Mussomeli

Mussomeli
—  Comune  —
Comune di Mussomeli
Coat of arms
Mussomeli Location of Mussomeli in Italy
Coordinates: 37°35′N 13°45′E / 37.583°N 13.75°E / 37.583; 13.75Coordinates: 37°35′N 13°45′E / 37.583°N 13.75°E / 37.583; 13.75
Country	Italy
Region	Sicily
Province	Caltanissetta (CL)
Frazioni	Mappa, Polizzello
Government
- Mayor	Calogero Valenza
Area
- Total	161 km2 (62.2 sq mi)
Elevation	650 m (2,133 ft)
Population (January 31, 2004)
- Total	11,354
- Density	70.5/km2 (182.7/sq mi)
Demonym	Mussomelesi
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
- Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	93014
Dialing code	0934
Patron saint	Madonna of the Miracles
Saint day	September 8
Website	Official website

Mussomeli (Mussumeli in Sicilian) is a town and comune in the province of Caltanissetta, Sicily, Italy.

The Castle of Mussomeli.

History

Mussomeli was founded in the 14th century by Manfredo III Chiaramonte with the name Manfredi, but later the current name, probable of Arab origin, was reimposed. In 1549 it became a county under the Lanza family. A feast is held every September for the Madonna of the Miracles. A similar feast is held simultaneously in Buffalo, which has a large number of Mussomeli émigrés and their descendants.

Many townpeople also emigrated to the UK, to London and Woking, Surrey where the Madonna dei Miracoli (Madonna of Miracles) is celebrated every July. The most common surname in Mussomeli is Messina.

Main sights

• The Chiaramonte Castle Castello Mafredonico, built in 1370 in Norman-Gothic style. It stands on a high crag at 778 metres, 2 km outside the town. It has large halls, dungeons and torture cells, and a chapel with a precious alabaster depicting the Madonna dell Catena (1516). Near the castle are the ruins of a Greek-Italic village.
• The Chiesa della Madonna dei Miracoli (Church of Our Lady of the Miracles)
• The Chiesa Madre of San Ludovico (14th century). It was restored along Baroque lines in the 17th century.
• The Renaissance church of San Francesco.
• The 17th Palazzo Trabìa, with a noteworthy art gallery.
• The church of St. Anthony (16th century)

External links

• History and traditions of Mussomeli "MUSSOMELI LIVE"