Grotte
Discovering Grotte: a village rich in history and culture
Grotte, a small municipality with 5,165 inhabitants located in Sicily within the free municipal consortium of Agrigento, is a place deeply rooted in history.
Origins of the name
It is said that the name Grotte derives from the Punic term "Erbessus". In this language, the meaning is "Mons Foveae", which means "Hollowed Mountain", as the territory of the village is rich in caves and caverns. It is believed that Grotte arose on the ruins of the ancient Erbesso described by Polybius, a distinctive place for its limestone nature and presence of caves and caverns.
History
According to Polybius, Erbesso was destroyed by the Romans during the First Punic War. During the siege of the city of Agrigento, the Romans used this village as a storage place for food and war material. Under the Aragonese, Grotte became a feudal land, where the administration of the king was delegated to a vassal who received it as a benefit. It belonged to several families, including the Montaperto and the Ventimiglia. In the second half of the 18th century, the territory passed into the hands of Don Vincenzo La Grua Talmanca, Prince of Carini, descendant of the protagonist of the famous episode of "The Baroness of Carini". However, La Grua, burdened with debts, sold and assigned his lands to various creditors in 1800.
A religious schism
Between 1873 and 1876, a schism of the Catholic religion occurred in the village, initiated by the priest Luigi Sciarratta. By welcoming several elements of the evangelical confession, he created a separate church. He then addressed the Agrigento diocese with a printed reading in which he invited the faithful to follow the true religion. However, Sciarratta was excommunicated by Pius IX, and the separate church soon became extinct.
Symbols
The coat of arms of the house of Don Vincenzo La Grua, consisting of a crane with its vigilance on an ermine field, remained the emblem of the municipality.
Discovering Grotte's places of interest
Grotte is a village that has preserved its historical identity and can be admired by visiting its places of interest.
Religious architectures
The Mother Church of Grotte, located in the historic center, is characterized by a balustrade bell tower. The Church of Madonna del Carmelo, also overlooking the main square, was inaugurated in 1956. The 18th-century Church of Purgatory, almost intact in the purity of its lines, has a golden stucco altar present in the transept and in the right nave. The Calvary, which opens onto the main street with a steep and wide path flanked by centuries-old cypresses, is dominated by the tiny Church of the Cross where the functions of Good Friday are held annually.
A place of spirituality
The house of Father Vinti, in particular, his narrow room where the Servant of God would lock himself for hours in communion with God, pausing for a long time in prayer kneaded before His image, is still today a place where his fascinating presence is felt.
Grotte is a place that can offer a lot to visitors, such as the discovery of its history, culture, and spirituality. A destination not to be missed in the heart of Sicily.
