Marineo
Discovering Marineo: History, Geography, and the Central Territory of Palermo
Marineo, also known as "Marinè" in the Sicilian language, is a municipality in the metropolitan city of Palermo in Sicily. With its 6,199 inhabitants, this town is approximately 30 kilometers from the city of Palermo and is characterized by the presence of the famous Rocca, a mountain formation composed of limestone where rare and protected plants such as Short-stemmed Iris grow.
Physical Geography
The town of Marineo is located in the central territory of the metropolitan city of Palermo, 550 meters above sea level. Marineo is surrounded by mountainous terrains like Montagnola, Rocca, and Pizzo Parrino, which have significant historical and cultural importance. For instance, the remains of an ancient city of Makella were found on Pizzo Parrino.
History
Ancient Times
The origins of Marineo date back to the 8th century BC when the municipality was an indigenous settlement on Montagnola. Later, thanks to the influence of civilizations such as the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans, there was a great wealth of culture and art, still attested by the archaeological finds that have been found on Montagnola. Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, and Hohenstaufen also settled and passed through the Montagnola area.
Modern Age
From the 1500s onwards, the town was founded and built in the current location by the Bologna family. The Castle and the first 300 houses were built, and the construction of the Chiesa Madre, the Convent, and the Olivetan Monastery also began. Later, the Pilo family succeeded the Bologna family, which contributed to the beautification of churches and the founding of the Collegio di Maria.
Marineo has a more recent history of medieval foundation. In 1549, Francesco Bologna (†1552), baron of Cefalà and Capaci, requests jus populandi on the fief of Marineo. In 1571, Giliberto sells the feud and the castle of Cefalà, along with the fondaco, balneas et alias stancias, and the feud of Mendole, to Aloisio Scavuzzo Russo.
What to See
Marineo has a historical and artistic heritage of great interest, which is unfortunately undervalued. The main church of Santa Maria dell'Assunta dates back to the sixteenth century and is a perfect example of Sicilian Baroque, with a bright interior that houses numerous works of art, including paintings of Neapolitan school. The Olivetani Convent, instead, shows Romanesque and Gothic art, with a Renaissance cloister, a chapel with statues of Neapolitan school, and interesting frescoes. The Castle is a work of defensive military architecture, built in the sixteenth century and recently restored.
Curiosities
Marineo is also famous for its culinary tradition. Handmade fresh egg pasta is one of the most famous specialties of the town. Potato gnocchi, casatielli, rustic dishes with eggplants, cheeses, and cold cuts are other delicacies that lovers of good Sicilian cuisine cannot miss. There are also numerous local producers of extra-virgin olive oil and typical sweets.
Conclusions
Marineo is a town that, despite being little-known, offers many opportunities. The wild nature of the territory and its thousand-year history make it an ideal destination for those who want to discover Sicily outside the usual places. The tranquility of the municipality, the friendliness of the people, and the good local cuisine make it an unmissable stop for those who want to learn about Sicilian culture and art.
