Savoca is a charming and picturesque medieval town in the Province of Messina. Located at just 30 minutes drive from Taormina, this town is perched on a hill with spectacular views over Sicily’s East Coast.   

It is considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and listed as one of Sicily's premier towns on the annual publication of organization's  'Borghi più Belli' d’Italia' master list.   This is definitely a town you don't want to miss when visiting Sicily, though Savoca is not only famous for its beauty.  

It rose in fame during the mid 70’s, after thet Francis Ford Coppola series camere here to film scenes for the movide  filmed some of the the Godfather Part I. Locations and traces related to this movie have been preserved through the years, and they still can be visited and admired. 

Among those places, the Vitelli Bar is considered as one of the most popular attraction. The bar is still on business, and it is a museum itself. It retains the original door and other objects of the saga, such as the famous lupara shotguns, while serving different typical Sicilian dishes and wines. 

Another famous filming location of the Godfather movie is the Church of San Nicolo, where the wedding of Michael Corleone and Apollonia took place. Also known as Church of Santa Lucia, its origins date back to the Norman period. The church is set upon a panoramic spot overlooking the sea, offering enchanting landscapes. It also houses numerous artworks, many of which were created during its foundation, while others were installed only at later times.

However, the beauties of Savoca are not limited to its relations to the movie. This town is a world away from other chaotic touristic places, offering some unique experiences for those who really want to enjoy the authentic Sicilian culture. The town appears as a traditional and unspoiled place, with a peaceful atmosphere and amazing rural views. 

The historic center is plenty of Medieval and Renaissance constructions mixed with Baroque and Modern buildings. During the year, some of these places are actually used to host several cultural events. Walking through those streets one could easily find also the presence of museums and art galleries. 

In addition, the geographical features of this town offer breathtaking views all around.  Local stories say that Savoca has ‘seven faces’ because each corner of its territory shows a different and magnificent view, including the sea, Mount Etna, the surrounding valleys, and the coasts of the Calabrian peninsula.

All these features make this place very impressive and worth while place to visit, even for those who are not necessarily interested in its ties to the Godfather series.