Misilmeri
Misilmeri: a welcoming town in northwestern Sicily
Misilmeri is a municipality of about 28,557 inhabitants located in the valley of the Eleuterio river, in Sicily. It is located on the 121 Catanese State Road, about 35 km from the city of Palermo. One of the attractions of the area is Mount Gulino, with its 844 meters.
Climate and Flora
Misilmeri is located in a temperate zone with a Mediterranean climate. Summer temperatures are hot and humid, while winters are mild and windy. The vegetation is typical of the Mediterranean scrubland.
History of Misilmeri: from Roman domination to the present day
Traces of Antiquity
At Pizzo Cannita, in 1695 and 1725, sarcophagi and other archaeological finds were discovered, which are now preserved in the Regional Archaeological Museum of Palermo. The area was the scene of Roman domination, during which a consular road was built connecting Palermo and Agrigento.
Muslim Rule and the Construction of the Castle
During the Emirate of Sicily (948-1091), Emir Giafar al-Kalbi II built a castle from which he could admire the splendid view of the Eleuterio valley to the Tyrrhenian Sea. Around the castle, a village was formed which took the name "Menzel-el-Emir," or "village of the Emir" in Arabic. In 1068, Misilmeri was the site of the decisive battle that marked the Norman conquest of Sicily.
The Renaissance of the Village and the Construction of Churches
In 1540, Baron Francesco Del Bosco founded the Misilmeri we know today, transforming it into a construction site. In 1575, the access road to the castle was opened, known as the "Strada Grande." Two new churches were erected in the 16th century: the Madrice, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, and the first church dedicated to Saint Rosalia, the patron saint of Misilmeri from 1625 to 1671, more commonly known as the Church of San Paolino.
A Botanical Garden to Relieve the Suffering of the Poor
In 1692, with the moral and financial support of the Prince of Cattolica Giuseppe Del Bosco, Francesco Cupani founded Europe's largest botanical garden in the Giardino Grande of Misilmeri. The aim was to cultivate herbs and plants to alleviate the physical suffering of the poor in the area. The botanical garden attracted the attention of the civil world of the time, as humanitarian institutions like this were still rare.
The Bonanni Family and the Legacy of the Past
During the 18th century, the Bonanni family succeeded the Del Bosco family by marriage. Today, Misilmeri is still animated by the vitality of a community that proudly preserves the treasures of its past.
Conclusions
Misilmeri is a town in northwestern Sicily with rich historical traces. Since Roman domination, the area has seen the flourishing of buildings and artifacts that today constitute the municipality's historical heritage. Through various Muslim and Norman dominations, the Church of Sant'Apollonia, the Madrice of Saint John the Baptist, and the Church of San Paolino are now witnesses of a glorious past, while Francesco Cupani's Giardino Grande and the botanical garden hosted there are evidence of a great spirit of solidarity towards the most needy. Today, Misilmeri is a welcoming town where everyone is warmly and cordially welcomed by its community.
