Agriturismo Monaco di Mezzo
Petralia Sottana | Palermo | SICILY
Contrada Monaco di Mezzo 90027 Petralia Sottana (Palermo)
For centuries Monaco di Mezzo has been the central point of the Monaco feudal estates, estates which are so extensive that they were divided into three hamlets: Monaco di Sopra (Upper Monaco), Monaco di Mezzo (Middle Monaco) and Monaco di Sotto (Lower Monaco) with their own large farms which were linked by tracks.
The farm and hamlet of Monaco di Mezzo nestles in a valley which is good for cultivating hard wheat.
The Monaco estate, a charitable bequest to the Church from Baron Agliata of Petralia Sottana, was sold by the Church Land Commissioners to Baron Michele Pottino in 1865 and, today, it is part of the estates of Marchesi Pottino.
Alongside traditional cereal, sheep and horse farming there is now agri-tourism.
The farm is equipped with a variety of self-contained apartments, a restaurant, a community area, horse-riding, swimming-pool, tennis-court, all of which are harmoniously in keeping with the surroundings.
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Services in Agriturismo Monaco di Mezzo
Next to the apartments is the equestrian area with stables, changing rooms, offices, saddle-room and approved show jumping arena.
There is also the possibility of skiing only half-an-hour away from Monaco di Mezzo at Piano Battaglia. Its unique ski-slopes have marvellous views reaching to the sea and Mount Etna. For the less-active, but no less adventurous, there are cross-country trips in four wheel drive vehicles with stops in other agritourist centres. Traditionalists will be pleased to know that Monaco di Mezzo is still an area rich in wildlife: rabbits, hares and partridges abound.
Monaco di Mezzo is linked into the network of tracks and bridle-ways which cover the Madonie so making a vast area available for trekking too.