The story of Villafrati, a small town in the province of Palermo located along the bed of the Milicia river.
It has a past made of dominations and glory. Discovering it more closely means not only discovering a architecture treasure both civil and religious but also to understand more closely a piece of history that made the Sicilia what it is today: a wonderful land rich in culture. So here are some details on the history of Villafrati and what there is to see that is truly unmissable in the Sicilian village.
The history of Villafrati
In 1602 Spanish crown decided to grant the licentia populandi to a small farm that was located in the territory of what is now the village of Villafrati. Thanks to this special permit, some families moved from nearby territories to what was at the time an uninhabited area but which in the past had seen traces of civilization since prehistoric times. Unfortunately, the process of population was very slow, so much so that in about 1650 the village was animated by less than 500 people. When the village passed into the hands of the Filangeri family, however, everything changed as the new feudal lords invested a lot in building, for example creating the Castle district, and gave life to a flourishing plaster production, making Villafrati a cutting-edge center in this field. In the early years of the twentieth century, then, Villafrati underwent a process of migration, as happened for other Sicilian towns. However, around the seventies the village experienced a season of strong building impulse, thanks to the remittances of the inhabitants who emigrated abroad.
What to see in Villafrati
Certainly there Mother Church, named after the Holy Trinity and with the beautiful portal called Door of the Mysteries, is one of the most significant monuments of the village but certainly not the only one. Most of the structures built from 1700 onwards were wanted or subsidized by the Filangeri family. This happens, for example, in the case of Beam, a residential structure that used to be the palace of the Filangeri family and which was later partly transformed into a theatre. Also there Church of Sant'Antonio di Padova, from the first half of the eighteenth century, deserves a thorough visit.
Things to do in Villafrati
Many religious and folk festivals are organized every year in Villafrati. Certainly the best known is the cunnutta di torci: it is an anniversary that is held in correspondence with the Feast of the Most Holy Crucifix and which includes a parade of both mules and horses that are harnessed with the symbols of the country. The animals carry the harvested grain on their backs, precisely because it is a celebration of abundance. Then there is the patronal feast which is that of the Holy Trinity held every year in June
What to eat in Villafrati
Obviously a Villafrati the cuisine is traditional Sicilian, so you can taste all the most typical dishes of this food and wine. There are many appointments with festivals, such as the one dedicated to wheat, which showcases all wheat-based products. Finally, some well-known specialties such as cannoli, cassate, lardu chinu and much more are to be tasted. The local production of almonds and ricotta can also be seen in the more traditional recipes.
What to visit near Villafrati
One of the structures that collects the most acclaim and appreciation in the immediate vicinity of Villafrati are the Arab baths, which are actually known by the name of Baths of Cefalà Diana e Chiarastar since these are not thermal baths dating back to Arab domination but it is a structure of Roman times. A short distance away are also worth a visit Borgo Drago pond and Ficuzza forest which is one of green lungs of all Sicily. Rocca Busambra, on the other hand, is a paradise for climbing enthusiasts.
How is it possible to get to Villafrati
Those who leave from Palermo and want to reach Villafrati by car they can do it along the SS121 or the Sp77.
Those who move from Catania, however, must first take the A19 and then continue on the SS121.
From Messina the most suitable route is to take the A20 first and then the E90 while from Trapani visitors will choose the A29 and immediately after the E933.
Finally, from Syracuse, you must first take the A19 and then the E932 while from Enna and Agrigento the recommended road is the Ss189.
Villafrati does not have its own railway station, so those who prefer to move on the train they can refer to the nearby stations of Casteldaccia, Altavilla Milicia or San Nicola Tonnara and from there continue towards the village with the bus lines made available by the AST company.
© Image by Don't make me regret to help you, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
