Partanna

Part Anna is a city in the province of Trapani in Sicily region of Italy, with 10,801 inhabitants (as of 31 December 2012).

Location and data

Part Anna is situated 82 km south-east of Trapani. Part Anna covers an area of 82 km ², which gives 139 inhabitants per km ². The inhabitants work mainly in agriculture, dye works and the beverage industry.

The neighboring municipalities are Castelvetrano, Montevago (AG), Salaparuta and Santa Ninfa.

History

The origin of the community is in Greek times. In the Middle Ages, the city developed around the castle. In 1139 it became a fief of the Grifeo family.

In the 1968 earthquake, much of the city were destroyed. The church was rebuilt on the same site.

Attractions

Chiesa Madre

The Church of Transfiguration di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo, the Chiesa Madre Part Anna, built 1589-1676, is located in Via Vittorio Emanuele and is the parish church of Part Anna. In the 1968 earthquake partially destroyed it was then restored. The church has three naves. Here are pictures from the 17th century. The organ was designed by Paolo Amato.

More

North of the village the sanctuary of the Madonna della Libera, built stands between 1975 and 1982. The church is built of reinforced concrete and has a high bell tower.

The Castello dei Grifeo castle in the middle of the historic center has been built in Arab- Norman period. In the 14th and 17th centuries it was largely rebuilt. The castle is located in a good condition.

Pictures

Chiesa Madre

Chiesa del Purgatorio

Castello dei Grifeo

More

It became famous place by the book " Rita Atria, a woman against the Mafia " by the author Petra Reski. The biography is about the lives of the girl Rita, growing up in Part Anna. It portrays the mafia quagmire of crime and corruption in the city. After Rita's father and her brother, both members of the Mafia are killed, Rita decides in a bold move, to testify against the Mafia in Part Anna. After the attacks on the judges Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino on 23 May on 19 July of 1992, Rita Atria commits suicide shortly afterwards in Rome and shares in a letter that she could now protect no one.