Castelbuono

Castelbuono is a city in the province of Palermo in the Italian region Sicily, with 9099 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012).

Location and data

Castelbuono is located 93 km southeast of Palermo about 15 km from the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Southwest of the city rises the Pizzo Carbonara, the highest mountain in the Monti Madonie.

The inhabitants mainly work in agriculture.

The neighboring municipalities are Cefalù, Geraci Siculo, Isnello, Petralia Sottana, Pollina and San Mauro Castel Verde.

History

The place was founded by the Siculi. The Byzantines called it Ypsigro, the Arabs Ruqqat Basili. From 1316 a fort was built by Francesco I of Ventimiglia. It served as the seat of the Counts of 1595 as the seat of the princes of Ventimiglia. The town developed around the fort and got its present name.

Economy

Among the exclusive products of the communities Castelbuono and Pollina Manna, a resin-like product of the ash (Fraxinus Fraxinus ornus and oxicarpa ) heard the laxative properties and can also be used as a sweetener. The Consorzio Obbligatorio Produttori della Manna ( Manna Mandatory Consortium of producers) guarantees the quality and serves the market regulation. 17 percent of the community areas are covered by ash forests. The product was already Galen and Dioscorides known, but is now only won in the Mediterranean area in the Madonie. Among the forms of presentation include Torroncini alla Manna and Mannettino, a cake, removed the Panettone comparable. In addition to confectionery production includes the production of knitwear to the most important economic sectors in Castelbuono. Since February 2007, six donkeys are used for waste disposal instead of the usual four trucks because they are more cost effective and environmentally friendly, according to Mayor Mario Cicero.

Attractions

  • The fort is located north of the city. It was built from 1316, and rebuilt several times since then. Inside the Chapel of Sant'Anna stand with stucco work from the 17th century and the Museo Civico with archaeological finds.
  • The church Matrice Vecchia at the Piazza was built in 1350.
  • The church Matrice Nuova in Piazza dates from the 17th century and was heavily remodeled in the 19th century. Inside there is a painted crucifix from the 15th century.
  • In the church of San Francesco, built in the Middle Ages and has since been rebuilt several times, there is the grave chapel of the Ventimiglia family.
  • The Fontana della Venere Ciprea is a fountain from the 15th century.

Events

The city hosts each year two large costume balls: In May, the festival Lu triunfu di la manna takes place in August, the festival L' arrucata li di Ventimiglia.

The end of July takes place the Giro di Castelbuono is the oldest road race in Italy.

Personalities

  • Domenico Mogavero (* 1947 in Castelbuono ), Bishop of Mazara del Vallo and member of the Sicilian bishops' conference

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