Sciacca

Sciacca is a popular tourist destination. The tourism potentials are diverse. In the historic city center a large part of the 16th-century ramparts with three almost completely intact city gates still exist. You will find the largest concentration of historic buildings throughout the region. Rich religious traditions are still maintained, such as religious processions and the old carnival. Sciacca is a spa by the presence of thermal baths. Sciacca has a fishing port and a marina. On either side of the city are main beaches.

History

In the east of the city lies the Sican settlement, this settlement is called Figuli settlement. The Sciacca area has been settled very early. Even the Romans knew of the healing springs.
Under the rule of the Arabs and the Normans, the city grew. Among the Arabs the current structure of the old town was built. At that time, the city walls and the castle were built.
In 1330 the town walls and castle were restored under Frederick II of Aragon. In the 16th New century churches and monasteries were built. After this time, as a result of the feud (Caso di Sciacca) between the Perollo family and the Count of Luna, which lasted nearly 70 years, the city declined.
After the Second World War, today's thermal plants were built.

By plane

There is no international airport in the province. Sciacca is about 120 km away from two main airports:

• Palermo

  phone: +39 3244190827

• Trapani

  phone: +39 0923610111

By car

The city is easy to reach from all directions. From Palermo and Trapani by the A29 and SS115, from Agrigento by the SS115.

By bus

There are three bus companies in Sicily, Sais, Ast and Interbus, which connect the main cities.

By train

Sciacca has no railway station. The nearest station is about 35 km away in Castelvetrano, province Trapani.

By boat

Although Sciacca has a port, there are no ferry companies that service connections to other port cities.

You can easily go around by foot or taxi.

Quartiere di San Michele

You can find beautiful churches in the upper part of the town, reachable through the old city gate Porta San Calogero. One of the most important is Chiese di Santa Maria dell'Itria which was built in 1380. The church has a beautiful gate with carved floral decoration. The nave of the church is decorated with pure gold. In this area you will also find remains of the monumental castle Castello dei Luna. The castle was built at the end of the 14th century and renovated in the 16th century, but almost completely destroyed in the 19th century. Only the outer walls and an impressive tower survived the devastation. Quartiere di San Michele is an Arab Kasbah connected with stairs and alleys with the Old Town.

Monumental buildings

• Santa MargheritaThis church dates from the 13th century. The facade has a door in Gothic-Catalan style. Another beautiful door is located on the left and has a Gothic-Renaissance style. St. Margherita and the Dragon are shown in the tympanum. The church has a large organ from the 19th century.

• Chiesa del CarmineThe church has a beautiful framework from the 13th century and a special dome of the 19th century. The ship has two aisles decorated with frescoes and many works of art including paintings by Blasco from the 17th century and a beautiful wooden statue of St. Vito.

• San MicheleThis church is from 1370 and was restored in the 17th century. It has a sleek facade and a beautiful baroque door. Inside, the aisles of the nave are decorated with frescoes. There is a baptismal font from 1581 and a painting by Girolamo from the 15th century.

• DuomoThe cathedral of Sciacca is of Norman origin. Today, from the original building only the outer walls of the three apses can still be seen. The church was rebuilt in the 17th century. The nave is decorated with frescoes of the Apocalypse and events from the life of Mary Magdalene.

• San Nicolò LatinaThis Norman church was built between 1100 and 1136. The church was recently restored but retains its original features. The facade is simple with a nice port. The church consists of a single nave with a wooden ceiling. There are three niches with stone altars.

• Palazzo SteripintoThe Palazzo Steripinto is one of the most important buildings in Sciacca. It looks a bit like a fortress because of its square shape and tilt. The windows have small columns that adorn the facade and an engraved coat of arms of the family Noceto who was responsible for the construction of the palace in 1501. Later the palace was owned by the noble Lucchesis family whose coat of arms is engraved in the gateway.

• Palazzo TagliaviaThe Palazzo Tagliavia in the center of Sciacca was built in the 19th century in a neo-Gothic style. This palace has a façade with three doors and pointed arches. It has a remarkable gothic light window above the main entrance.

• Torre di PardoThis is a tower house of three storeys. On the wall hangs a beautifully decorated balcony

• Castello Incantato

  address: Via E. Ghezzi, Contrada Sovareto
  3000 heads of stone and wood of the artist Filippo Bentivegna (1888-1967)

• Casa Museo Francesco Scaglione

  phone: +39 092583089
  address: Piazza Don Minzoni, 4
  Archaeological exhibition, paintings and sculptures

• The Antiquarium of Monte Kronio

  phone: +39 092528989
  address: Monte Kronio (Krone)

• A city walk - At the tourist office (Ufficio Turistico, Corso Vittorio Emanuele 84) you can get a city map. There are also descriptions of these city walks and hiking trails in the surrounding area including the archaeological area of archeological park Selinunte.
• The Thermal baths - Sciacca has the oldest thermal baths of Sicily. Mt. Kronio is famous for the architecture complex of the Hypogeum with its thermal activities of circulating air and vapors. The temperature is approximately stable, at around 38°C, but at times it is as high that the complex is closed. There are five caves:Stufe di San Calogero, Grotta del Lebbroso, Grotta di Mastro, Grotta del Gallo, and Grotta di Cucchiara. The latter is a true labyrinth. If you like caving then this cave is worth a visit. Mt. Kronio (also known as Monte San Calogero) is located 7 km from Sciacca.

• Stufe di San Calogero

  address: Monte Kronio
  The thermal cave on Monte Kronio.

• Terme di Sciacca

  phone: +39 0925961111
  address: Via Agatocle, 2
  This complex was built in 1938 and overlooks the sea. A large number of therapeutic treatments are performed under auspices of the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale.

• Piscine Molinelli

  phone: +39 0925080462
  address: Via Marco Polo
  It is the largest thermal pool complex of Sicily with three swimming pools and a separate pool for children.

Stroll around the colorful fishing port.

Relax on one of the beaches.

Festa della Madonna del Soccorso

One of the main religious festivals of Sciacca is the feast of Madonna del Soccorso, the patroness of the country, which is celebrated on February 2 and August 15. The festival dates back to the seventeenth century as a result of the plague. According a legend, a statue of Mary that was found at sea is carried by fisherman in procession since that time.

Carnevale di Sciacca

The Carnival of Sciacca has an ancient history, which some claim originated in Roman times. More likely it comes from the 17th century when the first people went on street in disguise. Later decorated floats were driven through the narrow streets. Sciacca is a in competition with Acireale on the east coast that has a rich carnival history too. If you are not in a position to come to Sciacca during carnival please consolation to visit the carnival museum:

• Museo del Carnevale di Sciacca

  phone: +39 092522606
  address: Via Salvatore Allende Contrada Perriera
  The museum keeps the memory alive of more than 100 years of carnival celebrations in Sciacca. Thumbnails are displayed of floats that once participated in the parade. They are entirely made ​​of ceramic art and painted by local artists. Also on display are ancient costumes and disguises. Scale models of Sciacca monuments are recreated in papier-mâché.

Sciacca is known for its ceramics. Visit a ceramic shop:

• Gaspare Cascio

  phone: +39 092582829
  address: Corso Vittorio Emanuelle, 113-115a

As you would expect, Sciacca has some excellent seafood on offer.

• Al Faro

  phone: +39 092525349
  address: Via al Porto
  Good basic food, cheap.

• Il Grappolo

  phone: +39 092585294
  address: Via Conzo 9/A

• Pizzeria Snack House Di Puleo Francesco

  phone: +39 092524122
  address: Via Alcide De Gasperi, 73

• Amodeo Michele

  phone: +39 092584554
  address: Via Puglia, 45

• Bar Oscar S.A.S. Di Milici Leonardo E C.

  phone: +39 092522394
  address: Via Alcide De Gasperi, 45

In Sciacca and vicinity are many hotels, B&Bs and holiday homes.

• Casale Galati

  phone: +39 092523479, +39 3920773198
  address: Località Montagna 207
  Casale Galati is secluded and extremely quiet and peaceful with stunning views of rolling countryside. It is ideally situated for visiting the Greek temples of Agrigento, Selinunte and Segesta. The three independent apartments, Tramontana and Scirocco 80 m² each and Maestrale 45 m², are bright and airy with all modern amenities. Tramontana sleeps six. Scirocco sleeps four. Maestrale sleeps 2+2. Fresh bed linen and towels are supplied weekly.
• Paloma Bianca, Via Figuli 5, +39 0925 25130. Basic, but OK.

• Villa Casa Lucchese

  phone: +39 092581133
  Contrada Lucchese.

Campsite

• Macauda Beach Village

  phone: +39 0925997001
  address: c/da S.Giorgio ingresso
  The campsite is open all year. There are accommodations for 2 to 8 persons for rent. The campsite is at sea.

• Make the effort to visit Eraclea Minoa. The ruins aren't as good as others, but the pine forest-backed beach is beautiful.
• Caltabellotta, on a nearby hill is a short and delightful bus ride away.