Marianopoli
Farewell to the Province of Caltanissetta: a brief history
The Province of Caltanissetta was established in 1818 when the Region underwent the division into provinces promoted by the Bourbon of Naples. They created the provinces of Palermo, Catania, Messina, Siracusa, Trapani, Agrigento, and Caltanissetta. The new province was large, extending over an area of and comprising 22 municipalities. The province shared borders with Palermo, Enna, Catania, Ragusa, and Agrigento.
The role of sulfur
Over the centuries, the Province of Caltanissetta played an important role in the exploitation and extraction of sulfur. During the Bourbon period, sulfur mines were owned by some noble families, while the extraction was managed by foreign companies. This led to immense tragedies such as fires and collapses, in which many miners lost their lives.
The railways of the Vittorio Emanuele Society
The Vittorio Emanuele Society was interested in building railways to transport sulfur. In this direction, the Palermo-Catania Railway and the Siracusa-Gela-Canicattì Railway were built between 1876 and 1878. The railways connected the two end ports of Porto di Catania and Porto di Licata.
Sicilian provinces are abolished
With the Sicilian special statute of 1946, the Sicilian provinces, including Caltanissetta, were abolished.
The restoration of regional provinces
The Sicilian provinces were reconstituted in 1963, adopting national legislation. In 1986, the provinces were transformed into "regional provinces."
The suppression of regional provinces
On March 28, 2014, the prospect of abolishing the 9 regional provinces became a reality. In particular, they were replaced by nine "Free Municipal Consortia" and three metropolitan areas.
Caltanissetta becomes part of the Free Municipal Consortium of Caltanissetta
With the entry into force of the law passed by the Regional Assembly of Sicily on March 12, 2014, the regional province of Caltanissetta was abolished and replaced by the free municipal consortium of Caltanissetta.
The municipalities of the Province of Caltanissetta
The Province of Caltanissetta contained 22 municipalities. At the suppression of the province, these municipalities became part of the Free Municipal Consortium of Caltanissetta.
Administrators of the Province of Caltanissetta
The list of presidents of the Province of Caltanissetta, although brief, can be found in various online sources.
In summary, the history of Caltanissetta was influenced by sulfur extraction, railway construction by the Vittorio Emanuele Society, and the decline of regional provinces. However, the suppression of the province did not negatively affect the area, which today continues to be an important cultural and commercial center of the Free Municipal Consortium of Caltanissetta.
