1 / 5Corleone - beyond the Mafia
About this activity
This cultural tours is one of the standout things to do in Corleone, Sicily, Italy. Rated 4.0/5 by 3 travellers, it combines the highlights below into a single, easy-to-book experience from €49 per person. The name "Corleone" is not simply that of a Godfather. Discover this picturesque village in the heart of the Sicilian countryside, experience its warm hospitality, and learn about its people’s fight against the Mafia.
The guided tour, lead by an activist of a local non-profit orgaization, will retrace the history of Corleone from the late nineteenth century. It runs through the city center and includes the “Laboratory of Legality”. Here you can admire the works of the Sicilian painter Gaetano Porcasi, which focus on the history of the Mafia and the Anti-mafia movement.
Highlights
- Learn about the stories of the most notorious mafiosi and the bravery of those who stood against them
- Explore its narrow alleyways, accompanied by a local activist
- Discover the history of the Mafia depicted in the paintings of a local artist
- Experience daily life in Corleone firsthand
- Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views from the best vantage points
The real Mafia and the Godfather mith
This little town evokes memories of the Mafia violence: the real one, connected to the names of the 'Boss of all bosses' Totò Riina, and the fictional one, portrayed in the Godfather movies. However, with us, you will experience the genuine Corleone, moving beyond stereotypes.
You will learn about how the real Mafia emerged in the 1800s in countryside towns like Corleone and how it evolved after World War II, when eventually Corleone was nicknamed 'Tombstone' due to frequent gunfights between rival factions.
You will discover how a small group of Mafia bosses from Corleone ultimately seized power in the early 1980s, significantly impacting the recent history of Cosa Nostra, Sicily, and all of Italy, with terrible massacres and suffering. Meanwhile, the popularity of The Godfather trilogy was spreading a distorted image of Sicilians.
The raise of the Antimafia movement
The guided tour will trace Corleone's history from the late nineteenth century when the peasant struggle represented the primary form of anti-Mafia resistance.
You will learn about how some of the leaders of this mass movement, who were born and raised in Corleone, were targeted and killed by the Mafia, becoming symbols of the anti-Mafia movement.
The tour includes a visit to the 'Laboratory of Legality,' the Antimafia museum. There you can admire the works of the Sicilian painter Gaetano Porcasi, offering a visual narrative of the Mafia and the anti-Mafia movement in
Good to know
- •Duration: approximately 3 hours.
- •Confirmation is instant — your spot is secured the moment you book.
- •Offered in 1 language.
- •Confirm weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable footwear before you go.
Who it's for
Best time to visit
Corleone, Sicily is rewarding year-round, but spring and early autumn typically bring the most comfortable temperatures and thinner crowds than peak summer. Morning departures tend to be quieter and cooler; booking ahead is recommended in high season as popular cultural tours slots in Corleone, Sicily sell out.