Gibellina
The Artistic Beauty of the city of Gibellina
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about the fabulous city of Gibellina, located in the Trapani municipal consortium in Sicily. With a population of 3712 inhabitants, Gibellina is a truly unique and historically rich city.
History
Gibellina has ancient origins, and its name comes from the Arabic word ''ǧabal'', which means 'mountain'. According to some historians, the city was founded by the Arabs in the High Middle Ages, but the medieval center formed around the XIV century when Manfredi Chiaromonte built the castle.
In 1968, the city was devastated by an earthquake and the inhabitants were forced to rebuild. Instead of rebuilding in the ancient Gibellina, they were forced to build the new city about twenty kilometers downstream. However, the choice of the site could have followed the logic of proximity to the new highway being constructed, if it weren't for the fact that the new buildable land belonged to the Salvo cousins Ignazio and Nino Salvo, mafia bosses. The new Gibellina therefore arose on the territory of the municipality of Salemi, in ''contrada Salinella'', following a vote of the city council.
The former mayor Ludovico Corrao decided to "humanize" the territory by calling on several world-renowned artists such as Pietro Consagra and Alberto Burri, as well as Mimmo Paladino, Franco Angeli, Leonardo Sciascia, and Arnaldo Pomodoro. The city immediately became a huge laboratory of experimentation and artistic planning, in which artists and valuable artistic works renewed the urban space according to an innovative perspective.
Burri's Cretto
One of the masterpieces present in Gibellina is Burri's Cretto, a land art work by the artist Alberto Burri. The old center destroyed by the earthquake was abandoned and in the 1980s it was transformed into this work of art that covers an area of about eight hectares. The work represents a symbolic fracture of the territory, as if there were a deep furrow in the earth that divides old Gibellina from new.
Burri's work is truly fascinating, and walking along the Cretto gives the feeling of walking in a sort of labyrinth that pays homage to the historical memory of the city. The fractures in the white cement recall the cracks left by the earthquake, and the work was created with the aim of freezing in time this tragic moment in the history of Gibellina.
The Meeting
Another wonderful work of art present in Gibellina is The Meeting, a sculptural monument created by Pietro Consagra. This huge bronze sculpture is located in a central square of the city and was created to celebrate the importance of relationships between people.
The sculpture represents two spherical shapes, divided by an oblique line that represents the encounter between two different worlds. If you happen to visit Gibellina, don't miss the opportunity to admire The Meeting, a real symbol of the importance of openness and dialogue between people.
The Mother Church
The Mother Church of Gibellina is another wonderful attraction in the city. The church was designed by the Italian architect Ludovico Quaroni in 1970 and is located on the top of a slight hill, at the highest point of the city.
The Mother Church is an example of modern architecture, with a structure shaped like an inverted cone that opens into a suggestive outdoor atrium. Walking along the walls of the church, you have an unforgettable panoramic view of the city.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a city with a unique atmosphere, rich in history and art, you absolutely must visit Gibellina. The city is a real wonder, and the works of art present make the urban landscape even more fascinating. Gibellina is truly a magical place that will leave an indelible mark in your mind.
