Francofonte
Discover Francofonte, the city of Sicily's Red Orange
Welcome to Francofonte, a municipality in the province of Syracuse in Sicily, with a population of about 11,655 inhabitants. This town is located on a hill, at an altitude of 281 meters above sea level, and is famous for the production of Sicily's Red Orange along with other cities in the province such as Lentini and Carlentini.
Physical Geography
Territory
Francofonte is located in the northwest of the province of Syracuse and is only a few kilometers away from Catania and Ragusa. Thanks to its hilltop position, it is possible to admire a breathtaking panorama of the mountains, the plains, and the sea. Francofonte's Mediterranean climate makes the summer very hot and the winter rainy.
Climate
Snow in Francofonte is not a common occurrence, however, some snowfalls have been recorded over the years. The last snowfall was in February 2011 with a light accumulation of 1 or 2 cm. In winter, fog banks often occur in the road leading to Vizzini.
History
Francofonte has a long history that dates back to ancient times. Several necropolises dating back to the Bronze Age have been found in the area, some of which are still visitable. In the Roman period, Francofonte became part of the southeastern territory of Sicily and was later occupied by the Byzantines, who evangelized the local population and built many small rock chapels in natural cavities.
In 827, the invasion of the Arabs from the south began, who settled on the hill where Francofonte now stands, probably calling it "Ayn Sindi". Over the centuries, the city changed dominations several times: the Arabs were defeated by the Normans, who in turn gave way to the Aragonese.
Sicily's Red Orange of Francofonte
Production
Francofonte is famous for the production of Sicily's Red Orange, a high-quality product with a unique flavor. The oranges are harvested between January and June and cover about 2000 hectares of cultivated land. The city produces around 500,000 tons of Sicily's Red Orange every year, which is exported all over the world. In addition, Francofonte hosts the "Sagra dell'Arancia Rossa" every year, a festival that celebrates this precious fruit.
Properties and Benefits
Sicily's Red Orange is known worldwide for its beneficial properties. This fruit is rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and dietary fiber. In addition, some research has shown that Sicily's Red Orange can have a positive effect on the prevention of some diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and premature aging.
Culinary Uses
Sicily's Red Orange is very versatile in the kitchen: from jams to desserts, from first courses to second courses, its use is wide and varied. In addition, in Francofonte, you can also taste the Biscottera dell'Arancio, a typical biscuit of the local tradition.
Francofonte's Artistic and Cultural Heritage
Churches and Monuments
Francofonte is a city rich in monuments and churches. Among these, the Mother Church dedicated to St. Joseph, the Church of the Capuchin Convent which houses a valuable canvas by Guglielmo Borremans, the Civic Tower, the Town Hall, and the Castle of Francofonte.
Art and Culture
The city of Francofonte is also rich in events related to art and culture. Among the most important ones are the International Festival of Best Films (FIM), the Carnival of Francofonte, and the White Night.
Places to Visit
In addition to the monuments and churches, Francofonte also offers tourists a series of places to visit such as the Villa Comunale, the Play Park, the Civic Museum, and the San Carlo Caves.
If you are planning a trip to Sicily, do not forget to visit Francofonte, a city steeped in history and culture, where you can taste the delicious Sicily's Red Orange and admire a breathtaking panorama.
