SANTO
STEFANO DI QUISQUINA
Santo
Stefano di Quisquina stands at an altitude of 730 metres a.s.l.
in the province of Agrigento. Agriculture and zootechnics are major
resources for the city economy. Two interesting cattle fairs are
held in the months of May and September.
Several
toponyms and the two hamlets of Rahaltvilla and Santo Stefano di
Melia provide evidence for the Arab presence on this area in the
past ages. During the 12th century, the city was ruled by Giovanni
Caltagirone. Its successive lords were Ruggero Sinisi, Guiscardo
de Agijas, the Lacarns and the Ventimiglias.
The
city has much to offer to tourists. The 1500’s Mother Church
dedicated to Saint Nicholas from Bari has three naves and contains
precious 1800’s paintings. One of these represents the ”.
The Santuario di Santa Rosalia alla Quisquina lies on a privileged
position, nearby the Serra Quisquina district at a 986m altitude
amidst a beautiful oak-grove. Built in the mid-1700s, it is said
to have been inhabited by Saint Rosalie before she migrated to the
Monte Pellegrino in Palermo. The hermitage, now inhabited by monks,
is a favorite goal for tourists. The church is enriched with frescoes
by the Manno brothers and a 1700’s statue of Santa Rosalia
by Filippo Pennino. Among the minor churches is the Chiesa del Sacramento
dedicated to San Francesco from Sales.
S.
Stefano di Quisquina accommodates several fine secular buildings;
among these a mention goes to the Palazzo Baronale (the Baron’s
Palace), built at the behest of Giuseppe Emanuele Ventimiglia, and
a small anthropological museum devoted to the local rural traditions.
Several
“profane” celebrations and food festivals are much renowned,
namely the Carnival, l’Estate Quisquinese (the Quisquinese
Summer) and the Cheese Festival. Religious celebrations are dedicated
to Saints Rosalia and Calogero, in June, and to the Martyrdom of
Christ on the Holy Friday.
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