Riposto

An important commercial hub in eastern Sicily

A port town at the foot of Mount Etna, Riposto is an important centre for trade halfway between Catania and Taormina. Its name, in fact, derives from the term “u ripostu”, literally “the storeroom”, because the town was well-equipped to store the goods that arrived here by sea from neighbouring towns. 

The urban centre of Riposto revolves around Piazza San Pietro, overlooked by the Art Nouveau Town Hall and the neoclassical Duomo. Astute observers will notice that the church, which is dedicated to the city’s patron saint, is inspired by the Roman Basilica of St John Lateran. 

We recommend stopping to admire the Church of the Madonna della Lettera, the oldest church in Riposto, although its current appearance dates back to 1868. Inside, it houses numerous works of art, but the real highlight of the church is the crypt, where, in addition to numerous artefacts from the Arab-Norman, Byzantine and Roman periods, foundations have been unearthed dating back to 1100.

Leaving the old town centre, you can walk along the seafront promenade to Torre Archirafi, a quiet fishing village, where you can watch the sea crashing against the volcanic rocks and roaring in the light of sunset.