Welcome to Gangivecchio

Gangivecchio--or 'Old Gangi'--is a 14th century abbey in the majestic Madonie Mountains of Sicily. Situated in a fertile valley at the base of the village of Gangi, we are blessed with water flowing from four ancient springs. 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. Many say Gangivecchio is one of the most spiritually charged and deeply beautiful places they have ever visited.

The current effort to restore the vineyards on the estate honors the grape growing and wine making history of the Benedictine monks who settled the land and built the abbey 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 draws 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, hiking the Madonie Mountain range, and touring boutique wineries nearby.