Caltabellotta
Agrigento
Caltabellotta is one of the most ancient cities in Sicily. Archaeological findings give evidence of the existence of an ancient Sican city, possibly Camico, the capital of the Cocalo kingdom. Following that, at the end of the fifth century BC a new city arose further downstream identified with Triòcala, which was destroyed by the Romans. When the Arabs conquered the village adopted the name “Qalat al-Ballut”, meaning Rock of the Oaks, from which the modern name derives. The Saracens were replaced by the Normans, who erected a castle and numerous churches. Subsequently the city was taken over by the Peralta, the counts of Luna and Moncada and then by Alvarez de Toledo. After a brief Austrian presence in 1734 it was united with the Borbone kingdom of Naples.
Places to visit in Caltabellotta
Castle of Count Luna (or of Queen Sibilla)
Castle
The first of the two names of the fortress that dominates the area of Caltabellotta derives from the noble family that over the centuries...
Cathedral (Mother Church)
Churches
Count Roger decided to build a temple to Saint George, his protector, in precisely the place where he won the battle against the Saracens in...
Church of the Capuchins
Churches
The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, which originally belonged to the no longer existing Capuchin convent founded in 1614, stands at the...
Church of the Carmine and the Abbey
Churches
Located in Piazza Umberto I and characterised by a sober pointed façade with a flat-headed portal, the Church of Carmine formerly belonged...
Church of the Collegio
Churches
The Collegio Church is located in the northern part of the town, in the recently restored Botteghelle (“li putieddi”) street. Its exterior...
Church of Salvatore
Churches
The church was originally located within the city walls, but today is on the periphery of the current city centre. It has a basilica plan...
Church of the Itria
Churches
The Church of the Itria rises up in the heart of the historic centre and was built between the end of the sixteenth century and the first...
Church of the Pietà
Churches
The Church of the Pietà rises up from its splendid panoramic position in the higher part of the historic centre, nestled between the rocks...
Church of Saint Augustine and the "Deposition"
Churches
The Saint Augustine church was built in the fourteenth century at the east-end of the town, a walk away from the Gogala cliff. It overlooks...
Monastery of Saint Pellegrino
Monastery
The Saint Pellegrino monastery was built where legend has it the saint, Bishop of Triocala, defeated the dragon. It lies on Norman...
Hermitage of Our Lady of Montevergine
Monastery
Prince Francesco Alliata of Villafranca, who in 1624 built the village that he named Sant’Anna, developed the current sanctuary. It lies on...
Archaeological Route
Archaeological areas
The archaeological route of Caltabellotta comprises a visit to the Sican Necropolises, the Saint Cono Caves, the excavation site in the...
Palace of the Signoria - Old Prison
Palace
The Palace of the Signoria rises up from the heart of the historic centre of Caltabellotta and is known by the majority of the local people...
Ruins of the Church of Saint Francis
Archaeological areas
The former church of Saint Francis of Paola, initially dedicated to the Madonna della Raccomandata, was built at the wishes of Roger the...
Saint Augustine School
Palace
The Saint Augustine convent was the twelfth founded by Augustinian priests in Sicily. It was preserved in its entirety until around the...
