Centuripe

The name, according to the tradition, but not proven historically, would mean the town of 100 rocks. It is today an important agricultural center rising on a number of reliefs, with a five-pointed-star plan, between the valleys of the Dittaino and Salso rivers, with a spectacular view of the Etna mountain.

For centuries in the town artisans remade pottery following the models of the ancient archeological findings of the area and these items were often sold throughout Europe as authentic. Now their knowledge and mastery is completely legitimate and accounts for a magnificent production of figures in terracotta, polychrome relief and pots, using as models items found since the 3rd century BC.

HISTORY: Excavations have unearthed remains of a necropolis of the 8th century BC, and later Hellenistic settlement (Kentoripa) of remarkable importance. The town enjoyed wealth and importance in the Roman era, as can be derived by the many statues and buildings found almost everywhere. Under Norman rule Centuripe was the seat of a castle, but was destroyed in 1269 by the Angevins. Rebuilt in 1548 by Count of Adernò Francesco Moncada, it was for a long time under the descendants of the Moncada family.

WHAT TO SEE

The parish church of the Immacolata Concezione, of the early 18th century, rich of paintings and decorations, with a 19th century facade on a project of architect Vincenzo Caruso.

Borgo Carcaci, a medieval settlement almost intact in its ancient atmosphere, and on the road to the hamlet of Carcaci the aqueduct on a high bridge built in the 18th century by the prince of Biscari, acclaimed at the time as one of the marvels of Sicily.

The Castello di Corradino, a medieval fortress with a square plan on a high rock, built near a Roman building, probably a mausoleum from the Imperial era.

a Roman complex at the contrada Bagni, represented in a watercolor by French painter Jean Houel (1735-1813) in 1778, a painting that is today in the Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Museo Archeologico di Centuripe, hosting items from all the history of the settlement, going back at least 3,000 years.