Cassaro
Cassaro: the smallest and least populated town in Syracusan area
Cassaro is a town in the province of Syracuse, Sicily, with a population of only 716 inhabitants. It is the smallest and least populated town in the Syracusan area and also one of the smallest and least populated on the island.
The origin of the name
The name Cassaro probably derives from the Arabic word "qaṣr", which in turn is a loanword from Latin "Castra", meaning "castle", "fort", "stronghold" or "military camp". However, there are sources that indicate that the name may derive from the ancient Sicilian settlement known as "Kakyron" or "Cacyrum".
Brief history of Cassaro
Cassaro was a fiefdom of Francesco Alcassar, governor of Pantalica, and then passed into the hands of Giovanni, Parisio and Pietro di Cassaro, from Syracuse. Parisio founded the monastery of San Benedetto in Syracuse, run for 75 years by Abbess Cesaria, his sister. Pietro's daughter, Regale Cassaro, married Pietro de Muleto and started the barony of Muleto. Margherita Siracusa's daughter married Pietro Gaetani Baron of Sortino, starting the barony of Gaetani, whose descendant Cesare Gaetani received the title of Prince of Cassaro in 1631. The city was destroyed by the earthquake of Val di Noto and subsequently rebuilt on its present location.
Monuments and places of interest
Cassaro has several churches of historical and architectural interest, including the Mother Church of San Pietro in Vincoli, the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate and the Church of San Sebastiano Martire.
Society
Cassaro has a small population that has kept local traditions alive and flourishing. There are several festivals that take place during the year, such as Palm Sunday, Easter holidays, the Affruntata (Easter Sunday) and the feast of the patron saint (last Sunday in July).
Administration
From an administrative point of view, Cassaro has seen several administrations change over the years. The following table shows the relevant information.
Sport
Cassaro had a football club, Cassaro Calcio, and later Cassarese. In 2017, a new club was founded, Asd Cassaro Calcio, which plays in the Third Category.
In summary, Cassaro is a town with unique charm, a fascinating history and a cultural heritage to be proud of. Its traditions attract visitors from all over and the town's population is ready to welcome anyone who wants to discover the beauty of this place.
