Forza d'Agro

September 14, 2015

In the Godfather Part I, when Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) and his two bodyguards are walking in the hills, they see a picturesque village in the distance, they point and remark “Corleone”. The town in the distance is in fact Forza d' Agro a short drive from Taormina.

Forza d’Agro is an ancient hill-top town and is a warren of narrow streets and tiny houses leading up to a ruined Norman castle. Most of the stone paved lanes here are impassable by cars.

The town was also used as a filming location for The Godfather Part II and III.

In the opening scene of The Godfather Part II, following the assassination of young Vito Corleone’s father, the funeral procession was shot in the dry riverbed below Forza d’Agro, Michael’s older brother is assassinated in this scene after being found hiding in the hills.

Following this his mother is also brutally murdered, and so being the only surviving male, Vito Corleone must escape Sicily and with the help of local residents he cowers in the dark near a church whilst his pursuers shout out his name. He escapes under a blanket in the back of a donkey drawn cart.

Later in the Godfather Part II older Vito (Robert di Niro) returns to Sicily to seek vengeance on his family’s murderers. The church is featured again after a Sunday morning mass before the family return to America.

In The Godfather Part III Michael Corleone visits his father's birthplace with his ex-wife Kay (Diane Keaton). They see a wedding at the same church, watch a traditional Sicilian puppet show and dance together in the Piazza. Michael also shows Kay his father’s childhood home.

The drive up to Forza d'Agro is a long windy road.

On arrival in Forza d’Agro follow the signs for the Duomo, known as the Church of Santa Maria Assunta and Annunziata which dates back to the eighteenth century. It is of typical Baroque architecture. You will recognise the church from the opening scene of the Godfather Part II. It is well worth going inside to see the beautiful décor and paintings. The cathedral was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1648 which devastated Eastern Sicily.

Outside the church to your left you will see a small cobbled alleyway, it is down here in The Godfather Part II that you see young Vito Corleone disappear hidden in the back of a donkey with cart. Walk down this quaint alley and further down you will recognise the houses, it is here at No5 Vico Roma where Michael tells Kay that this was his fathers’ childhood home. This part of the town is neglected with ancient stone houses that look ready to tumble down, but they are full of Sicilian character and these alleys are well worth exploring.

There are four churches in Forza d’Agro, another church you must visit is The Church of The Holy Trinity (or St. Augustine), it is accessed through a beautiful staircase of sandstone which is surmounted by a beautiful gothic archway (Arco Durazzesco) which dates back to the fifteenth century.

Next to the church is the ex-Monastery of St Augustine with its cloister adorned with palm trees. It is thought to have been built around 1591, however there is the number 1559 engraved in the arched stone door which could indicate the start of the construction of the monastery.

The ruined Norman castle that stands guard above the town, was built between the eleventh and twelfth century, it stands 420 metres above sea level and can be reached by climbing a rocky steep ascent. In 1876 the castle ruins became a cemetery.

On you visit stop and have a granita in the small piazza with a baroque fountain and don't forget to have your photograph taken on the bicycle which was used in The Godfather Part III in the scene where Kay is thrusted a bouquet of flowers by a passing priest on a bike.

After exploring the historic part of town head back to the main piazza, it is here where Michael and Kay watch the traditional Sicilian puppet show and dance together among wedding guests.

There are several bars and restaurants to choose from but if you really want to get into The Godfather spirit visit Il Padrino which has wonderful views across the Ionian Sea towards the mainland.

Forza d’Agro is approximately a 30 minute drive from Taormina, follow the coastal road north and turn left at Capo Sant’Alessio, it is well sign posted. Buses also run from Taormina.

When visiting Forza d’Agro you must combine with a visit to the nearby village of Savoca which was also used as a stand in for the town of Corleone in The Godfather Part I.

Please feel free to Email me for my recommendations for Godfather Tours in Sicily, one of these tours are a perfect addition to your Sicilian adventure.

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