Niscemi — Stage 05 of Passaporto 757
PASSAPORTO 757 · STAGE 05
Where the land meets the horizon
The journey sets off again towards the agricultural heart of Sicily.
The fifth stage of Passaporto 757 takes ACR Messina to Niscemi, a town spread across a plateau from which the eye reaches the Gela Plain.
Here the landscape tells of a community grown between the land, its crops and one of the last great cork-oak woods of south-central Sicily.
From the Sughereta to the Belvedere, from the old town to the native artichoke, Niscemi keeps an identity made of work, nature and belonging.
The journey goes on. On Sunday the Pontelongo awaits.
ECCELLENZA SICILIA — GROUP B
NISCEMI FOOTBALL CLUB vs ACR MESSINA 1900
Sunday 8 November 2026 · Kick-off 14:30
“Santa Maria–Pontelongo” municipal stadium · Piazza Gaetano Scirea · Niscemi
THE CITY OF THE STAGE
A town grown between the wood and the land
Niscemi stands on a plateau in south-central Sicily, in a position from which the landscape opens towards the Gela Plain and the valley of the Maroglio river.
Its origins are tied to settlements that grew in a territory crossed over the centuries by different peoples and cultures. The town’s name probably keeps an Arabic root and recalls the ancient bond with the local vegetation.
The town took shape between the 16th and 17th centuries, while the rebuilding after the 1693 earthquake helped define some of the religious buildings that still mark the historic centre.
But the story of Niscemi is above all a story of land. Crops, farmsteads, agriculture and the cork-oak wood have shaped the landscape and the life of the community.
A town where nature is not just a backdrop, but an essential part of its identity.
Identity in three symbols
THE SUGHERETA — The wood that endures
The Sughereta di Niscemi Nature Reserve protects one of the last remnants of the great cork-oak forest that once covered this part of Sicily. A natural heritage where cork oaks, holm oaks, Mediterranean scrub and many animal species live together.
THE BELVEDERE — A view over the Plain
Known to locals as ‘U Tunnu’, the Belvedere is a rounded terrace opening onto the Gela Plain and the Maroglio valley. It is one of the places where the town most recognises its own image.
THE ARTICHOKE — Land that becomes identity
Grown around Niscemi since the 19th century, the native artichoke tells of the town’s farming vocation. A product born for local consumption that over time became a symbol of rural work and culture.
Beyond the ninety minutes
Three places to get to know Niscemi before or after the match.
Sughereta di Niscemi Nature Reserve
One of the last cork-oak woods of south-central Sicily. The reserve protects an environment of great botanical and wildlife value, deeply tied to the history of the area.
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele III
The heart of the historic centre. The Town Hall, the Mother Church of Santa Maria d’Itria and the Church of the Addolorata face onto the square.
“U Tunnu” Belvedere
The town’s best-known viewpoint, overlooking the Gela Plain and the Maroglio valley. A privileged spot to understand the bond between Niscemi and its landscape.
THE FLAVOUR OF THE STAGE
The native artichoke of Niscemi
In Niscemi’s farming landscape, the artichoke is much more than a crop.
The first artichoke fields spread across the area in the 19th century, helped by greater water availability. From a product for local consumption, the Niscemi artichoke reached first Sicilian markets and then those of mainland Italy.
The native artichoke stands out for its strong bond with the land and with traditional growing techniques. Today a small production is still kept alive in the countryside near the Sughereta.
Recognised as a Slow Food Presidium, it tells of a community that built work, livelihood and identity on the land.
A simple, authentic and deeply Niscemi flavour.
TOWARDS THE PITCH
Meet the opponent
Niscemi Football Club is one of the rising names in Sicilian football.
The club project was born in 2018 and grew through a rapid climb of the regional divisions, all the way to Eccellenza.
The team plays in yellow and green and hosts its matches at the Santa Maria–Pontelongo municipal stadium, a ground tied to the town’s football history and passion.
For the 2026/27 season the bench has been entrusted to Nicolò Terranova, a coach with experience across Eccellenza and Serie D.
Niscemi meet Messina as Group B leaders, with an identity built on organisation, intensity and attacking quality.
The men to know
Flavio Dos Santos
Forward
A forward among the leading figures of Niscemi’s start to the season. Presence, experience and finishing make him one of the side’s attacking reference points.
Lucas Idoyaga
Attacking midfielder
An Argentine attacking midfielder signed to raise the yellow-and-green side’s attacking potential. He showed straight away an ability to make the difference in the final metres.
Ousman Bojang
Under verification
An attacking player able to give depth, pace and unpredictability to Niscemi’s play.
Profiles under verification against the official 2026/27 squad.
How Niscemi arrive
Niscemi come into the match as Group B leaders.
After defeat on the opening day, Nicolò Terranova’s side put together seven results without loss, with six wins and a draw.
The yellow-and-greens took every point available in their first four home matches, showing solidity at the Pontelongo and a remarkable ability to convert chances.
The 3–1 win over Palazzolo took Niscemi to 19 points, confirming them as one of the most effective and consistent sides of the early season.
For Messina it will be an away trip against an organised, ambitious side backed by a particularly passionate crowd.
Position: 1º · Points: 19 · Played: 8 · Won: 6 · Drawn: 1 · Lost: 1 · Goals for: 14 · Goals against: 7 · Goal difference: +7
Last eight matches
- Mazzarrone – Niscemi 1–0
- Niscemi – Jonica 3–2
- Acireale – Niscemi 1–2
- Niscemi – Messana Riviera 4–2
- Augusta – Niscemi 0–1
- Niscemi – Athletic Gioiosa 1–0
- Vittoria – Niscemi 0–0
- Niscemi – Sport Club Palazzolo 3–1
Figures after matchday 8, before the 8 November match.
FROM MESSINA TO NISCEMI
Approximate distance: about 181 km
Approximate driving time: about 2 hours 20 minutes
Destination: Santa Maria–Pontelongo municipal stadium
Address: Piazza Gaetano Scirea, Niscemi
Distance and times may vary depending on starting point, traffic and the chosen itinerary.