Carini

Carini is a fascinating ancient village which offers incredible and charming cultural attractions.

Carini, once called Hyccara, was founded by Siculi, but it became an even more important town during the Phoenician domination. When Romans conquered the area, this tiny village achieved great importance due to its new cultivations and trades. In 1072, Normans battled the Roman troops, conquering the area where they built the famous Castle of Carini.
Today this amazing village offers incredible and charming cultural attractions such as:
The Mother Church, dedicated to Maria SS. Assunta, built in 15^th century with a Latin Cross plan and three naves including impressive Sicilian masterpieces dating back to the 16^th and 18^thcentury. The Church of the Agonizzanti, built in the 17^th century, with a Sicilian Baroque style. The Church of Rosario is a very huge building with a large and charming courtyard. The Church of Carmine built in 16^th century has a wonderful cloister and impressive works of art dating back to the 17^th century. The Church of Santa Caterina depicts frescos made by Giuseppe Testa. The Church of San Giuseppe has impressive wooden statues made by the artist Bagnasco. Thanks to its impressive amphitheatre and an auditorium Villa Belvedere, built in 1546, provides several events and festival during Summer. The Castle La Grua Talamanca of Carini was built in the 12^th century by Roger Bonello on the ruins of an Arab building. It is characterised by a large hall with arches and Corinthian columns, a chapel with a precious vault with Trompe l’oeil frescos and evocative marble sculptures.
Close to Carini there are two interesting natural areas: the Grotta dei Puntali Nature Reserve, created in 2001 to protect the area of limestone dating back to the Bronze age; and the Grotta di Carburangeli Nature Reserve, established in 1995 and managed by Legambiente. Here it is possible to visit the Cave of Carburangeli from which there have been many impressive archaeological findings including fossils of small elephants and artifacts from prehistoric times.