Caltanissetta
Discovering Caltanissetta, the "little Athens" of Sicily
Caltanissetta is an Italian municipality located in Sicily, and it is the capital of the homonymous municipal consortium. The city counts around 58,555 inhabitants and was probably founded during the Islamic History of Sicily, in the 10th century.
History of the city
The surrounding area was inhabited by the Sicani people, who settled in different villages, but the city was founded in the 10th century. Later, it became a fiefdom under the Normans and was ruled by Moncada, the owners of the county of Caltanissetta until 1812. The Moncada Palace, in Baroque style, is one of the testimonies of that period.
Industrial development
Starting from the 19th century, Caltanissetta experienced remarkable industrial development thanks to the presence of Sicilian sulfur, which made it an important mining center. In 1862, the Sebastiano Mottura Institute of Education was opened. In the thirties, despite the censorship of fascism, it lived a period of cultural ferment, to the point that Leonardo Sciascia defined it as a "little Athens".
Territory
The vast territory of Caltanissetta is located in the Erei mountains region, and it is predominantly hilly with no access to the sea. The city stands in a prominent position overlooking the entire Southern Imera Valley, which extends to include the nearby Enna. The morphology of Caltanissetta perfectly reflects the characteristics of the surrounding area, which is very rough and made of a calcareous-clay composition.
The territory is rich in geological peculiarities, like the mud volcano in Terrapelata, which has been studied by experts in geology. According to D.Lgs. 30/2009, the Caltanissetta Basin represents a Sicilian underground water body, and it is monitored by the Sicilian Region.
The historic center
The historic center of Caltanissetta lies among three hills (Sant'Anna, Monte San Giuliano, and Poggio Sant'Elia) arranged in an arch, forming a basin in which part of the historic center and all the southern neighborhoods develop. The city holds a great position, being the seventh highest capital municipality of a province in Italy, preceded in the Region only by Enna.
Economy
In the '60s and '70s, the mining sector of the Caltanissetta territory underwent a crisis, with consequences on the whole economy of the area. Nowadays, the economy is predominantly based on the tertiary sector.
Conclusions
Caltanissetta is a city with ancient and fascinating origins. Its history, territory, and geographic location make it a special place in inland Sicily. There is a lot to discover, from the beauties of the historic center to the peculiar geological features of the territory. Overall, Caltanissetta is a city of great cultural interest, with a rich artistic heritage and an important industrial past.
