The most beautiful villages in Sicily: Salemi
Discovering one of the most beautiful villages in Sicily and Italy. Salemi is a corner of history that enchants with its landscape, crossroads of cultures, and lifestyle all to savor. In addition, it holds an undiscovered curiosity.
What to see in Salemi
With nearly ten thousand inhabitants and about 440 meters above sea level, Salemi is located in the province of Trapani on the slopes of the Mount of the Roses and surrounded by the vines and olive groves of the Belice Valley. The historic center is all a crossroads of narrow streets, alleys, and steep stairways that lead to discover the beauty of the city. Like the striking Alicia Square, where there are the symbols of the village: namely the Castle, with three towers and of Norman origin, and the remains of the Cathedral, destroyed in the sixty-eight earthquake. There are about twenty-five churches in Salemi: in addition to the aforementioned cathedral, a real gem turns out to be the Church of St. Clement, also known as Church of Sant’Annedda, inside which there are fourteen eighteenth-century canvases depicting sacred scenes. Giudecca e Rabato result respectively in the Jewish and Arab quarters that fully shape the historic center of this city, which has become a paradigm of multiculturalism. The ancient buildings are strictly built in the local
campanedda stone, which was even included in the UNESCO intangible heritage register in 2012.
The “city of breads,” between history and curiosities
The historical, artistic and cultural heritage have enabled the city of Salemi to be included in 2016 within the club of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Did you know that this gem was the first capital of the Bel Paese? Yes, Garibaldi had the tricolor waved within hours of having accomplished Unification. It all lasted only a day, but the document attesting to this historical boast is still treasured today inside the city’s museum complex. Those who enter Salemi cannot help but be drawn to the smell of bread that wafts throughout the village. Not surprisingly, it has been nicknamed the city of breads, due to the traditional processing of this good linked to the religious festival of the patron saint, St. Nicholas of Bari and to that of St. Joseph. This tradition has pagan origins and is renewed today with the preparation of breads in a wide variety of shapes (flowers, animals and fruit).
Salemi and New York: an overseas connection
What does the city of Salemi have to do with the city of New York? By what kind of connection can these two very different realities be united? It was 2009 when Kim Yong-man Kim donated his collection of VHS and DVD films to the Sicilian town. Now in the Big Apple, at the Kim Center, there will be a space dedicated to Salemi, where it will be told through brochures and photos. The goal, of course, remains to promote the natural and artistic excellence of the Salemese village. “Today we lay the foundation stone of a new path together –
Mayor Domenico Venuti said.“Giving Salemi an important showcase in the U.S. and fielding ideas and projects that can increase the city’s tourism appeal.” On the other hand, to return the favor, among the many projects included in the Salem township is to organize a film festival Dedicated to the collection of the king of VHS. A fair exchange that propels Salemi overseas.
Davide Donnarumma
Top photo by Giuseppe Gucciardi