Licata Attractions
Location
The port, industrial and trading center of Licata (chemical works, sulfur exports) lies on the south coast at the mouth of the River Salso, 40km/25mi southeast of Agrigento, 33km/21mi northwest of Gela. In the town and its environs there are many pleasant beaches for bathing.
History
Licata is built on the site of the ancient Phintias, which was founded in 280 B.C. by the Agrigentan tyrant of the same name, in order to provide a new home for the inhabitants of the town of Gela, which had been destroyed by the Mamertinians. From the evidence of inscriptions and coins, the population continued to call themselves citizens of Gela. How long this town existed is not known.
The present-day town was founded in the Middle Ages and, after being fortified in the period of Aragonese rule, prospered in the 16th/17th centuries.
On 10th July 1943 American troops landed here and at Gela.
The port, industrial and trading center of Licata (chemical works, sulfur exports) lies on the south coast at the mouth of the River Salso, 40km/25mi southeast of Agrigento, 33km/21mi northwest of Gela. In the town and its environs there are many pleasant beaches for bathing.
History
Licata is built on the site of the ancient Phintias, which was founded in 280 B.C. by the Agrigentan tyrant of the same name, in order to provide a new home for the inhabitants of the town of Gela, which had been destroyed by the Mamertinians. From the evidence of inscriptions and coins, the population continued to call themselves citizens of Gela. How long this town existed is not known.
The present-day town was founded in the Middle Ages and, after being fortified in the period of Aragonese rule, prospered in the 16th/17th centuries.
On 10th July 1943 American troops landed here and at Gela.
Castello Sant'Angelo
The Castello Sant'Angelo of 1615 stands on a 134m/440ft high hill in the western part of Licata. Remains of the ancient town of Phintias can be seen here.
Chiesa Madre
The Chiesa Madre in Licata, built in the 16th century and altered in the 18th, contains in the Capella del Crocifisso a 16th century crucifix.
Chiesa del Carmine
The Chiesa del Carmine in Licata dates from the 18th century, and was designed by Giovan Biagio Amico. It includes the former monastery and a 16th century cloister as well as the remains of an earlier 14th century building.
Falconara
This beautifully situated fortress (14th century, with battlements) and a few neighboring houses and beaches can be reached by driving east along the coast for 11km/7mi past Punta delle due Rocche.
Museum
In the town hall on the Piazza Progresso in Licata there is a small museum with a few ancient finds from Licata and the surrounding area; others are to be found in the museums at Agrigento and Palermo.
Ravanusa, Italy
(Near Licata)
Ravanusa (24km/15mi north of Licata), situated at a height of 304m/997ft, can be reached on the SS 557. There is a private collection of ancient ceramics (next to the Bar Curti Vella) which can be visited.
Riesi, Italy
(Near Licata)
If we take the SS 557 past Ravanusa as far as the junction (28km/17mi), then turn right on to the SS 190, after 11km/7mi we reach the town of Riesi (330m/1,085ft, 18,000 inhabitants), which has acquired a certain renown, both for its ceramic production, as well as being the seat of the Servizio Cristiano which meets to discuss the development of better living conditions. Riesi can also be reached from Caltanissetta by proceeding southwards on the SS 191, turning right after 40km/25mi on to the SS 190, and traveling a further 5km/3mi.
