The jewel of the Hyblean mountains: Palazzolo Acreide
The geographical extent of the Hyblaean Mountains has a history dating back thousands of years.. Here the landscape, which has remained totally intact over the years, bears witness to the vicissitudes of ancient peoples through its archaeological areas and the authentic eight late baroque cities of the Val di Noto. These include. Palazzolo Acreide, pearl of the Syracuse area, rich in artifacts and monuments that manifest its historical importance.
The history of one of the oldest villages in Sicily
At 41 kilometers from Syracuse, on a rocky ridge 670 meters high, stands Palazzolo Acreide. First settled in this patch of land were the Siculi in the 12th century BC. Later in 664 B.C. the Greeks of Syracuse founded the city of Akrai, the remains of which are still visible today and the Greek theater. The settlement reached its peak development during the reign of Hieron II, until it came under Roman rule in 211 B.C., changing its name to Acre.
From that time the original village of Palazzolo had a troubled history. It was destroyed by the Arabs and abandoned for decades, until it was repopulated by the Normans and baptized Palatiolum. The latter built a castle, later transformed into a baronial fortress.
In 1693 it was razed to the ground by the violent Val di Noto earthquake. Step by step it was rebuilt on the remains of the medieval city and main street, only to be again destroyed during the bombing raids of 1943. The steadfast will of citizens and authorities ensured that the village regained its historical and cultural identity through the reconstruction of its ancient Baroque churches and historic noble palaces.
In 1862 the patronymic Acreide was added to the name Palazzolo, to recall the Greek city of Akrai, which tells of the origins of one of the island’s oldest villages.
A city rich in art
The Greek Theater, the Medieval Castle, the numerous churches in the late baroque style and the upper seventeenth-century quarter testify to the artistic variety of Palazzolo Acreide. This is precisely why the Syracuse village is has been included in the list of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy and recognized as Unesco World Heritage Site.
Palazzolo Acreide and its medieval spirit
Below the Greek city of Akrai and on either side of theancient Church of St. Paul the Apostle, rise the two medieval quarters of Castelvecchio e Holy Spirit. Taking a few more steps leads to the ruins of the Castle, better known as Fortress of Castelmezzano, and its view of the Anapo Valley. It is among these alleys that one discovers the authentic Palatiolum.
Village symbolic of the late baroque age
The disaster of 1693 changed the style of Palazzolo Acreide, thanks to a restoration influenced by a
late baroque style. This important event gave the village the appellation as a symbol of this artistic style.
Prominent works include the churches themselves. La Church of St. Sebastian at People’s Square Is the one that stands out the most. It features a three-order facade embroidered with picturesque statues and squiggles, a remarkable staircase, and a three-aisle interior. From here it only takes a few meters to find yourself under the elegant Baroque balcony of the Judica Palace decorated with grotesque masks of all kinds.
Also the Basilica of St. Paul the Apostle retains a place in the hearts of tourists. Built in honor of the Patron Saint of Palazzolo Acreide, was built after the earthquake on the ruins of the church of St. Sophia. With its three-tier baroque “tower” facade named after Vincenzo Sinatra, presents itself as a masterpiece for art lovers.
Of no less importance we find the Church of the Annunziata, commissioned from Antonello da Messina
in 1474 and rebuilt by Joseph Ferrara. Its structure is characterized on the outside by four twin twisted columns and on the inside by three aisles with a precious marble altar.
Last we mention the Church of the Immaculate Conception with its Carrara marble statue of the Madonna and Child and the Church of St. Michael the Archangel, near the House Museum of Antonino Uccello.
From the Baroque to the Art Nouveau style
In a village famous for its artistic diversity, one certainly cannot miss the Art Nouveau style. We are really talking about the Town Hall Palace in People’s Square, with a classical architectural structure, adorned with art nouveau decorations. Similar motifs and friezes we also find in the Municipal Cemetery 1889.
Palazzolo Acreide’s festivals and events
Palazzolo Acreide’s events are unique. È here that two of the oldest festivities in Sicily, as well as that of the Patron Saint Paul the Apostle on June 28 and 29 and the traditional Palazzolese Carnival.
But not to be missed at all is theAgrimontana, a historic festival dedicated to tradition and good food. The undisputed star is the local gastronomy of the Anapo Valley, with truffle mushrooms, honey, meats and cheeses exclusively km0. There is no shortage of tasty Sicilian zeppole and the typical palazzolese sausage made from the black pig of the iblei.
Not only festivals and folklore, but also theater reviews! In Greek Theater of Akrai is held every year the
International Youth Classical Theater Festival. This is a major event dedicated to drama and comedy, in which young people of all ages present original re-readings of Greek and Latin classics. All this in a magical setting that has remained completely intact despite the many hardships of the past.
Luca Russo