Calatafimi Attractions
Communications
SS 113 Palermo-Trapani; railroad station.
Location
This country town in northwest Sicily was, like Alcamo in the northeast, founded by the Arabs (the first part of the place-name is from the Arabic "qalat" = castle). It became famous as the site of the first victory of Giuseppe Garibaldi and his "army of a thousand" over the Bourbon troops. After his landing in Marsala (11th May 1860) and his proclamation as dictator of Sicily at Salemi (14th May), this battle took place on 15th May.
SS 113 Palermo-Trapani; railroad station.
Location
This country town in northwest Sicily was, like Alcamo in the northeast, founded by the Arabs (the first part of the place-name is from the Arabic "qalat" = castle). It became famous as the site of the first victory of Giuseppe Garibaldi and his "army of a thousand" over the Bourbon troops. After his landing in Marsala (11th May 1860) and his proclamation as dictator of Sicily at Salemi (14th May), this battle took place on 15th May.
Castle
In Calatafimi there is an Arab castle (view across to the Temple of Segesta) and several churches, including the Chiesa Madre with a marble altar of 1514.
Ossario
The battle and its victims are commemorated by an ossarium which was built in 1892 on a 420m/1,378ft high hill 4km/2.5mi southwest of Calatafimi.
