Page 132 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sicily

130  SICIL Y AREA B Y AREA

o Caltanissetta
Road map D3. * 61,000. V from
Catania & Palermo (095-532 719).
n Proloco, Palazzo Moncada (0934-
585 890/338-441 43 00.
∑ caltanissettaturismo.it
One of the earliest traces of a
settlement in this area is the
Abbazia di Santo Spirito, a
Norman abbey commissioned
by Roger I and his wife Adela sia
in the late 11th century and
consecrated in 1153. It is still
one of the most interesting
sights in Caltanissetta and its
immediate vicinity. In common The Baroque façade of San Sebastiano, completed in the 1800s
with other hill towns in the
interior, Caltanissetta was walk down Corso Umberto I The Museo Mineralogico,
surrounded by medieval walls will take you to Sant’Agata – Paleontologico e della
and then expanded towards the or Chiesa del Collegio – built Zolfara, established by the
monasteries, built around the in 1605 for the Jesuits of local Mineralogy School,
town from the 15th century on. Caltanissetta, next to their S. Mottura, has a fine and
The centre of a thriving mineral- seminary. The rich decoration extensive collec tion of
rich area, it became prosperous inside includes a marble statue minerals and fossils.
after the Unification of Italy of St Ignatius in Glory on the
thanks to the sulphur and rock left-hand transept altar, the R Abbazia di Santo Spirito
salt mines. It was during this altarpiece San Francesco Saverio Tel 0934-566 596. Open 9am–noon,
period that the look of the town in a side chapel and a canvas of 4–7pm daily.
changed with the construction the Martyrdom of Sant’Agata. E Museo Archeologico
of buildings and public works. Not far from the Castello di Contrada Santo Spirito. Tel 0934-567
In the heart of town, in Piazza Pietrarossa, pro bably a former 062. Open 9am–1pm, 3:30–7pm daily.
Garibaldi, are the Baroque San Arab fortress, is the Museo Closed last Mon of month. &
Sebastiano and the Cathedral Archeologico, where the E Museo Mineralogico
(dedicated to Santa Maria la sections are given over to Tel 0934-591 280. Open 9am–1pm
Nova and San Michele). A brief archae o logy and modern art. Mon–Sat, by request Sun (call 349-710
25 25). & 8 call 349-710 25 25.
} The Sulphur Mines
n Ente Parco Minerario Floristella,
Grottacalda (0935-958 105).
∑ enteparcofloristella.it
For centuries the Floristella
sulphur field was one of the
most important sources of
wealth in the Sicilian hinterland.
The Abbazia di Santo Spirito, one of the major Norman churches in Sicily Mining activity ceased in 1988
Easter Week
In the interior of Sicily the celebrations of the Misteri, or statues of the Stations of the Cross, during Easter
Week are of the greatest importance. At Enna they begin on Palm Sunday. For four days, the 15 city
confraternities take part in processions through the streets to the
Cathedral; on Good Friday a huge torchlit procession bears the statue
of the Madonna of the Seven Griefs, the Reliquary of Christ’s Thorn
and the Dead Christ’s Urn through the city; then on Easter Sunday the
Resurrected Christ and the Virgin Mary statues meet in Piazza Duomo.
At Caltanissetta, celebrations begin on Wednesday with the Procession
of the Holy Sacrament, followed by the representatives of the 11 city
confraternities. On Maundy Thursday the large statues of the Passion
of Christ are taken through the city and on Good Friday the Passion of Part of the colourful Easter
the Black Christ ends the celebrations. Week celebrations

For hotels and restaurants in this region see p203 and pp213–14

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