The city of Grotte, 516m a.s.l. and about 8,300 inhabitants, is
in the province of Agrigento. It derives its name from the many
grottoes spread across the area. Historical sources maintain that
in the 14th century it, still a hamlet, belonged to the Ventimiglias.
Its successive Lords were Desiderio di San Filippo and the Prince
of Carini Vincenzo La Gura Talamanca, both members of the Montaperto
family.
Grotte
has some interesting architectural and historical attractions
like the Palazzo Municipale, housed in the former Convent of the
Carmelitan Fathers, the 1700’s Palazzo del Duca Vincenzo
La Grua Talamanca, and several religious buildings like the 1700’s
Mother Church, the Chiesa del Carmine, dating from the 16th century
and later rebuilt, and the Church of the Purgatory.
