Petralia Soprana

Petralia Soprana is a city in the province of Palermo in the Italian region Sicily, with 3416 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012).

Location and data

Petralia Soprana located on a 1147 m high rock and is the highest municipality in the Monti Madonie. Distance to Palermo in the north- west is 111 km.

The inhabitants mainly work in agriculture and in the food industry.

The neighboring municipalities are Alimena Blufi, Bompietro, Gangi, Geraci Siculo and Petralia Sottana.

History

Petralia Soprana is Sicanian or Greek origin. In the 3rd century BC, the city was known under the name of Petraea. Under Arab rule, he was regarded as an impregnable fortress, which was inhabited by Arabs and Christians. Under Norman rule a fort was built below the village to the neighboring community today Petralia Sottana developed.

Attractions

  • The Church of San Salvatore, a former mosque with a large dome, was consecrated by Roger I. to the church.
  • Is now located at the site of a former Norman castle, the Church of Santa Maria di Loreto. The church was built in the 15th century and rebuilt in the 18th century in the Rococo style.
  • In a former Carmelite monastery is the town hall of the city.
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