|
We explore Bisacquino, Sicily, a
commune in Western Sicily, near the Belice Valley. |
|
Bisacquino is
74 km. south of Palermo. It is also centrally located with easy access to
Agrigento (82 km.) and Caltanissetta
(137 km.). The commune has a population of about 7,000. Bisacquino is
an agricultural centre. It produces cereals, olives, vegetables, almonds,
hazel-nuts and wine-grapes. It is also a center for sheep and cattle
breeding. The name Bisacquino derives from an Arabic farm house Busackuin
(rich in waters) due to the plenty of waters present in the site. Until the
XII century it was in possession of some local noble until 1778 when the
Archbishop from Monreale assumed ownership and it remained until it passed
into the royal Federal family. Located in
the vicinity of Mount Triona, there is the Sanctuary of the Madonna of the
Balzo, built in 1678, that dominates the
Belice
Valley below. The
Cathedral Church of the small town is dedicated to St. Giovanni the Baptist.
It was built in 1713 to replace a previously destroyed church. The comune
collection of archaeological findings introduces also a discreet Civic Museum
of etnoantropologico character but also with one, accommodated near the
former convent of the Cappuccini, the Cappuchin monks. The archaeological
findings are to character Greek-Punic origins, and presents historical
embroidery and typical domestic life of the times. In the vicinities of the
country one finds the 700 year old Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Balzo and
the Abbey of Saint Maria del Bosco surrounded by the
Forest of Calatamauro, near
Mount
Genuardo, an
evocative forest. The nearby sister community is Contessa Entellina. Local New Orleans writer, Andrew Montalbano writes about his journey to his family village of Bisacquino. He wrote his journals in the book called Sicilian Sun. which reveals the culture and history of this commune, and traces his family immigration to New Orleans. |
|
BISACQUINO |
|
Local museum - via Orsini, Tel. 091/8351111 |
|
Museo Civico |
|
Sanctuary of Madonna del Balzo - Built 1678 - offers view of the Belice valley |
|
Chiesa - church |
|
|
|
Town Hall is
in via Stazione, tel. ++39 091-8352144 fax. ++39 091-8352144. |
|
Municipio |
|
Abbazia di Santa Maria del Bosco di Calatamauro - 16th and 17th c. ruins nearby |
|
Abbey |
|
mountain
range near the commune which hosts the Madonna del Balzo
|
|
Mount Triona |
|
Festival of the Crucifixion - the major Passover festival in remembrance of Christ |
|
Festa del Crocifisso |
|
La Vistizioni di lu Bambinu, e la sagra delle noccioline (6 Gennaio) |
|
Festa visit of Christ |
|
Bisacquino,
offers interesting churches with Arab architectural features to tour.
Genealogy records can be researched in the churches. Start with the
top family names in Bisaquino. 1.) Chiesa
Madre (San Giovanni Battista) (founded 1713 on the site of a 16th century
church)
|