CALTANISSETTA, SICILY The town lies 568 m. above sea level in the hilly region to the right of the Salso river, at the foot of San Giuliano (727 m.) in the middle of the island. The old centre is characterized by picturesque narrow winding streets, while the modern town has been built to a neat square plan. Probably a Siculo-Greek settlement, the town was occupied by the Arabs in 829 (the name Kalat-Nissa: castle of Nissa dates back to this time) and its resultant prosperity continued under Norman rule, beginning in 1087. From then on, it shared the vicissitudes of the Kingdom of Sicily, though granted in feud by the Moncada family from the 15th to 19th century. It became part of Italy in 1860. Of interest are the Duomo (16th-17th century), the Mineralogical, Palaeontological and Sulphur-Mine Museum, the Regional Archaeological Museum, the Folklore Museum and the Civic Museum. Also of interest is the baroque Palazzo Moncada, the Palazzo Vescovile, and the ruins of Castello di Pietrarossa.
Situated in the extreme west
area of the Province, Acquaviva Platani was founded in the 1635
by the noble Francesco Spatafora, marquis of Roccella and prince
of Maletto. Of the same year is the Mother Church.
Bompensiere was founded at the
first half of the '600 on the pre-existent place of the fief
of Nadore, by Ottaviano Lanza di Trabia.
Butera is situated on the rocky
crest that dominates the plane below as far as the cosat. This
dominant position of the rock suggests that it was, in prehistoric
times, the site of an indigenous settlement, identifiable with
the Sicanian town of Onphake. Of interest is the Castle, of probably
Muslim foundation.
Campofranco was founded in the
second half of the 16th century by the baron Giovanni del Campo
in the feud called Fontana delle Rose. Then it passed under the
control of the Lucchesi Palli , that in the 17th century became
princes of Campofranco. The area where today rises the town was
very important from a miring point of view, being present a great
layer of potassic salt and rock-salt widely exploited in the
past. Rich of operas of art is the Mother Church, where you can
admire a cloth of d'Asaro representing the decapitation of St.
Giovanni.
Delia is a small centre built
in the last foreshortening of the '500, but already inhabited
in remote times. In Roman epoch, where today the town rises,
there was Petiliana, station of mail along the itinerary of the
Emperor Antonino Pio. In the medieval epoch Delia consisted of
a small hamlet situated near the Castle. The modern Delia was
built between the '500 and the '600 by don Gaspare Lucchese.
Among the churches of Delia, of interest is the 16th century
Mother Church, St.Antonio church and the church of the Lady of
the Itria, all rich of masterpieces of high value. On a cliff
out of the city rises instead the Castellaccio, the medieval
castle that in past was at the centre of important historical
events.
Gela had a role of first plain
in the political of the 5th century B.C. and represented one
of the most important ports of call of the ancient Mediterranean.
Destroyed by Carthaginians and Agrigentini, Gela doesn't succeed
any more to return to the ancient splendour. In the medieval
epoch Fred II built in the pre-existent place a new city "Terranova".
The sign and the most evident testimonies of the archaic Gela
are preserved in the halls of the archaeological Museum. The
historical centre of Gela is rich of medieval, neoclassical and
baroque testimonies. Of interest is the 17th century Mother Church.
Beyond the inhabited centre there are sandy dunes, famous for
the unloading of the Allies in the night among the 9th and 10th
July 1943.
Marianopoli is placed in the
northern part of the Province. The urban agglomeration, settled
on a spinal-mountain between two valleys, was founded in the
18th century by the baron Della Scala.
Mazzarino was built by the princes
Branciforti probably in the '400. The historical centre presents
architectural treasures of rare beauty and also precious works
of art, preserved in the different churches of the city: holy
Crucifix Church, Maria Santissima del Mazzaro Church, St. Ignazio
Church, Capuchin Fathers' Church.
Milena is situated in the west
part of the Province. Up to the 1860 in the territory where today
rises the city, there was the feud Milocca, belonging to the
Fathers of the St. Martino's Monastery. In the fascist period
Milocca changed name and became, although for a few time, Littoria
Nissena. The definitive name of Milena was chosen in the years
'30 to pay homage to the Queen Milena of Montenegro, mother of
the Queen of Italy. One of the characteristic of Milena are the
14 fractions, known as Villages, or Farmhouse, or "Robbe"
in local dialect. Farm, around which there were other smaller
buildings, functioning as stores, stables and secondary houses.
It rose in the 17th century in
the feud Balattanza for the wish of the prince of Castelvetrano,
don Diego d'Aragona. Its name derive from the fact that the surround
hills, in Spring, cover themselves of yellow flowers. Montedoro
was, together with many other cities of the province, a sulphur
minings center between 19th and the 20th century.
In the second half of the 16th
century, under the dominion of Lanza, Mussomeli lived a period
of great prosperity. Of this period are in fact many churches,
convents and buildings. Its churches are rich of artistic masterpieces
of rare beauty. Of interest is also the Castle built in 1370
by Manfredi III Chiaramonte.
The first settlements go back
to the époque of the Sicilian civilization. Very interesting
is the vast complex of fortifications of the Disueri, of the
13th century, where is still visible the necropolis with its
tholos tombs called "the caves of the Saracens". During
the Greek period, Niscemi was under the control of Gela. In the
17th century the city was owned by the Branciforti family.
Situated in a picturesque position,
at 650m a.s.l, Resuttano was the Barony of the Ventimiglia in
the 14th century. Then it became possession of the Duke of Campobello
Joseph di Napoli, that at the beginning of the 17th century founded
the inhabited centre. Of interest are the ruins of the old Castle
situated in the area near the Imera Meridionale river.
Risen in the 17th century, Riesi
is a town rich of traditions. But its history is linked to the
sulphur mines.
Founded by the prince Nicolò
Galletti, its origins go back to the 17th century, although the
area where today rises the city was inhabited since the VI century
B.C. by colonies of hellenised indigenous. The town was called,
in origin, Casale Calirone, and then San Cataldo.
Santa Caterina Villarmosa was
inhabited since the Middleage It was first called Risigallo,
from the name of the feud in which was founded. Of interest is
the Mother Church (1717/1870).
Founded in 1640 by Leonardo Lo
Faso Pietrasanta, Serradifalco is rich of artistic and architectural
masterpieces. Of interest is the Mother Church (1740) with a
majestic facade and the Cappella del Calvario.
ts history is linked to the sulphur
mines. Of interest is the Mother Church (18th century) with beautiful
18th century paintings of Provenzano, and the liberty Palace
in Piazza Cairoli.
Situated on the slopes of the
Mount St. Paolino, Sutera, presents a medieval urban structure.
Of interest is the late-baroque Mother Church, the Church of
S. Agata, the Sanctuary of St. Paolino (1615). Many are the archaeological
finds discovered in the contrada Ruffo, Monte San Paolino and
Pizzo San Marco.
In 1621 the baron of Termini
Imerese, don Pietro Marino, recalled a great number of colonies
from the near bucolic zones, creating Terra Marini burgh. The
little inhabited centre then assumed the name of Vallelunga (long
valley). Of interest is the Mother Church.
Villalba (600 m. asl) is surrounded
by clayed hills. Its history goes back to the Roman epoch. But
the actual town dates back to the 18th century. Of interest is
the Mother Church (1848) and the Calmieri Palace of the 18th
century. |
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