Caltanissetta

OppidumNissenae

By bus

• Palermo circa 10 times per day, with a stop at Palermo's central railway station, in turn connected by train with the airport.
• Catania circa 15 times per day, including an intermediate stop at Catania's airport and a final stop at the central railway station.
• Agrigento circa 15 times per day. Due to the fact that the Catania-Caltanissetta line continues on to Agrigento, this route benefits from the same high frequency.
• Enna circa 6 times per day to "Enna bassa" (the modern part of the city) and circa 8 times per day to "Enna alta" (the ancient part).
• Gela circa 7 times per day.

• Intercity Bus Terminal

  phone: +39 0934 1905167
  address: Capolinea Autobus Via Rochester

By train

• Caltanissetta Central Station

  phone: +39 0934 22158
  address: Piazza Roma, 19

• Caltanissetta Xirbi Station

  address: S.S. 190 Contrada Xirbi

By bus

By taxi

• Taxi Driver Family

  phone: +39 388 4826279
  address: Capolinea Autobus Via Rochester

Religious architecture

Davide Mauro

Ian caffrey

Insider93

• Cathedral of Santa Maria la Nova

  phone: +39 0934 21642
  address: Piazza Garibaldi, 3
  See of the bishopry of Caltanissetta, is in the central square Piazza Garibaldi. It was built from 1560 to 1622 and features frescoes by the Flemish painter Guglielmo Borremans and a wooden statue of Saint Michael by Stefano Li Volsi. The interior, in Baroque style, is impressive and its blue dome is easily spotted from many parts of the city, providing an easy to follow landmark.

• Saint Sebastian church

  phone: +39 0934 581698
  address: Piazza Garibaldi, 13
  Just in front of the Cathedral, with its characteristic red-and-blue facade in an eclectic style.

• Church of Saint Agata

  phone: +39 0934 21949
  address: C.so Umberto I
  At a short walk from the Cathedral, it is possibly the most impressive Baroque church in the city. Its interior is rich in marble and golden stuccoes. Attached to the church is the ancient

  Jesuit college

  It is nowadays used by the municipal library (biblioteca Scarabelli) and the conservatory.

• Abbey of the Holy Ghost

  phone: +39 0934 566596
  address: Via di Santo Spirito, 57
  It is a Norman church built on a pre-existing Arabic farmstead in the outskirts of the city.

• Santa Maria degli Angeli

  address: Via Angeli, 158
  A church deconsacrated since the late 19th century and renovated during the 2010s.

• Church of Saint John

  address: Via S. Giovanni Bosco

• Church of Saint Dominic

  address: P.za San Domenico
  A baroque church with a crypt.

• Monumental cemetery

  address: Via Angeli, 23
  It serves as the city's cemetery. It is adjacent to the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli and conserves the remains of many illustrious citizens. Some of the tombs and chapels are richly decorated, including with statues of Francesco Biangardi and Michele Tripisciano.

Palaces

Alessandro Miccichè

Insider93

• Palazzo del Carmine

  phone: +39 0934 21900
  address: C.so Umberto I, 134
  The current city hall.

• Palazzo Moncada

  phone: +39 0934 585890
  address: Largo Paolo Barile
  An incomplete palace, whose construction was interrupted because its owner Guillermo de Moncada was named Viceroy of Valencia and moved back to the Iberian Peninsula. Nowadays it hosts a movie theatre and the municipal art gallery.

• Ospedale Vittorio Emanuele

  address: V.le Regina Margherita, 36
  The former city hospital.

Other

Alessandro Miccichè

• Castle of Pietrarossa

  address: Via Castello di Pietrarossa
  Probably built already during the 10th century, it was largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1567. Its two remaining towers can be seen just behind the monumental cemetery.

• Monument to Christ the Redeemer

  address: Via S. Giuliano
  It was built during the 1900 jubilee, on top of San Giuliano mountain. It is a popular evening destination, especially during the hot summer months, due to the temperature usually being around 5 degrees lower than in the rest of the city.

• Triton fountain

  address: Piazza Garibaldi
  Located in the central Piazza Garibaldi, it is probably the most iconic monument of the city and is often used as its informal symbol. It was recently renovated and a new lighting system creates suggestive effects during the evenings.

• The radio transmitter

  address: Via Antenna
  Surprisingly, one of the most known features of the city is its radio transmitter, due to it being the tallest structure in Italy.
• The most interesting public parks are located in the city centre and are the elegant Villa Amedeo and Villa Cordova.

• Villa Amedeo

  address: V.le Regina Margherita, 32

• Villa Cordova

  address: V.le Conte Testasecca, 11

Museums

MOM003.F.SARDO

• Archaeological museum

  phone: +39 0934 567062
  address: Via di Santo Spirito
  Opened in 2006, is in the outskirts of the city, just behind the Abbey of the Holy Ghost. It features numerous artefacts from prehistoric and historic times, from all-over the province. The museum host some copies of the artefacts exposed, which are free for the public to touch, so that blind or sight-impaired people can experience them.

• Mineralogic, paleontologic, and sulphur mines Museum

  phone: +39 0934 591280
  address: V.le della Regione, 71
  It contains a rich collection of fossils and more than 5000 minerals. Opened in 2012, it hosts a permanent exhibition on the technological, scientific and social aspects of the sulphur mines of central Sicily.

• Municipal Art Gallery and Tripisciano Museum

  phone: +39 0934 21900
  address: C.so Umberto I, 134
  Contains works from local artists, including the famed sculptor Michele Tripisciano, and temporary exhibitions with loans from all-over the world.

• Contemporary Art Museum

  address: Via Giacomo Matteotti, 2
  Hosted in an old underground anti-aerial bunker in the very centre of the city, it was opened in 2017. It doesn't have a permanent collection, but it hosts temporary exhibition of contemporary national and international artists.

• Diocesan Museum

  phone: +39 0934 21165
  address: V.le Regina Margherita, 29
  Its permanent exhibition of sacred art and miniated books testifies to the artistic ferment characterising the city during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Easter week

Salvatore Iacona

Easter week

Theatre and cinema

• Regina Margherita Theatre

  phone: +39 0934 547034
  address: C.so Vittorio Emanuele II, 1
  Built in 1873, during the second half of the 20th century the theatre was closed for a long time. It was renovated and finally reopened in 1997 and it has since been the main theatre of the city. Tickets can be purchased via LiveTicket.

• Rosso di San Secondo Theatre

  address: Via Matteotti, 10

• Supercinema (movie theatre)

  phone: +39 0934 26055
  address: Via Dante Alighieri, 10

• Moncada Palace Multiplex (movie theatre)

  address: Via Matteotti, 10

Visits to archaeological sites

Clemensfranz

Emanuelesava

• Sabucina Excavations

  phone: +39 0934 554968
  address: C.da Sabucina
  An archeological park with excavations, roughly 8 km east of the city. The excavations unearthed remains from the bronze age, the greek period, and the roman one. Of particular value is its necropolis.

• Gibil Gabib archaeological site

  phone: +39 0934 554968
  address: C.da Gibil Gabib
  The site is marked by the passage of different civilizations: the Castelluccio culture, the Siceliotes during the bronze age, and the the Greeks.

• Vassallaggi archaeological site

  address: C.da Roccella
  Originally a bronze age village, it flourished during the 7th century BC as a fortress. Presumably built by the Sican culture, it was then inhabited by the Sicels, the Greeks and the Romans. The presence of early Christian tombs testifies its importance at least up to the 1st century AD.

Industrial archaeology and visits to inactive sulphur mines

• Gessolungo Mine

  One of the oldest, deepest, and most profitable mines. Mining activity in the area was recorded already at the beginning of the 18th century. It was the theatre of many accidents in which hundreds of miners lost their lives. The most notable is probably the 1881 accident in which 65 miners died, including 19 children. Because of their agility and small size, children (known in Sicilian as Carusi) were used extensively in the mines. Those who died at work were buried in a nearby cemetery, the Cimitero dei Carusi, which is nowadays open for visits.

• Trabonella Mine

  It is one of the earliest mines to open and, again, one of the deadliest ones. It is particularly famous for the many strikes organised during the 20th century by the local Miner's League and the Caltanissetta section of the Communist and Socialist party, to claim humane working conditions for the miners and the suppression of minor labour.

• Gabbara Mine

• Apaforte Stincone Mine

Natural and geological parks

Marpolia

• Natural Reserve Monte Capodarso e Valle dell'Imera Meridionale

  phone: +39 0934 541722
  A natural reserve managed by the association Italia Nostra. It is a birdwatcher's paradise, with more than 150 species passing through the reserve during the year, 60 of which nest there. In the reserve it is possible to spot birds of prey (kestrels, kites, Bonelli’s eagles) and birds that rest there during their long migrations (herons, cranes, marsh harriers). Guided tours are free of charge, but must be reserved in advance via email or phone call.

• Maccalube di Terrapelata

  address: Via dei Vulcanelli, Villaggio Santa Barbara
  These mud volcanoes are located in the outskirts of the city and offer the view of a landscape almost from another planet. They are still active and are often off-limits to the general public, due to safety concerns. Their last large eruption in 2008 damaged various buildings in the nearby Santa Barbara village.

• Natural Reserve Lago Sfondato

  phone: +39 0934 564038
  A natural reserve managed by the association Legambiente. It is noteworthy for its geological formations, its flora, its typically Mediterranean fauna, the prehistoric necropolis, and the picturesque landscapes. Visits can be reserved via email or phone.

Sport events

Unknown photographer

• Coppa Nissena

  It is a racing hillclimbing competition, whose first edition took place in 1922. Because it is part of several national championships towards which it accrues points, it sees a massive participation of drivers from all over the country.

• Rally Città di Caltanissetta

  This rally, which starts in Caltanissetta and goes through San Cataldo, Marianopoli, Villalba and Serradifalco, is part of the national championship Coppa Italia Rally and of the regional one.

• Torneo Città di Caltanissetta

  address: V.le Amedeo
  A tennis tournament, part of the ATP Challenger Tour international competition, played on outdoor red clay courts.

Festivals and exhibitions

AlessandroAM

• Musicalmuseo

  A yearly musical competition and series of concerts for students of the secondary education cycle, coming from allover Italy and from some European countries. The event usually takes place in May and the students perform in various museums and landmarks of the city, while the final gala evening is held in the Regina Margherita theatre. Due to the high number of participants (they were 2500 in the 2017 edition) it might be very hard to find accommodation in the city and in nearby towns during the event dates.

• Festival Città di Caltanissetta

  The main event for contemporary pop music in the city, the competition started in 1989 and has been held yearly ever since. It usually takes place in the early summer and, since 2019, the final evening takes place in the Rosso di San Secondo theatre.

• Kalat Nissa Film Festival

  An international short film festival. The movies are presented in locations throughout the city, but the final gala event is held in the Regina Margherita theatre.

• Sicily Mineral Show

  The only exchange of minerals organised in Italy south of Rome, it was started in 1978.

OppidumNissenae

• Strata 'a Foglia street market

  address: Via Consultore Benintendi
  A typical street market with many shops selling fruit, vegetable, and other food products. Its name means "Leaf Street", as the market started in the 1500s with poorer peasants selling wild herbs they collected in the surrounding lands. During the nights it transforms into a food district, with many restaurants, pubs, and street food stands.

• Torronificio Geraci

  phone: +39 0934 581570
  address: Via Canonico Pulci, 10
  Historical nougat artisan laboratory and shop founded in 1870.

• Lupica Wine Shop

  phone: +39 0934 575873
  address: Via Napoleone Colajanni, 58
  Wine shop with a wide selection of local wines and liquors. It also sells beers from local micro-breweries.

• Vancheri Roastery

  phone: +39 0934 581098
  address: Via Libertà, 148
  The main roastery of the city, selling speciality coffees roasted locally.

Pastry shops

• Delizie d'autore

  phone: +39 0934 552014
  address: V.le Trieste, 242
  When the historical Caffè Romano in the city centre closed down in 2014 after 91 years of activity, the former employees decided to start a new enterprise with shared ownership. The result is this pastry shop, which ideally continues in the tradition of the Caffé.

Street food

• Forno Garzia

  phone: +39 0934 591979
  address: V.le della Regione, 8
  A bakery selling bread, Sicilian style pizza, arancine, calzoni, and different other types of street food.

• Frittoria

  address: V.le Regina Margherita, 11
  A place for everything fried. The specialities are panini stuffed with panelle, fried aubergines, or crocché.

• Strata 'a Foglia

  address: Via Consultore Benintendi
  Part of the historical street market underwent a radical transformation during summer 2018 and now hosts many small street food shops, ranging from panini to arancine, panelle, polpette (meat balls), etc.

Restaurants

• Lumie di Sicilia

  phone: +39 389 9365841
  address: Via Lazio, 3
  Gourmet food from the local tradition for a reasonable price.

• Novecento

  phone: +39 0934 22734
  address: Via Medaglie d'Oro, 1
  Fresh raw materials from the market and speciality products from the Caltanissetta province prepared following the tradition.

• La luna nel pozzo

  phone: +39 0934 565710
  address: Via Monte S. Giuliano
  Peculiar oval pizzas in a rustic environment on top of a hill overlooking the city.

• Il covo del Pirata

  phone: +39 0934 1993338
  address: V.le Sicilia, 55
  Pub with a good selection of drinks and draughts, and simple food. From time to time there is live music.

• All Grain Taproom

  phone: +39 371 1550066
  address: Via Terranova, 11
  Taproom with a selection of bottled and draught beer, including many Sicilian ones. They also have speciality soft drinks from the region.

www.gironavigando.it

Hotels

• Hotel San Michele

  phone: +39 0934 553750
  address: Via Fasci Siciliani, 6
  The only 4-star hotel in the city. It features a restaurant and a swimming pool. It is a 20-minute walk from the city centre.

• Hotel Ventura

  phone: +39 0934 553780
  address: S.S. 640
  A 3-star hotel just outside the city, along a national road. A private car is necessary to reach the city from the hotel. It also has a small restaurant.

• Hotel Plaza

  phone: +39 0934 583877
  address: Via Berengario Gaetani, 5
  A 2-star hotel 2 minutes from the main square.

Bed & Breakfast

• B&B Piazza Garibaldi

  phone: +39 0934 680510
  address: P.za Garibaldi, 11
  A characteristic bed & breakfast with painted walls and a cozy feeling. Some of the rooms have a terrace overlooking the main square and the cathedral.

• Qalat Apart

  phone: +39 328 6590308
  address: Via J. F. Kennedy, 16
  A modernly furnished apartment 5 minutes walking from the main square.

• Antichi Ricordi

  phone: +39 0934 541197
  address: Via Villaglori, 45
  An elegant bed and breakfast renting rooms and small apartments for short- and medium-term stays. It has an in-house spa.

Agritourism and farmstays

• Agriturismo Gabilia

  phone: +39 348 0320556
  address: C.da Gabilia
  A rural farmhouse with a swimming pool. The hosts organise horse rides, lake fishing trips, sport events, and food & wine tastings. They also produce their own extra-virgin olive oil.

• Feudo Musta Testasecca

  phone: + 39 320 1877082
  address: C.da Musta
  An elegant farmstay with a restaurant and a horseback riding centre.

Unknown

• Agrigento and its

  Temples Valley

  They are a 40-minute car drive from the city. The Greek temples are a Unesco World Heritage Site.
• Another Unesco World Heritage Site is the

  Villa del Casale

  It is a mosaic-laden Roman villa in Piazza Armerina. It takes roughly 50 minutes to drive to the villa.
• Palermo is just a hour drive and is well connected to Caltanissetta via both trains and buses.
• Catania is also a hour's drive and the connections via train and bus are equally frequent.
• Just one hour driving from Caltanissetta is the town of Caltagirone, famous worldwide for the quality of its ceramics and for the Infiorata event, during which many of its long steps are covered with flowers. Together with other late-baroque cities in the Noto Valley, Caltagirone is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

• Mussomeli and its well-preserved

  Manfredonic castle

• The city of Gela, despite having undergone a chaotic and rapid demographic expansion starting from the 1960s and due to the discovery of massive oil fields in its sea, used to be one of the main excavation sites in the island, revealing Phoenician and Greek settlements. It is still possible to visit its archaeological park and the archaeological museum.
• A few km from Gela is the small medieval town of Butera. On its territory is located the Falconara castle, an impressive structure a few metres from the sea.