Altavilla Milicia
Altavilla Milicia: an overview of the town
If you are looking for a place to enjoy a breath-taking view of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Altavilla Milicia is the perfect Sicilian town for you. This metropolitan city of Palermo has about 8,523 inhabitants and is located at an elevated position, 73 meters above sea level, and offers a 360-degree view of the Aeolian Islands, the Gulf of Palermo, and the Sicilian coast.
Physical Geography and Climate
We are in the presence of a Mediterranean climate, with hot and dry summers and mild and rainy winters. The temperature rarely drops below 5 degrees Celsius, so if you visit during the cold season, you can always enjoy the mild and pleasant atmosphere of southern Italy.
Name origins and history
The name Altavilla Milicia is derived from the Altavilla family ("Hauteville" in French), Norman settlers who conquered it in the 11th century and ruled over the island. During the Ottoman period, the feudal barony of Altavilla passed into the hands of the Adragna family.
The foundation of the town dates back to the Beccadelli family of Bologna, who owned many fiefs. In 1620-1623, Francesco Maria Beccadelli began the process of "licentia populandi," that is, authorization from King Philip III of Spain to found the Land of Alta Villa. Using a pre-existing fortified baglio that housed a cinnamon mill, the architect and sculptor Mariano Smiriglio supervised the construction of the village.
Symbols
The coat of arms and the flag of the town of Altavilla Milicia were granted by decree of the President of the Republic on November 17, 1992. The flag is a blue drape.
Monuments and Places of Interest
The inhabited center of Altavilla Milicia has a linear, checkerboard urban structure that has developed over time on a corkscrew model derived from Smiriglio's original project. The monuments present in the historic center are few, but the belvedere and the sanctuary are certainly worth a visit.
The belvedere, formed by two contiguous squares in an elevated position north of the inhabited center, is the ideal place to enjoy the view of Capo Zafferano, Cefalù, and the Aeolian Islands. The main street of the inhabited center was called Via Loreto.
The Marian Diocesan Sanctuary, located in front of the belvedere, is definitely worth a visit. Founded in the seventeenth century, it houses a work by an artist of Tuscan culture who dealt with religious themes in a style that recalls Giotto. This painting, made with the egg tempera technique, depicts a crowned Madonna on a throne with the Child Jesus standing on her lap, holding a package in her left hand. St. Francis, on the other hand, with his right hand, points to a figure (which was initially believed to be a second child of Mary or an angel but was later discovered to be the patron), kneeling at his feet in a prayerful attitude.
It is said that this canvas was brought to Altavilla Milicia through commercial exchanges, but for a long time, it was claimed that the canvas was saved from a shipwreck thanks to Saracen pirates who threw it into the sea after hitting it several times with swords.
In summary, Altavilla Milicia is a small town in the province of Palermo that is definitely worth a visit. The linear urban structure and small squares make it truly characteristic, but the real gem of this town is the breath-taking view that can be admired from the Belvedere and the cultural heritage preserved in the Marian Diocesan Sanctuary.
