Castiglione di Sicilia
This little town rises at 621 metres above sea level, and it dominates a large
part of the Alcantara valley.
History
It takes its name from "Castel Leone", an ancient fortress, and is now
divided into 7 little villages: Rovittello, Solicchiata, Passopisciaro,
Verzella, Gravà, Mitogio and Castrorao.
The origins of Castiglione are obscure, although its foundation dates
traditionally back to the 403 a.C., when the "Nassi", an ancient Siculian
tribe, defeated by the tyrant Dyonisius of Syracuse, went up the Akesine
(now Alcantara) river, settling in this territory and increasing the
population of already existent villages.
The place was strategically important, as it was the only access to the interior
of Sicily, therefore a fortress was built there, which was later used by the
Greeks.
The modern Castiglione dates back to the Middle Age (XII century), when
the Normans chased the Arabs away and started a huge demographic
development, founding new urban areas, monasteries, and defensive buildings such
as the Castle and the Cannizzo.
The medieval urban plan, which is still recognizable in modern times,
shows the town quarters converging towards one centre, and groups of buildings
placed around inner courts.
The economy of this little town has historically been based on the growing of
flax and hazelnuts and their manufacturing.
In 1860 the inhabitants of Castiglione fought for the unification of Italy,
and later a lot of them died during the two World Wars. That's why the town have
been given a Bronze Medal for military valour on March 11th 2002.
Highlights in Castiglione
Not far from Castiglione, we advise you to visit the Byzantine Church of Santa
Domenica,
also known as «a' cubola» among the locals. It is the most important
Byzantine cubic church in Sicily, and it has been included in the list of
national monuments since August 31st 1909.
Santa Domenica has a square Greek cross plan, with a dome and three apses. The
church, made with lava blocks, was once decorated with rich byzantine
frescoes, no longer visible nowadays.
After decades of neglect, it has been recently restored, and close to it a
skeleton was found, probably of Byzantine age, suggesting the existence
of a nearby basilian graveyard.