Vizzini

For the character in William Goldman's novel, see The Princess Bride. For use as a surname, see Vizzini (surname).
Vizzini
Comune
Comune di Vizzini

Panorama of Vizzini

Coat of arms
Vizzini

Location of Vizzini in Italy

Coordinates: 37°10′N 14°45′E / 37.167°N 14.750°E / 37.167; 14.750Coordinates: 37°10′N 14°45′E / 37.167°N 14.750°E / 37.167; 14.750
Country Italy
Region Sicily
Province Catania (CT)
Frazioni Camemi, Vizzini Scalo
Government
 • Mayor Vito Saverio Cortese (From:2002May 28)
Area
 • Total 125 km2 (48 sq mi)
Elevation 586 m (1,923 ft)
Population (2010)
 • Total 6,405
 • Density 51/km2 (130/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Vizzinesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 95049
Dialing code 0933
Patron saint St. Gregory
Saint day 12 March
Website Official website

Vizzini is a town and comune in the province of Catania, on the island of Sicily. It is located 60 kilometres (37 mi) from Catania in the Hyblaean Mountains, on the most northwesterly slopes of Monte Lauro.

The commune territory is bounded by the comuni of Buccheri, Francofonte, Giarratana, Licodia Eubea, Militello in Val di Catania, Mineo.

History

Bidis, a Roman city mentioned by Pliny and Cicero, stood here in a territory that has been inhabited since prehistoric times.[1]

The modern town developed in the Middle Ages around a now non-extant castle,[2] as a fief of various lords, including the Chiaromontes and the Schittinos, although for many years it was also part of the royal domain.

In 1358, Roland of Sicily reconquered the area from Vizzini to Avola.

Main sights

The Arab layout of the town can be clearly seen passing from Via Verga to Via San Gregorio Magno and proceeding as far as Largo della Matrice, a square with a statue of St. Gregory in the middle and the Chiesa Madre (S. Gregorio Magno) at one side.

The portal on the left face of the church, in splendid 15th-century Gothic-Catalan style, probably came from the old Town Hall, destroyed by the earthquake in 1693; in the interior there are late 18th century stuccos and a wooden ceiling by Natale Bonaiuto, as well as two paintings (The Martyrdom of St. Laurence and the Madonna delle Mercede) by Filippo Paladini (or Paladino), born in Florence about 1544. Another painting by Paladino, The Deposition (1607), is in the Chiesa del Convento dei Cappuccini.

Nearby is the Chiesa di Sant'Agata, rebuilt in the 18th century on the site of a previous 15th-century building and houses a pipe organ[3] created around 1770.

The church of San Giovanni Battista is from the 18th century. The stuccos decorating the interior are by Natale Bonaiuto (also mentioned with reference to the Chiesa Madre).

The front of Chiesa S. Teresa is said to be the setting for scenes from Cavalleria Rusticana, the libretto of which is based on the play of the same name by Giovanni Verga, who lived in Vizzini for a time.

Antonello Gagini is present in the Chiesa dei Minori Osservanti, with a fine statue of the Madonna and Child (1527).

View of Vizzini from the valley below

Religious buildings

Chiesa di Santa Maria di Gesù. The original 13th-century church was severely damaged in the 1693 earthquake and rebuilt in the Baroque style

Palaces and other buildings

Culture

The writer Giovanni Verga used Vizzini as the setting for his Cavalleria Rusticana and Mastro Don Gesualdo, describing places and scenes that are still recognizable (the prickly pears of Cunziria, and in a sloping alley the house of the Trao family).

Notable inhabitants

Economy

The economy of the commune is mainly agricultural (cereals, prickly pears, vegetables, sumac). Other activities include handmade shoes and carpentry.

Transportation

Buses travel to and near Vizzini regularly from surrounding cities Catania and Ragusa. Major operators include AST and ETNA.

The railway station Vizzini-Licodia is situated 6 km outside the city in the frazione of Vizzini Scalo.

Events

Demographic evolution

Gallery

  1. ^ SICILY ON LINE - Vizzini

See also

Twin towns

References

External links

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