Villasmundo
Discovering Villasmundo
Hi there! Today I'm going to tell you about Villasmundo, a hamlet in the province of Syracuse, in Sicily. This town has an interesting history and several places of interest to visit.
History of Villasmundo
The origin of this town is linked to the San Giuliano fiefdom, owned by Count Guglielmo Raimondo Moncada and later passed to Antonio di Sacca. In 1397, the knight Martino Scalambro convinced King Martino I of Sicily to entrust the fiefdom to Antonio di Sacca, who had been accused of theft. After the knight's death, his son Pietro Scalambro inherited the territory.
Since then, the fiefdom changed hands several times, from the Scalambro to the Arezzo, Asmundo, and Paternò - Castello families. In 1701, Don Consalvo Asmundo was granted permission to build a settlement in the fiefdom, which was named "Villa Asmundo". In 1715, the town received legal recognition from King Vittorio Amedeo II of Savoy.
To encourage the settlement of inhabitants, safe conduct was given to outlaws who settled in the area, provided they had a house and land to cultivate independently. In 1778, even Vivant Denon spent a night in Villasmundo.
The town was administratively entrusted to Carlentini at the time of its foundation, then passed to Melilli in 1854 and then to Augusta, before returning to Melilli.
Places of Interest in Villasmundo
Religious Architectures
The church of San Michele Arcangelo is a Rococo-style building located in Piazza Risorgimento. Built in 1711, it was headed by a curate vicar or assistant rector, assisted by one or more chaplains since 1725. In 1890, the parish was established.
Natural Areas
In Villasmundo, along the Cugno di Rio stream, a large group of karstic caves was discovered in 1977, and in 1998 a nature reserve was established for their protection, managed by CUTGANA of the University of Catania. Near the town is also the locality "Timpa Ddieri" known as Petraro, a prehistoric site with cliff rocks.
Society in Villasmundo
Demographic Evolution
In the past, the inhabitants of Villasmundo dedicated their lives to agriculture and pastoralism. In the feudal period, the economic conditions must have been decent: between 1711 and 1720, the village housed 545 inhabitants. Historian Jean Lévesque de Burigny speaks of a flourishing condition of Villasmundo during that period.
Conclusions
Villasmundo is a town rich in history and places to discover. If you're in the area, don't miss the opportunity to visit the church of San Michele Arcangelo, the nature reserve with the karstic caves, and the prehistoric site of Petraro. And don't forget to admire the beauty of the surrounding landscape!
