Origin of the name "Caltanissetta"
Marcè Vincenzo - CC3.0
The name "Caltanissetta" is linked to the history and ancient origins of this city.
The first to inhabit the territory of Caltanissetta were the Sicans around the nineteenth century BC, and the first name attributed to this city was that of "Nissa", or "woman". When, in 846 AD, the city was occupied by the Arabs, it was fortified and the Arabic name Qal'at was added, meaning "Castle", as it was protected it now appeared as a fortress. Thus it was that the city took the name of "Qal'at al-nisa", meaning Castle of the women.
