The memory in Campofiorito is long and the history that you will discover in the village begins around the eighth century BC
Campofiorito it has seen Greeks and Romans, Muslims and Catholics, warriors and peasants pass by: all have left their traces, not only in the center but also in the surrounding area, among castles and churches, towers and necropolises and so, along the streets of Campofiorito, they hand down the echoes of great battles and peaceful days spent among the fertile fields.
All measures of Campofiorito
Originally, around the town there was a large area of about 18 hectares called "grammaritaru“, an area that in the past extended from the former fiefdom of Conteraineri to Castellaccio.
The villages that were part of the grammaritaru were those of Tricola, Entella, Jato and Corleone. To access this large "field" in ancient times, one passed along the road at the foot of Monte Castellaccio, which is still visible today. From here you begin to see the two terraced-fortifications of Castellaccio, then the Batticano torrent, Piano delle Giumente and finally the large valley between the Tiracalenta and Trione mountains which exceed a thousand metres.
Continuing, you come across the Street of the Mills, which connects the two areas of Pirrera Alta e Pirrera Bassa, overcoming which one arrives at the Scorciavacca Castle. Finally, you will find the ancient archaeological sites of St. John's mountain need Cozzo Tarucco.
The history of Campofiorito
Here in the grammaritaru, the history of Campofiorito begins, with the arrival of the Greeks in the eighth century BC testified by the necropolis which was only found in the twentieth century; later, during the Roman domination, the center became important and known as Villanovam, probably inhabited by slaves. However, when the Arabs arrived, Villanovam had lost much of its importance, becoming a small Byzantine center. During the Middle Ages, the center was colonized by Christians, who expelled the Muslims, thus lighting the fuse of a struggle that lasted three years and ended with the expulsion of the Muslims in 1246.
Exploring the surroundings of the town, it is also possible to find theancient Roman farm, ruins of castles and ancient warehouses. Other finds, such as porcelain and everyday objects, were found during the excavations in 1951 and are kept in the various local museums.
The more recent history of Campofiorito can instead be read in the monuments of the historic centre, fromTower clock dated 1839 to the middle school building, built in 1958.
Culture and traditions of the village of Campofiorito
The predominant culture in Campofiorito is the Catholic one, which develops in the churches of the village starting from the construction of the first sacred building in 1246. From 1760 is instead the Church of Santo Stefano Protomartire, one of the most important in Campofiorito, where it is possible to admire great examples of sacred art, from the Altar of Our Lady of Sorrows to the Altar of Santo Stefano.
Another aspect of the local culture is the lively commercial activity that has revolved around fairs and markets since the XNUMXth century: the Cattle Fair it is a local institution, born to facilitate the businesses of the breeders who constituted the main wealth of the village. Around the mid-nineteenth century, the fair was merged with religious celebrations in honor of the Our Lady of the Rosarybecoming a real one village festival, complete with illuminations, processions and fireworks.
Campofiorito celebrates his patron saint, Santo Stefano, on December 26, while the Patron Saint Joseph it is celebrated on March 19; the patron festivals they follow the Christian calendar as in all of Italy, but in Campofiorito these dates become the theater of tradition, between Tavuliate and concerts, processions and illuminations.
What to see in Campofiorito and surroundings
In Campofiorito you can visit the Church of Santo Stefano and the Church of St. Joseph, admire works such as the statue of San Leoluca di Corleone and the statue of San Giuseppe del Bagnasco; in the Church of Maddonnuzza, which is located on the road to Corleone, you will find the statue of the Pietà, while in the direction of Bisacquino, you will meet the statue of Padre Pio.
In summer, the Municipality of Campofiorito organizes musical and theatrical performances for its citizens, to which all the tourists who are in the town are also invited. Furthermore, visitors will be able to attend parades such as those of vintage cars through the streets of the centre, or the competitions and sporting events of Campofiorito.
Between festivals, fairs and parties, every season of the year in Campofiorito, welcomes you with pleasant attractions and with an invitation to the table: here you can taste Fava beans and eggplant timbale, caponata and pasta alla Norma, as well as delicious desserts such as Sicilian cannolo or cassata.
