High in the Sicilian mountains, where the air is thin and the horizon opens onto the shimmering expanse of the Mediterranean, lies Caltabellotta—a village that seems to hover between earth and sky. Here, among olive groves that have outlived empires and narrow streets where history still lingers in the stone, life has its own rhythm, slower and deeper than the hurried pace of the modern world.

It is in this remote corner of Sicily that science has uncovered a secret that poetry has always suspected: the art of living long, and living well. Caltabellotta has now been identified as an emerging Blue Zone—a place where extraordinary longevity is not the exception, but the norm. The recognition comes from Professor Gianni Pes, pioneer of Blue Zone research, and Professor Emeritus Calogero Caruso, one of Italy’s most respected biogerontologists. Their latest study is the fruit of nearly two decades of investigation across Sicily, with one year dedicated specifically to Caltabellotta.

The research, supported by Verdura Resort, reveals a demographic profile unlike any other, where vitality and longevity converge in a way that speaks not of miracles, but of wisdom—of a lifestyle delicately balanced between tradition and the gifts of nature.

Blue Zones are rare places in the world where people live longer, healthier lives: Sardinia in Italy, Okinawa in Japan, Nicoya in Costa Rica, Ikaria in Greece, Loma Linda in California. Now, the Sicilian village of Caltabellotta joins this constellation of remarkable communities. Professor Pes explains: “We had long suspected something unique was happening in Sicily’s mountain towns. Caltabellotta stood out, not only in the data, but in its deeply rooted traditions, diet, and way of life.”

What makes Caltabellotta extraordinary is not only the number of centenarians, but the vitality with which they live. Here, longevity is not merely survival—it is presence. It is the ability to climb hills well into advanced age, to tend gardens, to share meals, to laugh in the piazza surrounded by family and friends. Professor Caruso describes it beautifully: “Caltabellotta is a true natural laboratory for longevity. It shows us that while genetics play a role, it is ultimately our environment, our food, our stress levels, and above all the quality of our social connections that shape how we age.”

In other words, longevity here is not accidental. It is cultivated.

To understand this, one must walk through Caltabellotta itself. The village rises nearly 1,000 meters above sea level, with houses that cling to the mountainside and churches that crown its rocky peaks. The views stretch endlessly across the Sicani Mountains to the sea beyond, as if reminding its people daily of the vastness of both the earth and time. Life here remains intimately tied to nature. The soil yields olives, almonds, and vegetables that feed families season after season.

The landscape itself invites movement—steep alleys, winding paths, terraced fields—ensuring that physical activity is woven into daily life. Meals are prepared slowly, from scratch, rooted in simplicity but rich in flavor: bread, olive oil, legumes, vegetables, seasonal fruits, and occasionally fresh fish or meat. Most importantly, life is lived in community. Elders are not isolated but revered, integrated into daily rhythms. Children grow up surrounded by multiple generations, absorbing traditions, stories, and values. In Caltabellotta, the village itself functions as an extended family, where support, care, and connection are constants.

Here, time does not rush forward—it breathes.

To speak of Caltabellotta today is also to speak of Verdura Resort, located just 22 kilometers from the village, which has supported research into the community’s way of life. I remember my own visit there: the horizon stretched endlessly, the scent of citrus trees mingled with the sea breeze, and the architecture seemed to dissolve into the landscape rather than dominate it. It was there that I met Professor Pes and his wife, listening to stories of his research, of communities across the world where time stretches differently. But when he spoke of Caltabellotta, his words carried a special warmth—as though science itself had fallen in love with this mountain village. Verdura’s contribution was not simply a gesture of sponsorship, but an expression of its own connection to the land, traditions, and rhythms that shape this part of Sicily.

This link is reflected in the personal commitment of Irene Forte, whose ties to Caltabellotta are longstanding. “I’ve been visiting this town for over a decade,” she shares. “I love it so much that I chose to get married here, and I’m proud to be an honorary citizen. To now see it recognised through such rigorous science is deeply moving. It confirms what we’ve always felt in our bones—this place has something special.” For her, the village is not just a picturesque backdrop, but a second home and a source of inspiration for a philosophy of wellness rooted in balance, simplicity, and respect for nature.

Inspired by the findings in Caltabellotta, Verdura Resort has drawn on local traditions in shaping its wellness programmes. These combine medical insights with practices echoing the lifestyle of the village: movement in nature, food tied to the land, and therapies based on natural ingredients. A highlight is a trek through the Sicani hills followed by a traditional Sicilian lunch—an experience that connects visitors to the landscape that science now recognises as conducive to healthy ageing. The idea is not luxury for its own sake, but a reminder that wellbeing emerges when body, land, and community are in harmony.

Central to this vision is food. Verdura’s menus, created with input from chefs and nutritionists, focus on fresh, local ingredients—olive oil, vegetables, citrus, and seasonal produce—prepared in a way that echoes how people of Caltabellotta have eaten for generations. These meals are less about indulgence or restriction than about rediscovering a tradition where nourishment, community, and pleasure are inseparable.

What, then, does Caltabellotta teach us? That longevity is not the product of wealth or technology, but of balance. That the greatest luxury is time spent in connection with the land, with community, with oneself. That health is less about adding years to life than adding life to years. Caltabellotta is a living reminder that the future of wellness lies not in invention, but in remembrance—in recovering the wisdom of our ancestors and adapting it to our present lives.

In the mountains of Sicily, where the sky leans close to the earth, Caltabellotta emerges as a beacon. It is a place where science and poetry meet, where time flows differently, and where the art of longevity is practiced quietly, every day. Through the work of Professor Pes and Professor Caruso, and through the commitment of those who cherish this land, this secret is no longer hidden. It is now a gift to the world: an invitation to slow down, to live with intention, to nourish not just our bodies but our souls. In Caltabellotta, time does not hurry. It breathes. And in its breath, we are reminded of what it truly means to flourish.