Naro

Naro is a municipality in the province of Agrigento in the Italian region Sicily.

Location and data

Naro is located 30 km east of Agrigento at an altitude of 520 meters. The town has 8045 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012), they reside in an area of ​​207 square kilometers. The main occupation of the inhabitants is agriculture and textile industry.

The neighboring municipalities are Agrigento, Caltanissetta (CL ), Camastra, Campobello di Licata, Canicattì, Castrofilippo, Delia (CL ), Favara, Licata, Palma di Montechiaro Ravanusa and Sommatino (CL).

History

The city was founded under Arab rule and grew from the 12th century. Under Frederick II it became a royal town. Then Naro went through as a fief to the Chiaramonte family, build in the 14th century in the typical Chiaramonte style instead of an Arab fortress and a castle was restored many churches. After the decline of the Chiaramonte family, the city passed into royal possession.

Structures

• The fort or castle Chiaramonte dates from the 14th century and has a rectangular plan with strong walls and two towers. Interesting is the eastern tower, which is built probably already under Frederick II.
• The sanctuary of San Calogero on Via Umberto I displays the Baroque façade. Inside there is the cave where the hermit lived.
• The San Giovanni Battista church on Via Dante was built in the 17th century and has beautiful frescoes of the 18th century.
• The ruins of the Chiesa Matrice Vecchia comes from the Gothic period to get the pointed arch portal.
• The new church Chiesa Matrice 18th century was a Jesuit church.
• The church of San Francesco, built in the 13th century, was renovated in 1635 and received a facade in the style of Sicilian Baroque.
• The construction of the church of San Salvatore in the 16th century remained unfinished.
• The parish church, built in 1619, houses a late Gothic baptistery and beautiful stucco work.
• The church of Santa Catarina from the 14th century shows a Baroque facade today. Inside the Gothic style, was restored. You can see frescoes and a baptismal font from the 15th century.
• The Gaetano Palace in the Via Dante has a magnificent baroque façade with scenic views.
• In a former Minoritenkloster from the 13th century are City Hall and the Feliciana Library. Here manuscripts miniatures and archaeological finds from the area are exhibited.

Environment

South of Naxos is the 542 meter high mountain Castellazzo di Camastra. It lies between Camastra and Palma di Montechiaro. Excavations early Christian catacombs were found.

Events

In the summer months in the city center, see theatrical performances take place in Sicilian dialect, called " scalinata ". In addition, each year, on June 18 a great feast in honor of the patron saint San Calogero.