Siculiana
Siculiana is a town and comune in the province of Agrigento, Sicily, southern Italy, 13 kilometres (8 mi) west of the provincial capital Agrigento.
Siculiana | |
|---|---|
| Comune di Siculiana | |
 | |
 Coat of arms | |
Location of Siculiana 
| |
  Siculiana Location of Siculiana in Italy  Siculiana Siculiana (Sicily) | |
| Coordinates: 37°20′N 13°25′E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Sicily |
| Province | Agrigento (AG) |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Leonardo Lauricella |
| Area | |
| • Total | 40 km2 (20 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 120 m (390 ft) |
| Population (2017)[2] | |
| • Total | 4,471 |
| • Density | 110/km2 (290/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Siculianesi |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 92010 |
| Dialing code | 0922 |
| Patron saint | SS. Crucifix |
| Saint day | May 3 |
| Website | Official website |
History
According to some historians, the name derives from the distortion of the Arabic Suq al Jani ("John's market"), while others believe its origin stems from Suqu 'l Yuni or Supu 'l Yunani ("Market of the Greeks").[3]
The medieval hamlet of Siculiana was founded in 1310 by Frederick II Chiaramonte. Frederick constructed a castle, parts of which still exist today, on the ruins of the Arab fortress known as "Kalat Sugul", which had been destroyed in 1087 during the conquest of Sicily by Roger I.[3][4]
Geography
Siculiana’s 13-kilometre (8 mi) long coast line is largely unspoiled; a protected Regional Nature Reserve has been established in the locality of Torre Salsa for its natural beauty and environmental interest.[3]
Siculiana Marina is a suburban seaside village of Siculiana on the Strait of Sicily. Once an important settlement for maritime trade in the Mediterranean, with a prominent commercial Marketplace emporium, it is now a popular summer resort. The Caricatore (Loading Dock) was still active up to the end of 19th century.[3]
Monuments
The ruins of the once-embattled Castello Chiaramonte, near the coast, is a prominent feature of the landscape. Within the city, the Baroque church Santuario del Santissimo Crocifisso is a well-known landmark. Inside is revered the Black Crucifix, which was moved to the church in 1611 from the castle in which it was previously kept.
People
- Francesco Agnello, Baron of Siculiana, musicologist, president of the Association "Amici della musica" - Palermo
- Frank Sivero, an American character actor[5]
- Giuseppe Basile, Surgeon - Doctor of Garibaldi
- Blasco Isfar e Corillas, Baron of Siculiana
References
- "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- "Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- Introducing Siculiana, Siculiana on line
- (in Italian) Tra antiche seduzioni e nuovi richiami, by Enza Pecorelli, Siculiana on line
- "Frank Sivero Biography ((?)-)". Film Reference. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
