WHAT TO SEE IN CALTANISSETTA?

Itineraries in Caltanissetta

1) The Old Town and the Cathedral

Caltanissetta is a city that rises among three hills that, arranged in an arc, form a basin within which much of the historic center is developed. Beginning in the 19th century it experienced considerable industrial development due to the presence of vast sulfur deposits, which made it an important mining center; its importance in the sulfur industry earned it the nickname "sulfur capital of the world," and in 1862 the first mining institute in Italy was opened there. The Cathedral of Santa Maria la Nova is the cathedral of Caltanissetta; the interior has three naves; the central one features a series of frescoes by Flemish painter Guglielmo Borremans. To the right of the high altar is a wooden statue of St. Michael, patron saint of the city.

2) A Strata Foglia

The Strata 'a Foglia market in Caltanissetta is a historic fruit and vegetable market that dates back to the 1500s. The name comes from the word Fogghia, or a tax levied by the so-called fogliamari for the sale of vegetables from the fields. In fact, the market was initially intended to bring together gatherers of bitter wild herbs, historically present in the territory of the municipality of Caltanissetta. Later it became a market for the sale of fish, fruits and vegetables. Moving within the dense web of alleys of the Strata a' foglia market one can find all the ingredients of Sicilian cuisine. In the evenings, especially during the summer, the market becomes populated with young people; in fact, you can find many nightclubs where street food is also sold. During the day, the market thrives thanks to the fruit, vegetable, and food stores.

3) Pietrarossa Castle

The castle of Pietrarossa is a fortress probably from medieval times located in Caltanissetta. It stands close to the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the monumental cemetery, near the old Arab quarter of the city, and dominates, from the top of the ravine on which it stands, the whole valley up to the Salso River. During the Middle Ages it was a strategic center, and around the end of the 11th century the tomb of Queen Adelasia was placed there.

4) Museo Mineralogico

The Sebastiano Mottura Mineralogical, Paleontological, and Sulphur Mining Museum, also known as the Mineralogical Museum of Caltanissetta, houses a rich collection of minerals and fossils, as well as a permanent exhibition dedicated to the sulphur mining technology of Sicily. The collection of minerals and fossils present has 2,500 minerals and 1,500 fossil specimens from various geological eras, including a collection of macrofossils, cataloged in stratigraphic order, from the Silurian period to the Quaternary. Unique in its kind is the space devoted to some of the period tools used in mining, such as mining castles, wagons used to transport ore, and Gill furnaces. Several wall panels with graphs and diagrams testify to the history and economic cycle of sulfur, as well as a rich collection of period photos. The museum, through the display of minerals, in particular sulfur samples, rocks, fossils and specific equipment, gives evidence of the activity carried out in the past of exploitation of the various sulfur mines in the territory of the province of Nissen. It houses collections of minerals and fossils, as well as pieces of particular mineralogical value.

5) Regional Archaeological Museum

The Interdisciplinary Regional Museum of Caltanissetta, known simply as the Archaeological Museum of Caltanissetta, is a museum that collects most of the archaeological finds from sites in the Caltanissetta and Enna area, such as Vassallaggi, Capodarso, and Sabucina. The collections, among the most important in Sicily, include grave goods, Attic vases decorated with red figures, tools, and bronze and ceramic artifacts. Inside is housed the famous sacellum of Sabucina.

6) Mount Capodarso and Imera Valley Reserve

The Monte Capodarso and Valle dell'Imera Meridionale Oriented Nature Reserve is a protected natural area located in the municipalities of Caltanissetta, Enna and Pietraperzia. Among the largest nature reserves on the island, it includes, in a river environment, the Capodarso gorges, the Cave of Wonders with unexplored cavities, the remains of an indigenous Hellenized center, with an ancient staircase carved into the rock. In the immediate vicinity of the reserve, in Terrapelata condrata, are the Caltanissetta maccalubes, an area affected by sedimentary-type volcanism phenomena.

7) Mussomeli

Mussomeli rises in an inland hilly area east of the Platani River in central Sicily. Numerous churches have been built over the centuries including the mother church of San Ludovico and the shrine dedicated to Maria SS. dei Miracoli. Included in the territory of the municipality of Mussomeli is the archaeological site of Polizzello. A few kilometers from the center is the so-called Manfredonico Castle.

8) Abbey of Santo Spirito

The Abbey of Santo Spirito is one of the oldest and most evocative monuments in Caltanissetta, linked to the Norman origins of the city. It stands in an area which, according to scholars, was already a place of worship in Byzantine times, as suggested by its dedication to the Holy Spirit, typical of churches of that period. It is no coincidence that parts of the structure seem to incorporate an ancient Arab farmhouse, a sign of the cultural stratification that characterizes the whole of Sicily. Commissioned by Count Ruggero and his wife Adelasia, the church was consecrated in 1153 and entrusted a few decades later to the Augustinian Canons Regular. Over time, it has undergone several restorations, from the 16th century to the most recent ones, but it has always maintained its sober and solemn appearance. Consisting of a single nave with three apses, its architecture recalls Norman models, with portals and pilasters reminiscent of Norman buildings. The layout itself has a strong symbolic value: the three small apse windows, oriented towards a single central point, evoke the mystery of the Trinity, while the sunlight filtering through the openings of the presbytery amplifies its spiritual significance. Inside, the abbey houses works of great historical and artistic value. Among these are the Norman baptismal font, the 19th-century choir loft, decorated with the coats of arms of Bishop Guttadauro, and a series of 15th-century frescoes, including fragments of a Saint Augustine, a Mass of Saint Gregory, and a blessing Christ. Particularly precious is the Crucifix of Staglio, painted in oil tempera on wood, considered the church's most important treasure. Not to be forgotten is the polychrome terracotta statue of the Madonna delle Grazie, the oldest Marian representation in the city, dating back to the 16th century, and a 1st-century Roman cinerary urn, evidence of the site's distant past. Even today, the abbey is not only a place of worship but also a cultural and identity reference point for Caltanissetta, guardian of a memory that spans centuries of history, faith, art, and tradition.

9) Mazzarino Castle

In Mazzarino, the old castle, Castelvecchio, is known to everyone as “U Cannuni”—a nickname that perhaps comes from its cylindrical tower, reminiscent of a cannon. According to another tradition, however, the name may derive from an actual cannon once owned by the Branciforti, lords of the fortress, which was used to defend against attacks by the neighboring feudal lord of Grassuliato during territorial disputes. Originally, the fortress had a quadrangular plan, with four cylindrical corner towers and walls enclosing large underground reservoirs used as granaries. The main entrance stood between the two western towers, while the massive perimeter wall stretched for as much as 186 meters. The Branciforti became lords of the castle in the 13th century and remained so until 1812. They lived there permanently until the 16th century, when—having obtained the title of counts—they chose to move to the palace they built in the town center, leaving “U Cannuni” to the slow passage of time.

10) Gibil Gabib 

The archaeological site of Gibil Gabib, also known as Gibil-Gàbel, is located a few kilometres south of Caltanissetta, on a 615-metre hill overlooking the Salso river valley. Its name derives from the Arabic ǧabal Ḥabīb, “mountain of Habib”, and embodies the echoes of the different cultures that have inhabited these places. Its origins date back to the 7th century BC, when an indigenous settlement was established there. Within a short time, it came into contact with the Greeks of Akragas and underwent their influence until, in the 6th century BC, it was transformed into a phrourion, i.e. a fortified military outpost. The history of the excavations is long and complex: it began in the mid-19th century with Landolina di Rigilifi, continued with Antonino Salinas and F. Cavallaro in the following years, and culminated in the systematic investigations of the 20th century conducted by Dinu Adameșteanu and, later, the excavations of the 1980s. It was during this period that an imposing defensive tower dating back to the 6th century BC was unearthed, a fundamental discovery that clarified the function of the ancient walls that had been identified decades earlier. The excavations have yielded finds of extraordinary interest: remains of dwellings, vases and everyday utensils, plates and oil lamps that tell the story of an active and organised community. There is also evidence of sacred activities, such as a terracotta statue depicting a female deity and a small head of an offering, indicating the presence of spaces dedicated to worship within the settlement. At the foot of the hill there were also two necropolises, from which rich grave goods have been found, including splendid red-figure pottery in the Sicilian tradition. Today, the finds from Gibil Gabib are kept at the Archaeological Museum of Caltanissetta, where they continue to tell the story of this site which, nestled between myth and history, represents a precious testimony to the most ancient roots of inland Sicily.

11) Soprano Lake 

The Lago Soprano Nature Reserve, also known as Cuba, is located in the territory of Serradifalco, in the province of Caltanissetta, and was established in 2000 to protect an environment of great naturalistic value. The lake lies in an oval basin about 460 metres above sea level, on the edge of the town, and offers a picturesque landscape that combines charm and tranquillity. The lake, which covers about fifteen hectares, has no tributaries or outlets: it is fed by underground springs, a surface spring and rainwater. For this reason, the water level varies greatly depending on the season. Its origins are linked to an ancient phenomenon of land subsidence, which gave rise to this basin nestled among limestone and chalk rocks. The lake and the surrounding area are home to an extraordinary wealth of biodiversity. Carp and perch swim in the shallow waters, along with a dense population of plankton and tiny daphnia. Many species of birds find refuge and nesting sites in the surrounding reeds: the river nightingale, the little bittern, the reed warbler and the pochard, but also the coot, the little grebe, the grey heron and the kingfisher. There are also rarer sightings, such as the ferruginous duck, an internationally endangered species. Small mammals such as hares, wild rabbits, weasels and foxes roam the banks and nearby fields, while the grass snake, a harmless snake that feeds mainly on green frogs, roams the waters. The Sicilian pond turtle (Emys trinacris) is also present, a reptile endemic to the island and considered a true natural treasure. The vegetation is dominated by reeds and marsh grass, which form a green frame around the lake, providing shelter for many species. On the surface of the lake, duckweed dots the landscape with its dense floating web. From the Belvedere panoramic terrace, located just above the reserve, the view encompasses the entire basin, set in a context of great natural charm. Today, Lake Soprano is not only an important treasure trove of biodiversity, but also an ideal place for those who love to discover the lesser-known Sicily, made up of silence, nature and timeless atmospheres.

12) Marianopoli Archaeological Museum 

The Archaeological Museum of Marianopoli recounts the oldest history of the area, tracing the life and transformations of the communities that inhabited it from prehistory to the Hellenistic age. Its collections are closely linked to the two main archaeological sites in the area: Monte Castellazzo and Balate-Valle Oscura. The first traces of human presence on Monte Castellazzo date back to the Neolithic period, around the 5th millennium BC, and the site continued to be inhabited in subsequent eras, from the Copper Age to the Iron Age. In the 6th century BC, the mountain became the site of an important indigenous settlement which, over time, came under the influence of Greek culture and was identified with ancient Mytistraton. The mountain of Balate also played a central role: from the 6th century BC, it was home to a settlement fortified by walls, with an acropolis where a sacred area dedicated to worship has been unearthed. In the nearby Valle Oscura, on the other hand, lay the necropolis of the ancient centre, which housed the burials and grave goods of the community. The artefacts on display in the museum come from excavations carried out between 1977 and 1984. Among them are fragments of prehistoric pottery, from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age, but above all indigenous pottery from the Archaic period, which reinterprets Greek forms – such as oinochoai and small craters – enriching them with geometric decorations and brightly coloured naturalistic motifs. The museum thus offers a fascinating journey through time, through objects that recount the daily life, rituals and cultural contacts of a territory that, while remaining deeply attached to its roots, was able to open up to the influences of Greek civilisation.

13) Medieval Village of Sutera

Sutera is a village that combines beauty, art and timeless legends. The first encounter with the village is the panoramic viewpoint of Piazza Sant'Agata, from which the view opens up onto the surrounding hills. Here stands the church of the same name, next to the ruins of the 15th-century Palazzo Salamone and the church of Maria SS. del Carmelo, which preserve precious fragments of its history. One of the most fascinating corners is the Rabato, an ancient neighbourhood founded by the Arabs around 860 AD. With its narrow alleys, plaster houses and hidden terraces, the Rabato retained the typical characteristics of Islamic villages. Today, many of these traces have been covered by the building transformations of subsequent centuries, but just looking at the neighbourhood from the top of the mountain is enough to rediscover the charm of that distant time. Don't miss a visit to the evocative “rocca spaccata” (split fortress), also known as “jacca” in the local dialect: a stone hill that appears to be divided in two by a natural fissure. According to popular tradition, the crack opened at the moment Jesus died on the cross, making this place not only fascinating from a landscape point of view, but also full of spiritual and legendary significance.

14) San Paolino Sanctuary

The Diocesan Sanctuary of San Paolino, known as the ‘balcony of Sicily’, stands at 823 metres above sea level on Mount San Paolino, offering views of twenty-two municipalities, the Madonie mountains and even Mount Etna. It is accessed via a path carved into the rock, dotted with stations of the Cross, a bell that pilgrims still ring today as a sign of devotion, and the place where, according to tradition, a cross was erected in 57 AD to celebrate the conversion of the Suteresi to Christianity. The church, built around 1370 by Baron Giovanni III Chiaramonte, is a simple three-nave building, flanked by the convent once inhabited by the Filippini Fathers and now transformed into a hermitage. The interior houses ancient tombs and precious treasures of sacred art, including two magnificent reliquary urns of St. Paolino and St. Onofrio, masterpieces of Sicilian goldsmithing, decorated with figures of saints, angels and religious symbols. Every year, on the Tuesday after Easter, the urns are carried in procession from the top of the mountain to the church of Sant'Agata, in a ritual that involves the entire community. The sanctuary also houses valuable paintings, such as Filippo Tancredi's depiction of the holy doctors Cosmas and Damian, and wooden statues of Saint Paolino and Saint Onofrio, as well as a papier-mâché crucifix from 1923. Today, thanks to the restoration work that has given new life to the building, the sanctuary is not only a place of worship but also a symbol of Sutera's identity, linked to faith, art and popular tradition.

15) Villalba

Villalba is a small town in the heart of Sicily, in the province of Caltanissetta, nestled on a hill overlooking the Madonie mountains and protected behind by the Serre mountains, which reach heights of up to 900 metres. The town obtained its municipal coat of arms in 1899: against a blue background stand a palm tree, a lion and a figure of Ceres with the horn of Amalthea, a clear reference to the Palmieri family who founded the town with the intention of populating it. In the upper part of the village is the Robba, the ancient farmhouse of the Palmieri family. Covering 10,000 square metres, the large baglio (farmhouse) housed a bakery, warehouses, stables and dwellings: an agricultural and management centre where crops, especially wheat, were stored and livestock was kept. Behind Villalba rise the Serre, rocky hills that offer spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and neighbouring villages. In spring, the fields of golden wheat give way to purple expanses of wildflowers, offering ever-changing scenery. The heart of the village is Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, the chiazza granni, a meeting place for citizens and the site of the “struscio”, the traditional evening stroll. It is dominated by the Mother Church of San Giuseppe, built in 1828 and flanked by a bell tower, which houses an 18th-century statue of the patron saint by the sculptor Filippo Quattrocchi. There are other churches of interest in Villalba: the Church of the Conception, also known as the “Chiesa nica”, built in 1795 and dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, and the evocative Calvario, located on a hill reminiscent of Golgotha, the scene of solemn Easter celebrations. There are also numerous votive chapels scattered along the streets and in the neighbourhoods, destinations for processions and places of popular devotion, with statues and works by the sculptor Michele Valenza. Among the most characteristic elements is an ancient 19th-century stone drinking trough, restored and decorated with three lion heads from which water fountains flow. Finally, there is the curious prison, built in the 1980s and only in use for a few years: today, the structure, which has never been reused, remains a silent testimony to an unfinished project. Villalba is therefore a village that combines evocative landscapes, fine architecture and popular traditions, offering visitors an authentic portrait of inland Sicily.

16) The Castle of Resuttano

The ruins of Resuttano Castle stand on the plain crossed by the Imera River, shortly after it descends from the Madonie hills, about four kilometers from the town. Most of what remains of the ancient complex is the central tower, around which are arranged smaller buildings, some of more recent origin. Its origins are shrouded in history and legend. The name, which derives from the Arabic Rahal-Suptanum (“fortified farm”), refers to the Islamic period, when the Arabs built a structure here that was both rural and military, with the strategic function of controlling the river route to the Madonie centers. According to scholars, the original nucleus dates back to the mid-10th century. In the Norman era, the castle, although not large, had an essentially military function: it served as a safe haven for a garrison and as a transit station. In the 15th century, it passed to the powerful Ventimiglia family of Geraci, then, in the following century, it became part of the Romano family's possessions and finally, in 1625, it passed to the Di Napoli family, who obtained the title of princes of Resuttano. From that moment on, the fortress gradually lost its defensive function and became primarily an agricultural farm. The property remained in the hands of the Di Napoli family until 1919, when it was purchased by notary Antonino Manasia on behalf of the Società Operaia Garibaldi, which intended to subdivide the land. Much of the estate, including the castle, ended up in the hands of Manasia himself. In 1997, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage oversaw its expropriation and began consolidation and cleaning work. Even today, when visiting the castle, you can admire details that tell its long history: elegant Romanesque and Renaissance-style windows, a stone spiral staircase leading to the upper floors, a vaulted hall, a small internal courtyard, and the noble coat of arms engraved on the wall, recalling the splendor of the ancient families who lived there.

17) Vallelunga Pratameno

Vallelunga Pratameno, the northernmost municipality in the province of Caltanissetta, lies in a flat valley bordered by the Platani River. Its location makes it a natural crossroads between several Sicilian provinces: from here, Caltanissetta, Palermo, Enna, and Agrigento are all within easy reach. The origins of the territory are very ancient: traces of human settlements date back to the Bronze Age, as evidenced by the findings in the Tanarizzi district, where a tomb with human remains and funerary vases has yielded valuable evidence now preserved in the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum in Syracuse. In Casabella, on the border with Villalba, the remains of an ancient urban settlement have been preserved, while more recently, during work on the Palermo-Catania railway, a Roman villa was discovered in the Manca district, which is still being excavated. The current town was founded in 1623 at the behest of the nobleman Pietro Marino, who obtained the licentia populandi. Originally called simply Vallelunga, it was only in 1865 that the name “Pratameno” was added in honor of the duke who contributed to its foundation and growth. Under the Notarbartolo dynasty, the village experienced a period of development with various improvements to the area. Today, Vallelunga Pratameno preserves traditions linked to the farming world and craftsmanship. Its countryside produces almonds, grapes, olives, tomatoes, and wheat, while in the past it was also known for the production of pottery and bricks, an art that has now disappeared but which tells the industrious history of this corner of Sicily.

18) Waldensian Church in Riesi

Founded in the 19th century, the Waldensian Evangelical Church of Riesi is a center of faith, solidarity, and inclusion, in line with the principles of the Waldensian movement. It is located in the heart of the town, in the province of Caltanissetta, and has always been a spiritual and social reference point for the local community. The building, with its sober and essential architecture, reflects the typical style of Evangelical churches, with a simple but welcoming interior, devoid of sacred images, focused on the Bible and preaching. In addition to Sunday services, the church is active in social and educational initiatives, contributing to community life in Riesi with support and sharing activities. Its history is a plural one, because the Waldensian Evangelical Church was born from the union of two Christian denominations—Waldensian and Methodist—with different theological visions and historical backgrounds, which, however, did not prevent them from sharing a common path in the Italian context. As Protestant churches, the faithful live Christianity based exclusively on the Gospel, a source that inspires their witness and daily actions. Their history is a concrete attempt to embody this awareness. Founded in the 19th century, the Waldensian Evangelical Church of Riesi represents a center of faith, solidarity, and inclusion, in line with the principles of the Waldensian movement. It is located in the heart of the town, in the province of Caltanissetta, and has always been a spiritual and social reference point for the local community. The building, with its sober and essential architecture, reflects the typical style of Evangelical churches, with a simple but welcoming interior, devoid of sacred images, focused on the Bible and preaching. In addition to Sunday services, the church is active in social and educational initiatives, contributing to community life in Riesi with support and sharing activities. Its history is a plural one, because the Waldensian Evangelical Church was born from the union of two Christian denominations—Waldensian and Methodist—with different theological visions and historical backgrounds, which, however, did not prevent them from sharing a common path in the Italian context. As Protestant churches, the faithful live Christianity based exclusively on the Gospel, a source that inspires their witness and daily actions. Their history is a concrete attempt to embody this awareness.

19) Sughereta di Niscemi Nature Reserve

The Sughereta di Niscemi Nature Reserve preserves one of the last and most precious fragments of cork oak and holm oak forest in central Sicily, once widespread across much of the island. Today, this forest, together with the nearby Bosco di Santo Pietro in Caltagirone, is the only large remnant of the vast Mediterranean oak forest that once covered central and southern Sicily. Walking along its paths, you are enveloped by a unique landscape: in addition to the majestic cork oaks, you will find holm oaks, thorny oaks, and a rich undergrowth of rockroses, heather, myrtle, and strawberry trees, intertwined with lianas that form wild and impenetrable corners. It is a living and complex ecosystem that is home to an equally diverse fauna. Among the mammals, you will find foxes, rabbits, porcupines, and even the rare wildcat; among the reptiles, there are green lizards, grass snakes, and the more elusive leopard snake. The sky above the reserve is animated by birds of prey such as buzzards and kestrels, while thrushes, blackbirds, and small passerines hide among the branches, finding a safe haven here. A true treasure trove of biodiversity, combining the charm of the Mediterranean landscape with the ecological value of an environment to be carefully preserved.

20) Shrine of Our Lady of Niscemi

The Sanctuary of Maria Santissima del Bosco stands on the northwestern side of Niscemi and is the spiritual heart of the city. Its origins are linked to a legend: in May 1599, a herdsman found his ox kneeling in front of a spring, from which emerged a painting of the Madonna and Child, miraculously intact among the waters. The news aroused wonder and faith, so much so that a first chapel was built to house the image, which was soon venerated as miraculous. The current Baroque-style sanctuary was built starting in 1749 based on a design by architect Silvestro Gugliara and completed in 1758, after the original small church had been damaged by the earthquake of 1693. Inside, an elliptical nave houses three polychrome marble altars; in the presbytery, a precious altar houses the painting of the Madonna, created in the 18th century to replace the original, which was destroyed in a fire in 1769. The sanctuary also preserves evidence related to the miraculous discovery: the two candlesticks and the base of the cross found near the spring, kept in the lower chapel known as ‘dell'Acqua Santa’ (Holy Water). Over the centuries, popular devotion has kept the memory alive with processions, pilgrimages, and solemn celebrations. Every year, on May 21, the anniversary of the discovery is celebrated, while in August the great patron saint festival brings the Madonna del Bosco in procession on a sumptuous golden vara, followed by the faithful and pilgrims. Even today, the people of Niscemi make a pilgrimage to Maronna, walking, sometimes barefoot, along the road to the sanctuary, renewing a tradition of faith and gratitude that spans the centuries.

21) Milena

Milena, a small village in the Sicilian hinterland, is a young town only in terms of its municipal institution, which was established in 1923, but its history has ancient roots. Its territory preserves traces of settlements dating back to the Neolithic, Copper, Bronze, and Iron Ages. Over the centuries, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, and Normans passed through, each leaving their mark. The current town began to take shape at the end of the 19th century, when the lands of the Benedictines of San Martino della Scala in Palermo, which had become state property and then the property of the municipality of Sutera, were sold to the inhabitants. It was the farmers and guardians who built the first houses, giving rise to the Robbe, the original nuclei from which Milena was born. Today, the village retains a strong link with its traditions and identity, which is expressed above all in its cuisine and popular festivals. Milena is welcoming in every season, but the best time to fully experience its soul is during the celebrations: between festivals, rituals, and cultural events, the village comes alive with colors, scents, and flavors that tell the story of the real Sicily.

22) Serradifalco

Serradifalco, in the heart of the province of Caltanissetta, owes its name to a cliff once populated by falcons. The village was officially founded in 1640 with the licentia populandi granted to Maria Ventimiglia and developed under the Lo Faso family, who promoted its growth. Nestled in the hills between the Platani and Salso rivers, the village preserves the memory of its mining past: until 1988, the large Montecatini-Edison sulfur mine was active here. Today, Serradifalco is known as the “town of mines and traditions” and lives mainly from agriculture, crafts, and small industries. The historic center boasts elegant architecture: the Ducal Palace, the neoclassical Mother Church of San Leonardo Abate, and the Baroque Church of the Immaculate Conception. From Monte Calvario, now an urban park, there is a panoramic view that encompasses Lake Soprano and the surrounding valley. Life in the village is marked by religious festivals: the Feast of San Leonardo, Holy Week with the “Scinnenza,” and the evocative Tavulata di San Giuseppe, which celebrates tradition and community.

23) Mother Church of Campofranco

The Mother Church of Campofranco dates back to 1575, when Giovanni Dei Campo, a young knight and heir to the barons of Mussomeli, obtained permission from Philip II of Spain to found the village and become its baron. The family crest still stands out on the Renaissance façade and inside the church, commemorating this connection. Inside, visitors can admire the neoclassical central altar, with a wooden tabernacle decorated to imitate marble, and the elegant sculptural group by Giuseppe Cardella (1872), depicting the Madonna del Rosario and St. Dominic. Among the works of art, the 17th-century painting The Beheading of John the Baptist, attributed to Flemish masters active in Sicily, also stands out.

24) Necropolis of Vassallaggi 

Marianopoli is a small village in the Nisseno hinterland, nestled on a hill overlooking the surrounding landscape. The village, founded in modern times but inhabited since ancient times, preserves authentic traditions and a deep connection with the territory. Its history and identity are closely intertwined with the ancient archaeological site of Vassallaggi, located not far from the town center. Vassallaggi, located on a system of five hills, was already inhabited in the Bronze Age and reached its peak between the 6th and 5th centuries BC, when it was Hellenized and transformed into an important military outpost and sacred center dedicated to Demeter and Kore. The necropolises, the remains of dwellings, and the artifacts found there bear witness to the cultural vitality and links with the great Greek cities of Sicily, such as Agrigento. Today, Marianopoli and Vassallaggi form an inseparable pair: the village preserves the living memory of a thousand-year-old past, while the archaeological excavations represent a precious heritage that enriches the area with history, culture, and charm.