This small town on the southwest coast lies picturesquely situated on a hilly terrace above the sea. It is a fishing port that has been valued as a spa town since Roman towns. The spa and holiday center of Sciaccamare, 5km/3mi to the east, is very well equipped indeed.
History
Founded by Selinunte, after being destroyed in 409 B.C. the town came under Carthaginian rule and then in the third century under that of the Romans, who named it Thermae Selinuntinae. Since being conquered by the Saracens in 840 it has been known as Sciacca. In 1087 the Saracens were driven out by the Normans. The 15th and 16th centuries were marked by a feud between the rival Luna and Peralta merchant families, the "Casi di Sciacca". The town walls, parts of which still remain, are also 15th-16th centuries.
Near the church of San Nicolò la Latina is the Castello dei Luna (1380), of which only the outer walls and a tower remain. Further north will be found the Porta San Calägero.
The Piazza Don Minzoni in Sciacca is the location of the Cathedral dedicated to Mary Magdalene; it is 12th century, with a 16th century facade. Inside will be found a multisectional marble tabernacle ascribed to Antonino Gagini; there are six portrayals of the Passion, three one above the other on each side of the tabernacle, surmounted by the Crucifixion, God the Father and Christ.
About 2km/1.25mi east of Sciacca lies the Castello Incantato of Filippo Bentivegna. After returning from America in 1902 he dug out from the rocks behind his house thousands of heads - devils, knights errant, faces of gods and historical personages. The house became a small museum.
Address: Fondo Bentivegna, Via E. Ghezzi, I-92019 Sciacca, Italy
The limestone hill known as Monte Calógero (388m/1,273ft) rises up to the east of Sciacca; a winding road 7.5km/4.5mi long leads up to it. At the top stands the Santuario di San Calógero, inside which is a statue of Calägero by G. Gagini. Below the church are some natural caves, the Stufe Vaporose di San Calógero, from which - as the name suggests - steam issues forth. Finds made therein (housed in the Archeological Museum at Agrigento) show that they were used for healing purposes back in prehistoric times.
North of the Chiesa del Carmine in Sciacca stands the Palazzo Steripinto which, according to an inscription above the door, was built in 1501 by Antonio Noceto. Above a sloping base the walls are faced with diamond-shaped rustic blocks, the twin-windows have small, slender columns separating them, and the roof is crenellated.
The nucleus of Sciacca is the Piazza Scandaliato with a terrace facing the sea and the Town Hall, dating from the 17th century and formerly a Jesuit college.
To the west of the Casa Arone in Sciacca will be found a square with a wide flight of steps leading up to a 16th century Baroque town gate, the Porta di San Chiesa del Carmine Salvatore. The front of the Chiesa del Carmine, a triple-aisled basilica, looks down on this square. This too is a Gothic building altered during the Baroque period. The rose-window in the original front still remains; the Baroque main door, with its truncated pillars, has never been completed.
The treatment center in the east of Sciacca - where ancient thermal baths once were - offers radioactive thermal springs, mud-cures and inhalations. Treatment is provided for metabolic disorders, respiratory difficulties, feminine problems, childhood illnesses, allergies and skin diseases.
Address: Terme Selinuntine, Via Agatocle 2, I-92019 Sciacca, Italy
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