Things to see in Custonaci

Custonaci is a village in northwestern Sicily, Italy, located between the slopes of Monte Erice and the coastline of the Monte Cofano Nature Reserve. The municipality covers about 4 km, stretching from its historic centre to the seaside hamlet of Cornino on Cornino Bay.

Custonaci is known for its cream-coloured marble cliffs, ancient quarries, and sacred sites like the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Custonaci — all set against a backdrop of olive groves, vineyards, and wind-carved rock formations.

Sanctuary of Maria Santissima di Custonaci (Santuario della Madonna di Custonaci). Typically open daily; hours may vary. One of the most important places of worship in western Sicily, this sanctuary stands at the heart of Custonaci and is central to its spiritual and cultural identity. According to tradition, the icon of the Madonna arrived by sea in the 15th century, leading locals to build a church in her honour. The present building, dating to the 15th–16th centuries, features late Gothic and Renaissance elements, with a rose window, polychrome marble altar, and frescoes by Domenico La Bruna. Outside, a mosaic-paved forecourt offers a scenic entrance. The Madonna is venerated as the patron saint of Custonaci and the surrounding countryside, and her feast is celebrated with a major procession each August. Free. Islamic Granary of Pizzo Monaco (Aghadir di Pizzo Monaco). Accessible during daylight hours. Discovered in 1982 and excavated since 2012, this is the oldest known Islamic granary in Italy. Dating from the 10th–11th centuries during Arab rule in Sicily, the structure was carved into limestone and designed as a fortified communal storehouse.