Borgetto

Welcome to Borgetto, the Sicilian town surrounded by the Gulf of Castellammare

Hello everyone! Today I will talk to you about Borgetto, a Sicilian town of about 7,200 inhabitants, located about 25 kilometers from the city of Palermo. Borgetto occupies a central position in the Gulf of Castellammare and is surrounded by the municipalities of Partinico, Montelepre, Giardinello, and Monreale.

According to linguists, the name of the town comes from the Greek word "burgos" or more likely from the Arabic word "burg," which respectively mean "castle" and "tower." That is why you will see a tower on the town's coat of arms. In 1903, an official document from the Kingdom of Italy described the boundaries of Borgetto's territory, and there are many legends about the town's foundation. But regardless of its history, Borgetto is a small and very characteristic town full of surprises.

History

According to sources, Borgetto was founded in the 14th century. Initially, the fiefdom belonged to the feudal lords Simone d'Escolo and Margherita d'Escolo. Later, Margherita donated it to the abbot of the Monastery of San Martino delle Scale. This led to the construction of the Monastery of Santa Maria delle Ciambre, which would become the Monastery of Madonna del SS. Romitello in 1413.

Borgetto: the Sicilian municipality between history, culture and tradition.

Symbols

Borgetto's coat of arms, which does not have state sanction, represents a tower. The civic banner is a white and yellow split cloth.

Monuments and places of interest

If you like art and architecture, I recommend visiting the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maddalena. This cathedral is famous for its Baroque architecture and its beautiful altar.

Culture and tradition

Borgetto is famous for the festival called "mense di San Giuseppe". This festival is celebrated on March 19 and brings together tradition, culture, and religion. During the festival, the families of the town prepare a great dinner for all the inhabitants, using only local ingredients. In addition, a large altar is built in honor of San Giuseppe, made entirely of bread, flowers, and wild fruits. The Feast of San Giuseppe is the most important festival in Borgetto, and the citizens live it with great passion.

Conclusions

In summary, Borgetto is a very characteristic Sicilian town full of surprises. If you like art, architecture, culture, and tradition, Borgetto is the right place for you. I recommend visiting the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maddalena and participating in the Feast of San Giuseppe. I am sure you will not regret it!

Marco Rossi
Wrote by Marco Rossi
Updated Saturday, Feb 12, 2022