Santo Stefano Quisquina

Santo Stefano Quisquina is a city in the province of Agrigento in the Italian region Sicily.

Location and data

Santo Stefano Quisquina is 75 km north of Agrigento. Here live 4838 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012), who mainly work in agriculture. In the village there are several cheese factories, which maintain the making of several ricotta varieties that have reached over Sicily beyond recognition.

In the vicinity of the place of Platani, the Turvoli and Magazzolo spring.

The neighboring municipalities are Alessandria della Rocca, Bivona, Cammarata, Castel Termini, Castronovo di Sicilia and San Biagio Platani.

History

Already in Arabic, there have been settlements here. The present town was the beginning of the 14th century. The origin of the name Santo Stefano Quisquina can be explained from the Arabic koskin, in the darkness, and the adjoining monastery of Santo Stefano.

Attractions

The Prince's Palace dates from 1745 and is situated in Piazza Castello. On the square is a fountain from the 18th century. The Church of Purgatorio and Mary College are located on the Via Roma and both come also from the 18th century. The parish church of San Nicolo di Bari was built in the 16th century by Federico Chiaromontes. The apse shows frescoes from the 19th century. In addition to the parish church is the Holy Sacrament Church and the Francis de Sales Church. Both were built in the 18th century.

About five kilometers from the Monte Quisquina is the former monastery of Santo Stefano. In the rooms of the monastery now houses a museum about life in olden times the Fratres and the rural population. The monastery can be visited on request.

Next to it is the hermitage of Santa Rosalia, who is said to have lived here for several years before she went to Monte Pellegrino. In a cave, you can see a sculpture in honor of the saints, which is called by the locals also Santuzza.

Festivals

The Feast of Santa Rosalia is celebrated on the first Sunday of June, the St. Calogero organized an annual festival on the night of June 17 to June 18.

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