis Ford Coppola, we must not limit ourselves to it. Indeed, this town, located between Palermo and Agrigento, has some very interesting surprises in its heart.

If you would like to visit Corleone by film interest, you might stay on your hunger. Of course, you will find elements of the movies and characters, but Corleone is much richer than that why it is famous.

If it actually has a mafia past, it remains that today we visit Corleone for its Sicilian charm and authenticity. Then follow the guide!

Corleone and the mafia: a strand of history between reality and fiction

Corleone is a city whose foundation dates back to the 13th century, an era where the guelfes and gibelins were still opposed. Today, it is true that fiction has taken the step on reality. But there are links between the Sicilian Mafia and the city of Corleone.

Indeed, from the 19th century, it was the birthplace of the criminal organization. She then saw the birth of cruel and merciless personalities within her. Until the 20th century, it is considered that Sicilian mafia (the Cosa Nostra ) is one of the most influential criminal organizations in Europe. The Coppola saga thus correctly draws its inspiration.

But what we can see in the films does not quite represent the current Corleone. The mafia is part of the past, although some residual rumors always circulate from time to time.

Visiting Corleone has become pleasant. Especially if you like to confront the history of the island, its culture and its heritage. But it is also to be charmed by the charm of which its ancient alleys are full of.

What to do and see in Corleone?

In Corleone even

Downtown

How to visit Corleone without discovering its city centre? This is the lively place where these moments of life are exchanged. The shops, restaurants and small troquets largely ensure the memory of Coppola’s work, with numerous displays.

You will survey Corleone as a local, through narrow streets and paved roads. Typically Sicilian, Corleone has managed to retain its ancient charm of village, with its walls sometimes damaged, rodent by time and that modernity does not replace.

However, take the time to stroll around, just for the pleasure of a summer walk.

The communal park

Located not far from the cemetery, this central park will give you a break during your visit. Breathe a good blow, you're in the city's mini-inch! Although this one does not suffer the starkness of urban pollution...

Like a little Central Park corleonese , the communal park is ideal to relax and enjoy the surrounding greenery. The fountain, palm aisles and other small trees scattered everywhere will almost make you forget that you are in Sicily.

Cascata delle Due Rocche

Real attraction of the corner, the Cascata delle Due Rocche (the Cascade des Deux Roches) attracts many tourists each year, summer and winter.

Located next to the Monastero del Santissimo Salvatore , the stunt seems to be swollen at the bottom of the vegetation. It comes into a small stretch of water before continuing its path through the old Sicilian mountains. However, it is a beautiful place to picnic or listen to nature.

Monastero del Santissimo Salvatore

On the mountainside, under the golden and green maquis rocks, the monastery seems first of all rather ravaged by time. Its facades are not the most maintained, but they are only facades.

The inside already pays much more mine. From medieval origin, the monastery housed at the time a community of Carmelite and Benedictine monks. Today, open to the public, you can see beautiful arches as well as a nice little garden, overlooking the nature.

But from the esplanade in front of the monastery, you will have a panoramic and breathtaking view of Corleone, its valleys, mountains and dwellings. A little more if you go to the last lights of the day, when a sun with orange light will light the city of Corleone differently and will revive its shadows...

The International Documentation Centre on Mafia and the Anti-Mafia Movement

The concept of Mafia is used or even abused and resonates very much in Corleone. As mentioned earlier, the streets of Corleone recall this episode of its history very regularly. Whether on behalf of the movie franchise, or not.

The Centre International de Documentation sur la Mafia et le mouvement Anti-Mafia (CIDMA) is a museum that offers double reading to its visitors. On the one hand, the episodicly tragic reality of Sicilian mafia. On the other, the struggle of justice to curb and repress the progress of the mafia.

For enthusiasts and curious, this discovery will be a real asset during your stay in Corleone.

Surroundings

Palermo

Palermo is no longer present, it is one of the most frequented cities in Sicily, from a tourist point of view. And for cause, she is the capital.

The atmosphere that reigns is unique in its kind: culture, modernity, tradition and dynamism, everything blends with it. If you choose to visit Corleone, we strongly recommend you book a day or two of your schedule to discover Palermo. There are many things to see: the palaces, Italy’s largest theatre beautiful places, catacombs ....

And of course, you must be able to enjoy the seaside, from which the Italian boot is visible according to the weather.

Riserva naturale della Ficuzza : Bosco della Ficuzza, Rocca Busambra, Gorgo del Drago

Located northeast of Corleone, this nature reserve is exceptional because it contains magnificent points of interest. Between the many hikes, simple walks or excursions that you can do, the natural space of Ficuzza is an immanquable during a stay in Corleone, or nearby.

The Bosco della Ficuzza Palace is particularly famous and represents an immanquable area. The hiking experts, you will find the Rocca Busambra experience, an altitude of 1,600 metres. It is possible to climb from the moment that vertigo is not a concern and that the equipment is sufficient (heavy, bag, sticks, etc.).

To finish, don't miss the Dragon Gorges ( Gorgo del Drago ), where canyoning tours are organized by the Association of Mountaineers of Sicily.

Where to eat in Corleone?

Despite its small size, Corleone has a few restaurants where you can enjoy authentic local dishes. Of course, you will not escape the traditional Italian cuisine with its pizzy , pasta and antipasti .

The restaurants in Corleone are scattered in the city centre but seems to follow a guideline, from north to south. Among them, the pizzeria Pizza Nasce , which offers delicious pizzy rich, greedy and garnished. This restaurant is located in the heart of Corleone, on a square where, precisely, a small terrace is installed for the beautiful days.

Otherwise, north of the city, the famous restaurant-pizzeria Gennaro Will delight the most greedy. Pizze , pasta , varied entrances, and even seafood, Gennaro has a rather complete card that will please the whole family. The atmosphere is friendly, with the generosity of the managers to guarantee you a pleasant moment.

Please note that Corleone restaurants are often closed in the afternoon . Indeed, they only open at times of restoration, often between 11:30 and 14:00 . So if you want to eat on the spot, think about organizing around these hours, otherwise you might find the doors closed.

How to get to Corleone?

To visit Corleone, the easiest way for you will be to transit through Palermo, one of the largest cities in Sicily. Who says big city, says tourist connections. You will then have the choice between:

• The car: or yours for rent. Count 1 hour travel during which you will only follow the path SS118 from point A to point B;

• The bus: it allows you to go to Corleone in 1h20. There are two departures a day, in both directions. A tourist office or the operator himself (Autolinee Gallo) will inform you about the schedules that are subject to change depending on the season. ;

• Or the cab. This is the most expensive option, but if you don’t have a car or the desire to transit by bus, it’s the solution. The routes will cost you between 60€ and 75€ and also last 1 hour. There are several taxi stations in Palermo and the easiest to find is obviously the one next to the train station in the city center.

Where to stay in Corleone?

Because of its reputation related to mafia and cinema, Corleone is a city that attracts tourists. This is why the hotel offer is there and you will have the choice between hotels, campsites, Airbnb and guest houses.

We recommend several things: the city center or the eccentric. Indeed, in the centre you can discover the nightlife of the city, its animations and perhaps enjoy its atmosphere to Sicilian. And if you get away slightly, you will have the joy of staying in beautiful villas, often with swimming pool. However, hotels are not left.

That said, we invite you to consult a Compare hotels before making your choice. You could fall on the ideal accommodation. A visit to the site Airbnb can also be a good idea. You will have more facilities to reconcile accommodation and travel budget.