Randazzo
The urban plan of this characteristic small town reveals its medieval origins and
represents its main pride.
Its name comes from the ancient Sicilian word "rannazzu", meaning large
village, probably due to its wide and quick development.
In late Roman times or early Middle Ages, an earthquake or an imposing lava
eruption forced the first inhabitants to leave the original site of Randazzo
settling further to the west, in a safer place, on a wide lava plain not far
from the Alcantara river spring, between the Alcantara and Simeto rivers.
According to history, the town was inhabited by three different peoples -
Greeks, Romans and Lombards - soon after its foundation. Each one of them
has left traces of its culture in the three different dialects spoken in the
three quarters Randazzo was divided in ever since. Each community of citizens
also had a separate church, which acted as the main church in town following an
annual rotation.
Today Randazzo has about 12.000 inhabitants, whose main economic activities are
the production of wine grapes, olives, hazelnuts, almonds and chestnuts,
and the breeding of sheep, cows and goats. The products of both these activities
can be appreciated at the local cattle fair taking place in June.
Highlights in Randazzo
Apart from its characteristic narrow streets, typical of the medieval age, the
main attractions in Randazzo are the three medieval churches of Saint Mary,
Saint Martin and Saint Nicholas.
Saint Mary was built with lava blocks between 1217 and 1239 according to
the Norman style, with three imposing apses shaped as merloned towers, several
simple, double and triple-lancet windows on the right side, a gothic portal on
the left side, and a precious main portal dating back to the XV century
decorated with a marble statue of the Virgin Mary. The dome was added in the XIX
century, and it has been recently restored and covered with copper slabs. The
interior of the church is divided into three naves by lava stone columns with
elegantly engraved capitals.
Saint Martin was built in the XIII century too, and has an elegant bell
tower with simple and double-lancet windows.
Saint Nicholas was renovated in the XVI century, and it has several
statues from the Gaginis' school and a baptismal font in gothic style.
Other monuments are the surviving portions of the medieval defensive walls,
Saint Martin's Gate, and the Swabian Castle, repeateadly restored and
now hosting the Archaeological Museum "Paolo Vagliasindi".