Caltabellotta
Welcome to Caltabellotta, the city with an ancient and glorious past
Caltabellotta, one of the beautiful cities of Sicily, is located in the municipal consortium of Agrigento. With a population of 3184 inhabitants, it extends over a mountainous and hilly territory that lies 63 km from Agrigento and 113 km from Palermo.
The physical geography of Caltabellotta
Caltabellotta occupies a privileged position, between the mountains, the hills and the Sicilian valleys. Its mild Mediterranean climate makes this city an ideal place for rest and tranquility.
History and artistic and cultural heritage of Caltabellotta
Triocala: the ancient city of the Sicani
Caltabellotta, formerly known as Triocala, was a city created on the remains of the Sicani settlement of Camico. Triocala takes its name from the three natural characteristics that surrounded it: an impregnable rock, abundance of water and fertility of the surrounding lands. The city was at its peak when Salvio Trifone settled there with a group of runaway slaves, and built a palace and ruled until 99 BC when the Roman consul Manlio Aquillio destroyed the city during a slave war. However, the city was rebuilt and again became a victim of Arab devastation as they built a castle called "Qal'at Al-Ballut". This castle represents the original nucleus of the city of Caltabellotta.
The Peace of Caltabellotta
In 1302, in the town of Caltabellotta, a historic event of great importance took place: the end of the Sicilian Vespers War, after months of war between the Sicilian Vespers and the House of Anjou (which had taken control of the island in 1266) and negotiations, the peace treaty was finally signed on the top of the Castle mountain, better known as "Pizzo di Caltabellotta". This treaty recognized Frederick I of Habsburg as the new King of Sicily and ended that bloody conflict.
The County of Caltabellotta
Caltabellotta was a county from 1338, when Frederick III of Sicily granted it to his admiral Raimondo Peralta. Later, the city passed under the dominion of De Luna D'Aragona, Moncada and Toledo families.
Symbols
The coat of arms of Caltabellotta, recognized by decree of the head of government on March 8, 1936, represents a stone tower with a Gothic window opened on a blue sky. The banner is a flag of blue color.
Monuments and places of interest
Caltabellotta is a city rich in monuments and places of interest.
Civil architecture and archaeological sites
The city of Caltabellotta has been inhabited since prehistoric times, as evidenced by the Sicano Necropolis and the Kronos God Sacrificial Altar. The Sibilla di Medania Castle, on the other hand, is a fortification built on the ruins of an Arab structure. The Necropolis of Contrada San Marco is an archaeological site where the richness of funeral art from the period of the Arabs can be admired.
Religious architecture
The artistic and cultural heritage of Caltabellotta is rich in religious buildings of great beauty. The Basilica Cathedral of Maria Santissima Assunta, built by the Normans in the 11th century, is one of the city's most important monuments. The Church of Sant'Agostino is famous for the presence of the Terracotta Deposition by the painter Antonio Ferraro. The Church of Pellegrino di Triocala, the Church of Carmine and the Church of the Capuchins, on the other hand, are examples of religious buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries. The Church of Pietà, on the other hand, is a small church carved into the rock from the Byzantine era. Finally, the Benedictine monastery called La Badia is derived from the "Congregation of Santa Maria di Valverde".
Conclusion
If you are looking for a city where you can spend a vacation full of relaxation, history and culture, then Caltabellotta is the perfect choice. The city not only offers a pleasant atmosphere but also the opportunity to discover the thousand-year history of Sicily. We are waiting for you!
