The Italian village, frozen in time, has been named the most beautiful tourist destination in 2024
After the winter holidays, many people are starting to plan new trips in 2024. In addition to well-known destinations, tourists often choose colorful locations that leave a vivid impression.
The ancient Italian town of Gangi, which seems to be frozen in time, has been recognized as one of the most beautiful places in the country. Few tourists come here because the nearest airport is 80 km away, and there are several difficult-to-navigate roads to get to it," writes the Mirror.
Gangi is located among the picturesque mountains
The city is located far from the beaten path and owes its appearance to the Cretan warriors in 1200 BC, as the legend says. It is said that after losing their ships and military leader, the Cretans came to Sicily, following Minos, the son of Zeus.
The city they founded was so beautiful and rich in treasures that it was captured by the envious Romans. It's hard to say for sure if this is true, as most of the city was destroyed during the brutal wars of 1300. What stands here now is a medieval city that grew for 700 years.
If its divine origin may be in doubt, its beauty is not. The Italian city is located in a picturesque mountainous area. Tourists can enjoy sensational views of Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe.
Few tourists make it to Gangi, as the nearest airport is 80 km away, and there are a number of difficult-to-navigate roads to get there. As a result, it is free from the hustle and bustle that dominates other Italian cities, allowing it to retain its charm and win a nomination in the official government competition for the most beautiful city in the country.
"Gangi stands amidst the fresh air of the Madonie Mountains, with narrow-colored stone houses huddled closely together and the majestic Etna in the background, which, thanks to an optical illusion, seems very close," the judges wrote about Gangi.
"In Gangi, among the medieval alleys of the old city center in the upper part, a great architectural and artistic heritage has been preserved: the castle, mansions, the Monastery of the Friars Minor, the Ventimiglia Tower, and the church with a dome."
The city suffered from the mafia
Like many other parts of Sicily, Gangi has suffered from mafia violence in modern history. This came to a head in 1926 when Cesare Mori, a fascist prefect, decided to occupy the city to drive out the mafia.
Using carabinieri and police, he ordered house-to-house searches, picking up bandits, petty mafia members, and other suspects who were on the run. Many of those who managed to escape fled to the United States and Argentina.
Selling houses for 1 euro to bring people back
In the late 20th century, more and more people left the city to escape unemployment. As a result, the city's population dropped from 16,000 to 6,000. Along with the money that flowed out of the city, Gangi's development came to a standstill. Now the city looks as if its development stopped many decades ago.
As magical as it looks to visitors, the Italian government is committed to revitalizing the place. It recently launched a scheme to buy houses for 1 euro to lure people back to the city and encourage them to start investing in real estate.
If you visit Gangi or decide to buy a house here, you will have plenty to do. Gangi is home to a magnificent hilltop castle, as well as medieval and Baroque churches, while you can descend into impressive underground passages to see the Chiesa Madre Gangi tomb, where mummified priests line the walls of the crypt.
