Experience Sicily: Welcome to Chiaramonte Gulfi
Acrille, Gulfi and Chiaramonte
The valley still bears signs of bygone communities. The very ancient community of the natives who became entwined with the Greek settlers, was named “Acrille” after the latter and saw its moment of glory during the Greek and Roman eras. Another encompassed the Arab conquerors and bore the name “Gulfi”, disappearing in 1299, when it was attacked by the Angevin people who attacked the townspeople and set the place alight. * The new town located in the hills opposite, was named after its Feudal Lord and Sire, Manfredi Chiaramonte. It witnessed many dramatic events throughout the course of history, the most traumatic being the 1693 earthquake that destroyed many eastern Sicilian towns.
Surrounded by verdant olive groves and pine forests. After Italian unification, olive growing was boosted significantly and olive groves soon covered the fertile valley. In the last century, the location was prized so much so that the panoramic viewpoint to the northwest in the “Piano dei Cappuccini” was named “The Balcony of Sicily”. Today the area boasts an outstanding artistic patrimony, breathtaking natural surroundings and dense woodland surrounding the mountains above and below the town. This woodland serves as the green lungs of the region, dividing the valley and the mountains.
From Piazza Duomo to the public gardens.
Walking tours may begin in the central square “Piazza Duomo” that serves as drop- off point for the tourist coach. Visitors will be astounded by the impressive Chiesa Madre, erected in honour of Saint Maria La Nova, initially constructed in the Renaissance period (1608) and undergoing two modifications in the late Baroque era. A visit to the Piazza is not complete without a trip to the Sacred Art Museum *with its collection of military and historic artefacts. *
Next door, the eighteenth century Palazzo Montesano is home to another five museums dedicated to oil, ornithology, ethnic musical instruments, Liberty and the works of Giovanni De Vita respectively.
Relics from the Renaissance period can be viewed in the nearby churches of Salvatore and San Filippo (Saint Phillip) (of particular interest is the archway of a chapel by Nicolò Mineo).
Heading down the “Corso”, the town’s main thoroughfare and prime location for the traditional “passeggiata” (stroll), one comes across the former Francescan convent, today “Palazzo di Città” (Town Hall), (renovated at the start of the twentieth century). The former church next door is now used as a community hall in honour of Sicilian author Leonardo Sciascia. Similar in terms of style are the adjacent eighteenth and nineteenth century buildings along Corso Umberto, as well as the church of San Giuseppe (Saint Joseph), between the Corso and the Piazza (the main street and the square), built in the XVII century (side portal) and renovated in the XVIII century with elegant stuccoes by Giovanni Gianforma.
At the end of the Corso facing west, visitors will marvel at the Villa Comunale, built at the end of the nineteenth century. Each of the viewpoints affords vast, breathtaking panoramas, (allowing you to experience “the Balcony of Sicily” for yourselves, a term coined by visitors in centuries gone-by).
A church dedicated to the town’s patron saint, Saint Vito overlooks the valley to the west and features an elegant neoclassical façade. The church boasts a wooden statue of the owner by Melchiorre Ereddia (XVI century) housed in an intriguing “fercolo” (Saint’s relics holder) by Benedetto Cultraro (XVIII century), both Chiaramonte artists.
The church and convent of Santa Maria di Gesù (XVII century) are located further east at the outskirts of town. The church is home to some interesting pieces, including the Gagini school statue of the Madonna with Child (XVII century), a wooden crucifix (first quarter of the XVII century) by Umile da Petralia *, a Pietà statue by the Preti school (XVII century), the painting Saint Francis of Assisi (1725) by Simone Ventura and remains of elegant stuccoes by Gianforma (XVIII century). The convent has undergone recent renovation works and is bestowed with a myriad of delights. The cloisters bear witness to the various construction phases, while the opulent eighteenth century flooring is fashioned in local stone.
Wandering the streets of the old town. The medieval town is well worth a visit. This area can be accessed via the Arco dell’Annunziata, the last remnant of the ancient city walls of which this was the main entrance. In the small square, just next to the Arco, you will see the Annunziata church, which is today used as a parish hall. Climb the evocative stairway to discover the church of San Giovanni Battista (Saint John the Baptist), built in the XV century but entirely renovated in the XVIII to give the church’s present day appearance (internal parts) and the XIX century (facade). Of particular interest are the wooden statue of Saint John the Baptist and the golden “ark”, in the shape of a small renaissance church, by Rosario and Mariano Distefano (1869), paintings by Lorenzo Cutello (XVIII century), a wooden statue of Christ at the Column by Carmelo Distefano (start of the XIX century) and a painting of Our Lady of Sorrows (XVII century).The narrow streets and asymmetric stairways that link the lower part with the “Piano di San Giovanni”, where the castle stood until 1693, make for an unusual and fascinating walk. Via Lauria, one of these ancient, winding streets houses the Embroidery Museum.
The Pine forest. In the mountains overlooking the town and just next to a natural spring we come across the small church of Madonna delle Grazie (Our Lady of the Graces), whose marble statue was sculpted by Cola Maldotto (XVII century). The most ancient part of the pine forest surrounding the church was planted in 1936 and still thrives exuberantly to this day. A path beginning next to the church leads through the woods to the Arcibessi summit, where visitors may visit several ancient “neviere” (rudimentary ice stores dug into the ground). [*]Trekking and cyclo-cross fans may follow the narrow gauge railway, which once linked the mountain villages, last used in the 1950’s.
The Chiaramonte valley is laden with olive groves and vines, planted in a densely populated area with ancient villas and rural properties, many of which have been lovingly restored in harmony with local surroundings. This is the legacy of an essentially agricultural culture. Still today, agriculture is a source of income for locals. Varieties of table and high quality wine grapes are produced in considerable quantities. Just as important is the production of the prized olive oil that has now been awarded D.O.P certification.Visitors to the area will find genuine, prized Chiaramonte produce in any of the many farms and factories.