Sciacca > Itinerary 2

Sciacca is a sunny coastal town well known for its thermal springs, handpainted ceramics and , its beautiful beaches and its Carnival: one of the most colourful in Sicily. The Greeks from Selinunte already appreciated Sciacca as a thermal resort and the baths remained popular with the Romans, who gave Sciacca the name of “Thermae Selinuntinae”. The modern name derives from the Arabian As-Saggah, which means “cleft”, possibly because the town is located in a valley between two hills. In medieval times, Sciacca fortified itself with walls, gates, and bastions. The Mother Church, dedicated to Our Lady of Rescue (Maria SS. del Soccorso), is an imposing structure that embodies the city’s rich history. Although its origins are Norman, the church blends various architectural styles, from medieval and Renaissance elements to the Baroque facade, which remains unfinished. Besides the beautiful statue of the Madonna del Soccorso – beloved and highly celebrated patroness of the city – the Mother Church holds many precious works of art. It also houses the MUDIA–Diocesan Museum of Sciacca: a true treasure trove of sacred art spanning centuries. Throughout its millennia-long history, Sciacca was further enriched with monuments that still adorn the historic center, like the 16th-century Steripinto Palace. This building showcases a striking facade with faceted blocks, a rare design reminiscent of the Palazzo dei Diamanti in Ferrara and certain plateresque-style palaces in Barcelona.

Though little remains of the Norman castle, the majestic Castello Luna still rises atop a promontory at the city’s edge. Built in the late 14th century by the noble Peralta family, the castle later passed to the Luna family through marriage. Among Sciacca’s many notable churches, in addition to the Mother Church, don’t miss the Church of San Nicolò la Latina, which displays unmistakable Norman features, or the Church of Santa Margherita, founded in 1342 during the Chiaramonte era, a magnificent blend of architectural styles.

On Mount Kronio, the magnificent 16th-century Sanctuary of San Calogero stands proudly beside a recently reopened Nature Reserve, a complex of caves of natural, archaeological, and therapeutic interest due to the beneficial underground vapors. From the Sanctuary, visitors can enjoy a spectacular view: on clear days, one can gaze out across the vast expanse of sea and even catch sight of Cape Bon. At the foot of Mount Kronio—also known as Mount San Calogero—lies the “Enchanted Castle,” an intriguing open-air museum nestled among almond and olive trees. Here, hundreds of faces carved in stone emerge from the landscape, the unique creations of a local artist and farmer, Filippo Bentivegna. After a complex and somewhat eccentric life, Bentivegna passed away in the 1960s, leaving behind this remarkable legacy of original artwork.