CORLEONE
Corleone
is a town of some 12,000 inhabitants in the Palermo province, lying
on a sandstone area.
It
was dominated by the Arab, who brought about a remarkable economic
and political growth, and the Norman. At one time it was surrounded
by defensive walls that connected the Castello Soprano and Castello
Sottano. It became a royal property around the end of the 14th century
and later passed into the feudal holdings of Federico Ventimiglia.
The
city layout has undergone numerous changes because of several landslides
and floods that had devastating effects on some of the city quarters.
A remarkable demographic growth is reported in the 15th and 16th
centuries following the coming in town of several religious orders.
Corleone
visitors can enjoy numerous cultural and artistical sites. A lookout
tower built between the 11th and 12th century known as Saracena,
offers the opportunity to admire the Cascata delle Due Rocche, a
sheer drop along the course of the Corleone river.
The
Castello Sottano is better preserved than the Soprano’s but
it cannot be visited since it serves as a Franciscan hermitage.
The
Chiesa Madre dedicated to St. Martin Bishop was initiated in the
late 1300’s. Its present look is the result of numerous changes
and refurbishments. Its interior has nave and aisles divided into
various chapels containing precious pieces such as a 1600’s
wooden statue representing San Filippo d’Agira, a 1500’s
statue representing San Biagio and a fine 1500’s marble panel
depicting the Baptism of Christ.
The
church dedicated to the Basilian abbot and patron saint San Leoluca,
the 1700’s Chiesa dell’Addolorata, the 1600’s
Chiesa di Santa Rosalia and the small Sant’Andrea’s,
all with engaging fresoces and paintings, are also worth-visiting.
A final mention must go to the Santuario della Madonna del Rosario
di Tagliavia, a religious building from the 19th century, now destination
of pilgrims on Ascension’s Day.
In
the city surroundings are sites of naturalistic interest. The Bosco
della Ficuzza is one of the richest and charmest woods in all Sicily,
that King Ferdinand of Bourbon himself in the late 16th century
made his hunting lodge. It has The vegetation is highly varied comprising
oaks, ashes, cork-oaks, maples; it is home to an as much as rich
wildlife including small mammals, countless species of birds and
wild-boars. Some buildings, among which is the Palazzina Reale,
also lie amidst the wood.
|
