Santa Margherita di Belice
A journey to Santa Margherita di Belìce
If you're looking for a destination that combines history, culture, and natural beauty, Santa Margherita di Belìce in Sicily might be the perfect place for you! With its population of just under 6000, Santa Margherita is located in the free municipal consortium of Agrigento in the southwestern part of Sicily. In this article, I'll tell you a bit about the history of this town, which has a long tradition of human settlements, and suggest some attractions not to be missed during your visit.
Rich history of culture and traditions
Like many other areas of Sicily, the territory on which Santa Margherita di Belìce stands today has a long history. Over the centuries, numerous peoples have passed through these lands, including the Sicani, Sicelioti, and Romans. One fundamental stage of Santa Margherita's history is the era of Islamic Sicily, when the casale of Manzil-Sindi stood on this territory, named after a Muslim leader. With the arrival of the Normans, the casale took the name "Misilindino" or "Misirindino," and later the town was founded by Baron Antonio Corbera, who obtained a license to settle the land from Philip II of Spain. In 1610, King Philip III of Spain authorized the town to be called Santa Margarita.
The town has given birth to numerous illustrious figures, including the Filangieri, maternal ancestors of the writer Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, author of The Leopard, who set part of the novel in his country residence in Santa Margherita. The famous director Luchino Visconti made a film based on the novel, which won the Palme d'Or for Best Film at the Cannes Film Festival and was selected as one of the 100 Italian films to be saved. The doctor and honorable Giuseppe Traina is also originally from Santa Margherita di Belìce.
What to see in Santa Margherita di Belìce
The town offers numerous attractions for all tastes. Among the most interesting destinations, I suggest:
- The Tower of Charles V, located in the upper part of the town, opposite the Ducal Palace, which offers a spectacular view of the Belice Valley and the Madonie Mountains.
- The Mother Church of Santa Margherita, one of the most important churches in the town dedicated to the patron saint.
- The Archaeological Museum, where you can admire archaeological artifacts that tell the history of the area since prehistoric times.
- The Riserva Naturale Orientata Foce del Fiume Belice and dune limitrofe, a protected area of great ecological importance.
- The Municipal Theater, inaugurated in 1892 and recently renovated, which hosts theater, music, and dance performances.
The 1968 Belice earthquake
On the night of January 15, 1968, a violent earthquake struck the town of Santa Margherita di Belìce and the entire Belice Valley, causing 231 deaths and almost completely destroying the town. From that moment on, a long and complex reconstruction effort began that lasted several years. Today, Santa Margherita has risen from its ashes, and its past is told through the Memory and Reconstruction Museum, which collects photographs, documents, and testimonies from the earthquake and reconstruction era.
In conclusion, Santa Margherita di Belìce is a destination that offers much to discover, with a history rich in culture and traditions and numerous tourist attractions. If you're looking for a destination for a holiday focused on nature and culture, Santa Margherita might be the right choice for you.
