Petralia Sottana
A Small Mountain Town in Sicily
Petralia Sottana is an Italian municipality of 2472 inhabitants located in the metropolitan city of Palermo in Sicily. It is part of the Madonie Park and the Bandiera Arancione circuit. The town is located on the southern slope of the Madonie mountain range and is built on a hill between 900 and 1100 meters above sea level. The municipal area is vast and extends for 178 km², mainly in the mountainous area. In the northern part, almost entirely encompassed by the Madonie Park, there are vast formations of broadleaf and coniferous forests, while in the southern part, extensive seed crops prevail. The climate is typically Mediterranean, with cold and rainy winters and hot and dry summers.
A Bit of History
The first traces of human settlement date back to the 4th/3rd millennium BC, as evidenced by the archaeological finds of the nearby Grotta del Vecchiuzzo. In much more recent times, there must have been an indigenous settlement strongly influenced by the nearby Greek colony of Himera. In the 3rd century BC, with the Roman conquest, Petra became a "decuman" city and a center of some importance as a military garrison and agricultural market. The town then followed the fate of the rest of the island, undergoing barbarian invasions first and the subsequent Byzantine reconquest. With the Arab conquest, in the 9th century, the city was renamed "Batarliah" or "Batraliah" and became an important strategic military stronghold and market. Some dialectal expressions or denominations of districts and a precious bronze candelabrum, part of the rich treasure of the Mother Church, have survived from the Arab presence.
Geographical Situation
Petralia Sottana is located in a strategic position on the high valley of the Southern Imera River. The municipal territory mainly develops in latitude, from the watershed of the Madonie mountain range in the north to reach the province of Caltanissetta in the south. The territory is part of Agricultural Region 3 ("Inner Mountain - Eastern Madonie"). The municipality is classified as seismic classification type "2," and many earthquakes over time have hit the locality, sometimes causing damage and casualties, but never reaching levels of great disaster.
Climate
The climate of Petralia Sottana is typical of the Mediterranean climate, with fairly cold and rainy winters with abundant snowfalls, and hot and dry summers.
Petralia Sottana is a small mountain town with a lot of history and breathtaking landscapes. Those seeking a break from the hectic city life or wanting to relax in an unspoiled natural environment will find the perfect place in Petralia Sottana. The town is located in a strategic position surrounded by nature and offers different opportunities for hiking or cycling. Petralia Sottana is also an excellent starting point for visiting other cities in Sicily, such as Palermo or Cefalù. Furthermore, the town is the venue for various cultural activities and events throughout the year, making the stay even more interesting and enjoyable for visitors. If you are looking for a place to relax and enjoy the scenery, Petralia Sottana is the perfect place for you!
