The "Godfather" villages of Savoca and Forza D'Agro': "An offer you just might not be able to refuse!"
Anyone who hasn't seen the "Godfather" movies, really should do so before coming to Sicily and visiting these charming locations. Francis Ford Coppola filmed the Sicilian scenes of his movies in these two authentic villages a short drive from Taormina, which still today are completely untouched and retain their original medievel charm.
Built on rocky hilltops high above the sea, the two villages are a hidden piece of Sicily which definitely can be a great location for your wedding ceremony or reception banquet.
Savoca was the location for the scenes set in Corleone, S. Nicolo' Church (also called S. Lucia Church) was chosen for Michael and Apollonia's wedding and Bar Vitelli, which is still a functioning establishment, was featured in the motion picture as the place where Michael Corleone asked Apollonia's father to meet his daughter.
This has made tiny Savoca an international tourist destination, but its smallness and remoteness precludes it from being overwhelmed.
Forza d'Agrò is on the lower peak of a small mountain, while on the higher peak that overlooks the town are the remains of a Norman castle.
Much of the town consists of traditional buildings and stone paved lanes that are impassable by car. The perfect setting for the "Godfather" movies!

Savoca

S. Nicolo' Church (S. Lucia Church)
The oldest documents date it to the beginning of the Thirteenth Century.
Little remains of its original appearance, getting twisted restorations in times. It seems a fortress dominating the underlying valley.
It is, incorrectly, called S. Lucia Church, because the statue of the saint was transferred here after the collapse of the church consecrated to her.
The building, with a nave and two aisles, contains valuable sumptuously carved polychromatic marble altars of the Baroque period and many "vare" (richly decorated bases) on which wooden saint’s sculptures stand.
Along the nave there are some paintings on wood representing biblical episodes. On the high altar some pictures on canvas represent S. Lucia and her martyrdom.
Also interesting are terracotta reproductions of the stations of the Cross.

Forza D'Agro'

Holy Mary of the Annunciation and Assumption Church
The Cathedral, dedicated to Holy Mary of the Annunciation and Assumption, dates back to the beginning of the 18th century. The church was originally built in the 15th century but underwent serious damage due to earthquakes in 1648 and then again in 1693.
The architecture of the church reflects Spanish decorative elements. However, the undulating and pyramidal shapes of the structure create a dynamic form, reflecting the typical style of the Sicilian Baroque.
The interior of the Cathedral is equally elegant due to the light succession of arches and columns that divide the space into three well proportioned naves.

Holy Trinity Church
In 1576 the church was built. Its facade was reconstructed over the original structure of the 15th century.
The interior of the church consists of one nave and is distinctive for the contrast between the four altars, noted for their wooden structures coloured in sea-blue with pale gold friezes, and the unadorned white walls.