Calascibetta
Discovering Calascibetta: A Friendly Overview
If you're in search of a quiet and picturesque place to spend a vacation, I recommend visiting Calascibetta, a municipality located in the Enna province in Sicily. With its 4,092 inhabitants, it is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
Origin of the Name
Calascibetta derives from the Arabic ''qalʾat'' which means castle or fortress. The second element could be related to the Arabic term ''sibitt'', ''šabaṯ'' 'Anethum graveolens' or another phytomime having ''š.b.ṭ'' as its root, or even to ''šabāt'' 'tip'. In Sicilian, the town is called ''Calascibbetta'' or ''Calaxibbetta'' according to the ancient Sicilian spelling of the voiceless postalveolar fricative [ʃ]. The inhabitants of the nearby Enna usually call it ''Sciurbi'' (written as ''Xurbi'').
Physical Geography
The city is located on the Monti Erei in an internal hilly area, on the watershed between the basins of the rivers Simeto and Imera Meridionale. Its position is 880 meters above sea level. To the northeast, towards Leonforte, is Lake Nicoletti, while to the west is Lake Morello, both of artificial origin.
History
It is presumed that Calascibetta was born in the 9th century as a Muslim military camp on the rock facing Enna to try to besiege the Byzantine stronghold. The territory was inhabited since ancient times, as evidenced by the necropolises of Calcarella, Realmese, Valle Coniglio, and Malpasso. In 1062, Roger I of Sicily fortified Calascibetta and built the castle called "Marco", the first wall, the first village during the siege of Enna, and the large cathedral dedicating it to the Virgin Mary and the Apostle Peter. Later, during the Norman period, it remained a demesne city and was favored by the Aragonese kings with temples and monuments.
Archaeological Sites
I recommend visiting the Necropolis of Realmese, an archaeological site from the Iron Age, just three kilometers from Calascibetta. This site is a Pantalica-style necropolis, consisting of 288 very particular "grotticella" tombs, dating back to the period between the 9th and 6th centuries BC. It is easily reachable from the A19 motorway exit in Enna. To find it, there are many road signs starting from the motorway exit, it is also reachable by bus, and there is a large parking lot inside the archaeological park.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a tranquil place to spend a vacation, Calascibetta is the ideal place for you, with its history, monuments, and the nature that surrounds it, all that's left is to book your trip and discover this pearl of Sicily!
