Welcome to Gangivecchio.

Gangivecchio is a 14th century abbey in the majestic Madonie Mountains of Sicily. It is situated at the base of the stone village of Gangi--Gangivecchio actually means "Old Gangi"--in a fertile valley blessed with water flowing from an ancient spring.  Roman ruins from 1,700 years ago have been unearthed in the abbey's courtyard and Greek ruins from BC are also believed to be here.  It is one of the most spiritually charged and deeply beautiful places many say they have ever been.

The current effort to restore the vineyards honors the grape growing and wine making history of the Benedictine monks who settled here in the fourteenth century.  Maps and drawings suggest the monks likely chose the land specifically for its promising viticultural attributes.

Acquired by the Tornabene family of Palermo in 1856, Gangivecchio became a working farm and private summer residence.  After more than 100 years of relative prosperity, a financial crisis prompted Wanda Tornabene to open a restaurant in the abbey in 1978.  Three highly-acclaimed cookbooks with her daughter Giovanna and the opening of a cooking school followed.

In addition to food and wine aficionados, Gangivecchio today welcomes nature enthusiasts, hikers, writers and travelers interested in the ancient heritage of the island.  The estate  is the perfect base for exploration of north-central Sicily.  Possible itineraries might include walking the historic hill towns of the island's interior, visiting the fishing village of Cefalú, mountain biking or hiking the Madonie Mountain range, and touring boutique wineries nearby.