Castelbuono
Castelbuono: the Palermitan municipality in the Madonie Mountains
Hello everyone! Today I will talk to you about Castelbuono, a municipality of 8177 inhabitants located in the metropolitan city of Palermo, in Sicily.
The physical geography of Castelbuono
The town is located at about 423 meters above sea level, on the slopes of the Milocca hill, immersed in the Madonie Park and surrounded by the centers of Pollina, San Mauro Castelverde, Geraci Siculo, the Madonie massif, and Isnello and Gibilmanna.
The climate of Castelbuono
The municipality enjoys a mild climate all year round, thanks to its position on the Madonie, which protects it from the summer heat and the cold temperatures in winter.
The history of Castelbuono
Ancient age
The first traces of settlement date back to the Neolithic era, when populations of the Sicani tribe settled in the area. Later, during the colonization of ancient Greece, the poetic figure of the shepherd Dafni was born, who according to legend was born in the Madonie.
Medieval age
The history of Castelbuono is deeply linked to the Ventimiglia family, lords of the County of Geraci. In the 14th century, the family decided to build a castle on the area dominated by the ancient village of Ypsigro.
Originally, the toponyms of Ypsigro were misinterpreted by historians and geographers, who initially indicated the area on the Nebrodi. Only with a document from 1105 was it possible to find the exact location. The document describes the exchange of a fraction of land whose location has as its object the places adjacent to the San Pietro hill.
At the end of the 13th century, a group of Geracese people moved from nearby Fisauli to Ypsigro for the mild climate. At that time, the area was located west of the current castle.
The first document in which the name of Castelbuono is mentioned dates back to 1329, when Count Francesco Ventimiglia declared to the Bishop of Cefalù the possession of the lands of S. Maria di Bisanzio in the "Castri Boni" territory.
The official foundation of the castle and the town dates back to 1317, as evidenced by the plaque placed on the entrance arch to the castle.
Conclusions
In summary, Castelbuono is a small municipality in Sicily that has a long history to tell. Its privileged position on the Madonie and the mild climate all year round make this place ideal for those who want to spend time in tranquility and admire the beauties of Mediterranean nature. I recommend everyone to visit this splendid Sicilian municipality.
