Cammarata is a picturesque medieval village nestled in the heart of the Sicani Mountains Regional Park and the Monte Cammarata oriented reserve. It is believed that the origins of the village may be prior to the Arab period. It is certain that the current town was born during the Norman period, when the territory and the castle were donated by Count Ruggero d'Altavilla to his relative Lucia "De Camerata", who together with her son Adamo owned them until 1154. To their After his death it is believed that the city belonged to the state kingdom for about a century, until it was granted by King Manfredi to Federico Maletta. Subsequently, until the abolition of feudalism, Cammarata was dominated by various noble families: the Vinciguerra, the Moncada, the Abatellis, the Branciforti.
Where is Cammarata located? Cammarata is a municipality in the province of Agrigento. It is a village in the Sicilian hinterland, located at 700 meters above sea level on the slopes of the mountain of the same name, about fifty kilometers from the city of Agrigento. Its territory falls within the oriented reserve of Monte Cammarata.
How to reach Cammarata? The simplest way to reach Cammarata is to use your own car and take the SS189 which connects Agrigento and Cammarata. From Palermo it is recommended to take the SS121 and then the SS189. From Catania it is convenient to reach Agrigento first and from there take the SS189. From Trapani we recommend reaching Palermo and from there Cammarata. It is also possible to reach Cammarata by train: there is a regional connection departing from Agrigento and Palermo. Finally, take advantage of the local bus lines departing from Agrigento and Palermo.
What is the best time to visit Cammarata?
Cammarata can be visited all year round: the welcome and warmth of the Sicilians will amaze you.
But for an unforgettable experience, admiring the colors, tasting the flavors and fully experiencing the traditions, it is advisable to plan a visit on the days of one of the festivals that take place in Cammarata during the year.
If you want to know about upcoming festivals and events Click here and you will find a list of the most important ones.
What to see
The village boasts an ancient history and its architectural beauties, in particular the religious architecture, are testimony to this: the Mother Church dedicated to San Nicolò di Bari which stands on the site of the old Matrix, destroyed by a fire in 1624; the Church of San Vito martyr, one of the most important churches in the area; the Church of Santa Domenica, known as Batia, with an adjoining cloistered Benedictine convent in the 14th century; the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate, also known as the Church of San Domenico, and the adjoining convent of the order of the Preachers of San Domenico now used as a school; the Church of the Annunziata, from the 14th century, also known as Batia di Sotto; the Church of San Sebastiano, formerly the seat of the brotherhood of the Madonna dell'Itria; the Church of Santa Maria di Gesù, also known as the Sanctuary of Maria Santissima Cacciapensieri, and the adjoining convent of the Order of Friars Minor; the Church of San Giacomo; the Church of San Biagio; the Church of the Madonna delle Grazie known as the Church Madonna of the Baron; the Church of the Madonna dell'Indirizzo; the Church of Santa Caterina; the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate located in the Tumarrano district. The Cammarata Castle is the symbol of the city, and today its tower, the best preserved part, is used for the staging of exhibitions and events. Among the other civil buildings worthy of note is the Palazzo Trajna, today the seat of the Town Hall. Cammarata is surrounded by lush nature, coniferous and broad-leaved forests. Of notable interest is the Natural Reserve of Monte Cammarata.
Traditional Festivals, Events, Live Show, Concerts,... Cammarata
Among the religious festivals that take place in Cammarata, the most characteristic is the cavalcade of the SS. Crucifix of the Angels, which is traditionally celebrated on the last Sunday of May. On this occasion, horses and riders parade between two wings of cheering crowds through the streets of the town. Another religious festival that is deeply felt by the population is the Feast of San Giuseppe and the Madonna of Cacciapensieri, during which we witness the procession of the simulacra of San Giuseppe and the Madonna of Cacciapensieri, carried on the shoulders, respectively by men and women. An event in which centuries-old traditions are revived is the Festa del SS. Rain Crucifix, whose name is linked to a miraculous event.
During the Christmas period, among the narrow and ancient streets of the historic centre, the evocative Living Nativity Scene of Cammarata. In the summer period, the Culture Week is of great importance and every year includes a rich program of artistic and cultural events .
Typical food, local wines and drinks, traditional dish to taste in Cammarata
You can obviously taste all the typical products of Sicilian cuisine, the most well-known ones, such as
cannoli,
Sicilian cassata, arancini, etc.
But there are some specialties typical of this area that are more difficult to find in other areas of Sicily.
Cammarata boasts a notable level of agri-food production: ancient grains, peach orchards, olive groves, vineyards and above all dairy industry products such as pecorino, castrato and caciocavallo. A typical specialty of the village is baked pecorino: cooking gives the pecorino a golden and crunchy crust and a soft and stringy interior.
Interesting Facts
Interesting and fun facts, mythology, legend, folk tales and more to know about Cammarata
