Acate

Acate is a municipality in the province of Ragusa in the region of Sicily in Italy with 9962 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012).

Location and data

Acate located 34 km north- west of Ragusa. The inhabitants live mainly from agriculture. Are grown mainly citrus fruits, artichokes, olives, tomatoes and wine.

The districts of Acate are Macconi and Marina di Acate.

The neighboring municipalities are Caltagirone (CT ), Chiara Gulfi, Gela (CL ), Mazzarrone (CT) and Vittoria.

History

The town has existed since the 13th century. In the middle of the 17th century, moved the settlement because of the malaria -infested swamps in the valley to a higher place. Acate was heavily damaged by the earthquake in 1693, rebuilt in the following years but again. Until 1938 it was known as Biscari. Received its current name the place after the agate rock that existed in large quantities in the river Dirillo. Born in Acate residents still refer to themselves as " Viscarani "; the "b" is in the local dialect of the "V".

Attractions

The San Nicola church dates from the 17th century. It was built after the destruction caused by the 1693 earthquake slightly smaller again to give the facade completed it in 1950. The church is located in Piazza della Liberta, opposite the castle built from 1454. The castle has a square floor plan and has been highly altered in the 18th century during the renovation after the earthquake. Next to the castle there is the San Vincenzo church with the remains of the saint San Vinzenzo.