Savoca
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 30 December 2023
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The town of Savoca is situated within the Metropolitan City of Messina province and has a population of around 1,700.
It stands at an elevation of 330 metres above sea level and is included in the list of Borghi Più Belli d'Italia (most beautiful villages in Italy). Places of interest nearby include Casalvecchio Siculo, Santa Teresa di Riva and Furci Siculo. |
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A key location in The Godfather film
Some of Savoca's modern appeal is entwined with that of the big screen as it was one of the key filming locations in Francis Ford Coppola's 1972 movie The Godfather. Its most famous scene was the one when Michael Corleone asks to speak to Apollonia's father to ask for her hand in marriage.
The conversation takes place in Savoca's Bar Vitelli which is now the village's main tourist attraction and filled with memorabilia relating to the film. Another famous scene: Michael and Apollonia's wedding, takes place in the Chiesa di San Nicolò, just a short walk from Bar Vitelli and another major focus of tourist's attention.
The conversation takes place in Savoca's Bar Vitelli which is now the village's main tourist attraction and filled with memorabilia relating to the film. Another famous scene: Michael and Apollonia's wedding, takes place in the Chiesa di San Nicolò, just a short walk from Bar Vitelli and another major focus of tourist's attention.
An enchanting hilltop location
The film's enduring popularity contributes to that of Savoca the village, but even without the Godfather link, this is one of Sicily's most charming and evocative locations.
It's situated around seven kilometres of the seaside town of Santa Teresa di Riva, climbing to a height of 330 metres above sea level along a steep country road. From this height, Savoca enjoys some spectacular panoramas of the Sicilian countryside, no doubt one of the reasons it was chosen by the film-makers.
It's situated around seven kilometres of the seaside town of Santa Teresa di Riva, climbing to a height of 330 metres above sea level along a steep country road. From this height, Savoca enjoys some spectacular panoramas of the Sicilian countryside, no doubt one of the reasons it was chosen by the film-makers.
Exploring the centro storico
From the arrival point in Savoca, close to Bar Vitelli, you can see the village is laid-out across a crest, in a roughly north to south direction, where a narrow path leads up to eventually reach the ruins of the hill top Castello Pentefur.
The pathway is just about wide enough for the town's residents small vehicles to reach the southernmost area of the village which is nowadays dominated by the Borgo San Rocco Resort, where rooms are scattered around the hillside.
Back towards Bar Vitelli there's another church, the Chiesa di San Michele while right across on the other side to the main village is the Convento dei Cappuccini with its catacombs and grisly collection of skulls and mummified corpses.
There are a number of places to eat and drink in Savoca: Bar Vitelli is one but there are others close by and there is a small car park at the northern end of the village.
The pathway is just about wide enough for the town's residents small vehicles to reach the southernmost area of the village which is nowadays dominated by the Borgo San Rocco Resort, where rooms are scattered around the hillside.
Back towards Bar Vitelli there's another church, the Chiesa di San Michele while right across on the other side to the main village is the Convento dei Cappuccini with its catacombs and grisly collection of skulls and mummified corpses.
There are a number of places to eat and drink in Savoca: Bar Vitelli is one but there are others close by and there is a small car park at the northern end of the village.
Close to Savoca
There are numerous places of interest close to Savoca; the obvious first step would be the seaside towns on the coast but those closest to Savoca aren't the best in the local area. However, just 15 kilometres from Savoca is one of Sicily's most popular areas for tourism, starting with the unassuming seaside town of Letojanni before reaching the beaches of Taormina including Isola Bella and Mazzarò.
Climb the hill inland (by road or cable car) of Isola Bella and you reach Taormina itself where the Ancient Greek Theatre is the highlight. A bit closer to Savoca and in fact just above it further up the hill is the village of Casalvecchio Siculo, while those of you attracted by Savoca's Godfather link will also enjoy another hilltop village: Forza d'Agrò, just twelve kilometres from Savoca and another key filming location for the film.
Climb the hill inland (by road or cable car) of Isola Bella and you reach Taormina itself where the Ancient Greek Theatre is the highlight. A bit closer to Savoca and in fact just above it further up the hill is the village of Casalvecchio Siculo, while those of you attracted by Savoca's Godfather link will also enjoy another hilltop village: Forza d'Agrò, just twelve kilometres from Savoca and another key filming location for the film.
Comune di Savoca
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Province: Metropolitan City of Messina
Region: Sicily Population: 1,697 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2023) Size: 9 km² Elevation: 330 metres Highlights: Chiesa di San Nicolò, Castello Pentefur, Bar Vitelli Close by: Casalvecchio Siculo, Santa Teresa di Riva, Furci Siculo Recommended hotel: Resort Borgo San Rocco |
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One of I Borghi più belli d'Italia (Italy's Most Beautiful Villages)
Listing headline: Sette Faccie e Sette Panorami (Seven Faces and Seven Views) |
Film Appearance:
The Godfather (1972) Locations: Bar Vitelli, Chiesa di San Nicolò |
