Santo Stefano Quisquina
Santo Stefano Quisquina: discover the village surrounded by the Sicani mountains
Welcome to Santo Stefano Quisquina, a Sicilian municipality located at 732 meters above sea level, nestled among the Sicani mountains. The municipal territory covers an area of 44.17 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 4,077 inhabitants. In this text, we will talk about the physical geography, toponymy, the origin of the name Quisquina and the history of this fascinating municipality.
Physical Geography
Territory
Santo Stefano Quisquina is located in the hinterland of Agrigento, surrounded by the Sicani mountains. Its municipal territory extends into the Magazzolo valley, crossed by the Magazzolo and Platani rivers.
Orography
The mountains that surround the village are numerous: amongst the most famous and striking there are Monte San Calogero that rises up to 967 meters, Serra della Moneta with its 1188 meters, Mounts San Filippo and Kadera with altitudes of 1192 meters, Pizzo Stagnataro that reaches 1346 meters, Pizzo Castelluzzo with its 1011 meters, Serra Quisquina with a high of 1059 meters, and Pizzo della Rondine with a high of 1246 meters.
Hydrography
The Santo Stefano Quisquina municipal territory is characterized by the presence of numerous springs. Due to the presence of the Magazzolo and Platani rivers, the area is rich in water.
Origin of the Name
The name "Santo Stefano" derives from the Greek "stefanos" meaning "crown" and the municipality was named after Santo Stefano Protomartire. The name "Quisquina" instead derives from the Arabic "coschin" meaning "darkness," due to the dense vegetation present in the forested area surrounding the municipality. In the past, the municipality was initially called "Santo Stefano di Melia" and then "Santo Stefano di Bivona." The current name, "Santo Stefano Quisquina," was definitively adopted in 1863.
History
The village of Santo Stefano Quisquina was born around the Capo Favara springs with the aim of being an agro-pastoral center. Some documents attest to the existence of a "Sancti Stephani" hamlet already in the 10th century, whose territory was owned by the Sinibaldi, relatives of Saint Rosalia. In 1296, during the reign of Frederick III of Sicily, Giovanni di Caltagirone became the first lord of Santo Stefano Quisquina. In the course of the centuries, numerous noble families succeeded each other in the government of the municipality, including the Larcan, who in 1559 sold much of the assets to the Protonotaro of the Kingdom of Sicily, Alfonso Ruiz. In 1574, his mother Elisabetta received the barony as a gift, which passed to the Ventimiglia family in 1599. During their reign, the Mother Church and the Baronial Castle were rebuilt, leading the municipality to demographic and architectural development.
In 1812, Santo Stefano Quisquina became part of the new district of Bivona, while on May 10, 1863, the current denomination of the municipality was officially adopted.
Conclusion
Santo Stefano Quisquina is a municipality that, with its history and unspoilt nature, offers visitors the opportunity to discover the charm of lesser-known Sicily. The village, located among the Sicani mountains and surrounded by striking vegetation, represents an ideal destination for those who want to spend a holiday surrounded by nature and tranquility or for those who want to discover the history and culture of Sicily.
