Sicily’s Dreamy Southwest Mountain Towns

I’ve held off from writing this article for some time. Personal reason’s have held me back I guess, but it is time. Almost long over due and I’ve been questioned why multiple times. “Timing is everything” I tell the one’s asking. This article hit’s home, literally. I’m blessed to own a home in Alessandria Della Rocca and have spent lots of time in Cianciana. I figured I needed to do this article justice and make the residents proud. The people here are humble, resilient, extremely hard working and the hospitality that I’ve been shown is second to none. They take the utmost pride in their communities and it shows.

I’m not really sure how I found Alessandria Della Rocca & Cianciana. Locals always ask me why here? Why not buy elsewhere? Why not buy in a big city? Honestly, I like to think that the area’s energy summoned me to its location and I was brought here for a reason. Like it was meant to be or I was supposed to be here. If you ever make it here you’ll see why I chose to buy here. Located in the southwest of Sicily, in the heart of the Agrigento region. Both towns are trapped in time, slowly adapting to whatever today’s society modern way of thinking is. Luckily the old ways are the only ways here. A true authentic Sicilian day to day life style is still practiced and I hope it stays that way. The charm of small town living is the appeal, the countryside it’s portrait and a local community that cares about their neighbors, is reason enough to fall in love with this location.

Alessandria Della Rocca & Cianciana are located in the mountains and surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. Driving down the mountains, you can be at Seccagrande(local beach town) in 25 minutes and either Agrigento or Sciacca in under an hour for that big city feel. Both are coastal towns and great day trips for heading to the beach, eating local seafood or absorbing some great architecture and history. Heading higher up into the mountains is Bivona(known for their peaches) and Santo Stefano. Daily activities you can find in the area include hiking, vineyard tours, olive oil making or cooking classes and lazy days at the beach.

All four mountain towns are roughly the same size in area and population. They all offer exceptional restaurants and pretty much the same amenities to get you by day to day. Each town definitely has it’s own feel and vibe which makes each unique to their own charm. In each town you can find your local bread maker, wine producer, butcher, plumber & electrician, and boutique owner. The list goes on and the title is usually handed down generation to generation. Everyone knows everyone and that really makes the sense of community and overall happiness in day to day life worth getting out of bed. Life expectancy into your 90’s is a reality in Sicily.