Chiaramonte Gulfi
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Chiaramonte Gulfi
Ciaramunti | |
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Comune di Chiaramonte Gulfi | |
UTC+2 (CEST) | |
Postal code | 97012 |
Dialing code | 0932 |
Patron saint | San Vito and La Madonna di Gulfi |
Saint day | 15 June |
Website | Official website |
Chiaramonte Gulfi (Sicilian: Ciaramunti) is a town and comune in the province of Ragusa, Sicily, southern Italy.
Geography
Chiaramonte Gulfi is located on a hill-top 15 kilometres (9 mi) north of
The town is also called Balcony of Sicily for its panoramic position, with views over the Valley of the Ippari and its towns (Comiso, Vittoria, Acate) and all the way to the Mediterranean Sea if looking south, as far as Mount Etna in direction north and to the Erean Mountains with Caltagirone if looking west.
History
In the area numerous archeological sites from the
The city was founded by the Greek colonists from
The ancient town was destroyed a second time by the Arabs under Asad ibn al-Furat in 827 AD, and the name Acrillae disappeared. The rebuilt centre was known by the Arabic name of Gulfi,[4] which means "pleasurable place".
In 1299 Gulfi was besieged and captured by
In 1593 the town had grown outside the walls and had 5,711 inhabitants. It was nearly entirely destroyed by an earthquake in 1693, and was subsequently rebuilt.
Main sights
- Northern Gate or Arco dell'Annunziata, dating to the 14th century.
- Basilica of Santa Maria la Nova, in the main square of the town.
- Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary of Gulfi, located just south of Chiaramonte.
- Church of Santo Vito, on the southern part.
- Church of San John the Baptist, on the highest point of the town.
- Villa comunale, the public gardens of Chiaramonte with a balcony with a panoramic view.
Economy
The local economy is based on agriculture, mainly olives, vineyards, vegetables, almonds and the raising of pigs and cattle. The area of Chiaramonte is also known for its
See also
- Monti Iblei Cup (Hill Climb)
Twin towns — sister cities
References
- ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ Population data Istat, 31 December 2006
- ^ William Smith, ed. (1854). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography.
- ^ Sicily. Michelin Tyre. 2009. p. 144.
External links
Media related to Chiaramonte Gulfi at Wikimedia Commons
- (in Italian) Chiaramonte Gulfi official website Archived 2012-04-27 at the Wayback Machine