Castelvetrano (Sicilian: Castiḍḍuvitranu) is a town and comune in the province of Trapani, Sicily, southern Italy. The archeological site of Selinunte is located within the municipal territory.

Castelvetrano
Città di Castelvetrano
Mother Church
Mother Church
Coat of arms of Castelvetrano
Castelvetrano within the Province of Trapani
Castelvetrano within the Province of Trapani
Location of Castelvetrano
Map
Castelvetrano is located in Italy
Castelvetrano
Castelvetrano
Location of Castelvetrano in Italy
Castelvetrano is located in Sicily
Castelvetrano
Castelvetrano
Castelvetrano (Sicily)
Coordinates: 37°41′0″N 12°47′35″E / 37.68333°N 12.79306°E / 37.68333; 12.79306
CountryItaly
RegionSicily
ProvinceTrapani (TP)
FrazioniMarinella (Selinunte), Triscina
Government
 • MayorEnzo Alfano
Area
 • Total209.76 km2 (80.99 sq mi)
Elevation
187 m (614 ft)
Population
 (28 February 2017)[2]
 • Total31,680
 • Density150/km2 (390/sq mi)
DemonymCastelvetranesi
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
91022
Dialing code0924
Patron saintSt. John the Baptist
Saint day24 June
WebsiteOfficial website
The Nymph Fountain.

The municipality borders with Campobello di Mazara, Mazara del Vallo, Menfi, Montevago, Partanna, Salemi and Santa Ninfa.[3]

History

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The first recorded mentions of Castelvetrano in the historical record date back to the 12th and 13th centuries. By the 15th century, records exist of a federation of local cities which includes Castelvetrano. The church of St. John, outside the city walls, dates back to this period and was founded in 1412.

Economy

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The economy is based predominantly on farming, with the cultivation of vines and olive trees being the main focus. Woodworking (mainly furniture) is also an important sector. Both Valle del Belìce olive oil and Nocellara del Belice DOP table olives have a protected status in the European Union.

Main sights

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The center of Castelvetrano consists of three linked squares and many monuments can be found within these areas. The main square is Piazza Tagliavia, which is adorned with many fine buildings including the town's principal church, the Chiesa Madre, which in its present form dates back to the sixteenth century. Inside the church are stuccoes by Ferraro and Giacomo Serpotta.

Near the church is the Municipio (town hall) and also close by is the Purgatory Church, built in 1624–64, with its façade filled with statues[4] and the church of Chiesa di San Domenico built in 1470, inside the church is the marble sepulcher of the prince Carlo d'Aragona Tagliavia.

In the municipality of Castelvetrano, between the hamlets of Triscina and Marinella di Selinunte, is the archaeological park of Selinunte, an ancient Greek city.

Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ^ (in Italian) Source: Istat 2011
  3. ^ 39291 (xjah) Castelvetrano on OpenStreetMap
  4. ^ (in Italian) Castelvetrano on trapani-sicilia.it
  5. ^ "In Sicily, on the hunt for the last mafia fugitive". The Guardian. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  6. ^ "Matteo Messina Denaro, l'uomo più ricercato d'Italia, è diventato nonno". lastampa.it (in Italian). 24 July 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
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