Castellammare del Golfo
| Castellammare del Golfo | ||
|---|---|---|
| Comune | ||
| Comune di Castellammare del Golfo | ||
 | ||
| ||
  Castellammare del Golfo Location of Castellammare del Golfo in Italy | ||
| Coordinates: 38°2′N 12°53′E / 38.033°N 12.883°E | ||
| Country | Italy | |
| Region | Sicily | |
| Province | Trapani (TP) | |
| Frazioni | Balata di Baida, Scopello, Guidaloca, Fraginesi, Lu Baruni | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Nicolò Coppola | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 127 km2 (49 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 26 m (85 ft) | |
| Population (2007) | ||
| • Total | 14,908 | |
| • Density | 120/km2 (300/sq mi) | |
| Demonym(s) | Castellammaresi | |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
| Postal code |
91014 Balata di Baida: 91010 | |
| Dialing code | 0924 | |
| Patron saint | Maria SS. del Soccorso | |
| Saint day | August 21 | |
| Website | Official website | |
Castellammare del Golfo (Sicilian: Casteddammari; Latin: Emporium Segestanorum / Emporium Aegestensium) is a town and comune in the Trapani Province of Sicily. The name can be translated as "Sea Fortress on the Gulf", stemming from the medieval fortress in the harbor. The nearby body of water conversely takes its name from the town, and is known as Gulf of Castellammare.
Coming from its marina called "Cala Marina", with many restaurants and bars, the urban plan is made of steps and winding streets that lead to Piazza Petrolo or towards the main central gardens, where the town center lies with many shops, cafes and restaurants.
History
The town itself was founded by the Arabs and its original name was al-Madarig (allegely referring to steps).
Fishing has been important in Castellammare del Golfo dating back to ancient times. Today the town's economy continues to be based on fishing with the addition of tourism.
The small town is also noted for having been the birthplace of many American Mafia figures, including Salvatore Maranzano, Stefano Magaddino, Vito Bonventre, John Tartamella, and Joseph Bonanno. This is the origin of the Castellamarese war, fought by the Masseria clan against the clan for the control of the Italian Mafia in New York City.
In the past twenty years Castellammare del Golfo has become an important tourist location as it is conveniently situated between Palermo and Trapani.
Nearby places
Nearby places include Segesta, with its Doric temple and an amphitheater where performances are still held.
- Trapani about 35 km to the west;
- Palermo about 30 km to the east;
- Scopello with its tonnara (traditional tuna fishing ground) to the west;
- San Vito Lo Capo to the west;
- Riserva naturale dello Zingaro also to the west, with its bay beaches only accessible on foot or boat;
- Erice, a historic village, located 750 metres (2,460 ft) above sea level.
From Castellammare del Golfo you can take a boat trip departing from Cala Marina to the Egadi Islands situated in front of Trapani.
To the east, the gulf of Castellammare has a stretch of 30 kilometres (19 mi) of white sandy beaches.
Films
Castellammare del Golfo has also been a location for various films, the following are the names of a few of them:
- For the Love of Mariastella (1946)
- Ocean's Twelve
- Avenging Angelo
- My name is Tanino
- Cefalonia (TV series)
- Inspector Montalbano, episode "The Sense of Touch"
- Largo Winch
- Leaves of the tree
References
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Castellammare del Golfo. |
-
Castellammare del Golfo travel guide from Wikivoyage - Castellammare's Official Website