Palermo, Catania, Syracuse and Agrigento with the Valley of the Temples are just some of the countless things to see in Sicily, an island that has a lot to offer. In fact, there are many places that may be less known, but equally rich and evocative and among these there is certainly Chiaramonte Gulfi, a small village in the province of Ragusa.
Its location has earned it the nickname of Balcony of Sicily, being at a height of 668 m. which houses 8 museum spaces, thanks to which the visitor will be able to learn more about the history and traditions of this enchanting Sicilian corner.
Chiaramonte Gulfi: what to see
The village of Chiaramonte Gulfi it was founded by the Norman Manfredi I Chiaramonte and its first inhabitants were refugees from the ancient Gulfi Arab colony, devastated in 1299 by the Angevins.
The historic center of Chiaramonte Gulfi is a small Baroque treasure, full of 700th and 800th century buildings, especially along Corso Umberto I, churches, artisan shops and places to taste the typical cuisine of the place: speaking of typical food and wine, a visit to Chiaramonte Gulfi cannot fail to include a taste of theextra virgin olive oil DOP Monti Iblei and a plate of ricotta ravioli served with pork sauce.
There are many places of worship in the village, from church of the patron San Vito to the Church of St. Joseph up to Church of the Annunciation and to that of St. Mary of Jesus dating back to the XNUMXth century. Inside the latter are preserved works of great value such as a wooden crucifix and a marble simulacrum from the Gagini school. Also worth a visit there Church of San Filippo , Church of the Savior overlooking the homonymous square and guardian inside two ancient wooden statues of San Biagio and San Sebastiano.
The same Palazzo Comunale of the village is housed in an old Franciscan convent, in whose annexed church there is now a multifunctional hall dedicated to Leonardo Sciascia.
However, the main place of worship in Chiaramonte Gulfi is the Church of Santa Maria La Nova: dates back to the XNUMXth century and dominates, with its imposing façade, the very central area Piazza Duomo. “Museum of Historical-Military Memorabilia” it is located right next to the church and houses a series of war relics related to the wars of the last 200 years. In Piazza Duomo there is also the "Museum of Sacred Art" where, in addition to liturgical objects and sacred vestments, an animated nativity scene is kept, set right in the ancient Chiaramonte Gulfi.
The museums of Chiaramonte Gulfi
Not far from Piazza Duomo is the elegant Palazzo Montesano, eighteenth-century building embellished with balconies in clear Baroque style. Inside this building there are five museums, among which the “Oil Museum”, where ancient objects are exhibited (including a press dating back to 1614) related to the processing and production of Monti Iblei DOP olive oil. The Palazzo Montesano then houses the “Ornithological Museum”, with many specimens of stuffed birds, the Liberty House Museum with the reconstruction of an Art Nouveau house down to the smallest detail, the room with the “Wooden Sotie” by Iano Catania and finally the “Museum of Ethnic-Musical Instruments”: tools from all over the world are exhibited at the latter, including some in bone of tribal origin. In Palazzo Montesano there is also the “Giovanni Di Vita Art Gallery”, full of works from the 900s.
The oldest heart of Chiaramonte Gulfi has its main symbol in the Arch of the Annunziata, the only access gate to the village which remained intact following the earthquake of 1693: it was completely inserted into the walls and still today has bas-reliefs depicting the Archangel Gabriel and the Praying Madonna.
In this area of Chiaramonte Gulfi there is also the Church of St. John the Baptist, dating back to the eighteenth century and also frequented by the Knights of Malta and the “Museum of Embroidery and Sicilian Sfilato”, full of tools and artifacts related to the ancient art of embroidery, with a particular focus on the Chiaramonte stitch.
You cannot leave Chiaramonte Gulfi without having visited the verdant area Villa Comunale, from whose belvedere you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Iblei Mountains, the nearby Gulf of Gela, the Ippari Valley and the underlying Sanctuary of Maria Santissima di Gulfi, located in the shade of the Monte Archibessi.
If you want to visit an authentic corner of Sicily and maybe participate in the enthralling Feast of Maria Santissima di Gulfi on Sunday in albis, then reach Chiaramonte Gulfi, where you will discover a surprising historical and artistic heritage.
© Image by Sal73x, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
