In the heart of the Novara di Sicilia territory, on the border between the Peloritani valleys, rises Rocca Salvatesta—commonly called Rocca Novara—a mountain that stands out for its height, beauty, and mystery. Reaching approximately 1,340 meters above sea level, it is the second-highest peak in the Peloritani Mountains.
The Rock is known by several names: “Rocca Salvatesta” in the local dialect, “Rocca Novara” due to its close bond with the village below, and it is even nicknamed the “Matterhorn of Sicily” (Cervino di Sicilia) thanks to its slender, dominant silhouette.
Geologically, the mountain is composed of limestone, with outcrops that reveal ancient marine origins, confirmed by the presence of shells and fossils.
Below the peak, on the southern slope, lies a plateau that research suggests may have been the site of an Early Medieval settlement—perhaps the ancient “Noa,” from which the community of Novara di Sicilia later developed. Tangible signs of this past include ceramic fragments, tiles, and shards scattered across the plateau, along with a section of a wall identified in 2002 that likely formed part of the town’s defensive perimeter.
From the summit of the Rock, visitors are treated to a breathtaking spectacle: the view spans the surrounding valleys, stretching from the Promontory of Tindari all the way to the Strait of Messina. The slopes are blanketed in oak and pine forests, high-altitude meadows, rocky outcrops, and the remains of ancient “neviere” (ice houses), fossilized witnesses to traditional winter mountain life.
Visiting Rocca Novara means indulging in an experience that blends nature, history, and legend. It is the perfect destination for a rejuvenating excursion, offering a privileged vantage point over the Sicilian horizon and the chance to breathe in the atmosphere of a place that has shaped the life of mountain communities for centuries.
It is an opportunity to touch the Early Medieval memory of the Novara di Sicilia territory and to answer the call of the rock, the stone, and the slow rhythm of the Sicilian mountains.
