Lercara Friddi was the most important industrial centre in South Italy in the 19th century.
The modern city of Lercara Friddi was founded in 1595 by Spanish. Thanks to the extraction of sulfur in 1828, the economy of this small village radically changed and its trades prospered as well as the population which increased becoming one of the most important industrial centre in South Italy. Lercara Friddi was also called “the Small Palermo”.The closure of the mine in 1969, dealt a serious blow to the economy, forcing lots of people to a mass exodus to other countries definitely abandoning the village.
The most important monuments of the village are:
the Mother Church, dedicated to Maria Santissima della Neve, was built between the 1702 and the 1721 with a Renaissance style;
the Church of San Matteo, built in 1686 has impressive works of art created with a Baroque style;
the Church of S.Antonio di Padova, built in 1688 with a beautiful facade is characterised by a Neo-Gothic style;
the Church of Maria Santissima di Costantinopoli, built in 1840;
the Church of S.Giuseppe, built in the second half of the 18th century by the princess Raffaella Scammacca Buglio with a Neo-Gothic facade and Baroque interior;
the Archaeological area of Colle Madore where it is possible to visit impressive ruins dating back to the 8th and 6th century BC;
the Church of S.Rosalia built in 18th century, The Chapel of S.Francesco d’Assisi, built in 1994;
the Rotolo palace, built in 1877; The Riso-Ferara palace, built in the 19th century; The Romano Palace, built in 18th century;
the Sartorio palace built in 1747; The Palagonia palace built in 1922; Villa Lisetta, built in the 19th century, is characterised by a British architecture; the Public Library includes the Archaeological museum and the historical archive;
Close to the village it is possible to visit the Archaeological site of Colle Madore.
People live here:
6.782
Typical food:
Melincianedde ‘muttunate
It is famous for:
The artist and singer Frank Sinatra;
The politician Gioacchino Germanà;
The mathematician Mauro Picone;
The doctor Alfonso Giordano;
The criminal Lucky Luciano;
Attractions:
Sagra della pantofola, food festival
Sagra della sfincia, food festival
Sagra della cuccia,food festival
My Way Festival, music festival
The Solfare, it is a sulphur area
How to get there:
By Car
From Palermo
Take A19 Palermo-Catania and then continue on S.S. 121- 189 to Agrigento, exit Lercara Friddi.
From Catania
Take A19 Catania-Palermo, exit Caltanissetta, then continue on S.S. 121 to Palermo, exit Lercara Friddi.
From Trapani
Take A29 Trapani-Palermo exit Villabate then continue on S.S. 121-189 exit Lercara Friddi.
Accommodations:
B&B Simo Amour
Villa Giatra Hotel 4*
Country House Casale di Riena
Restaurants:
Sfiziò express
XIII Avieri, 4 90025 Lercara Friddi (PA)
Ph. 091 821 3246
La Tavernetta
Via S. Anna nr. 54, Lercara Friddi, Sicilia, Italia
Ph. 091/8251372
Ristorante Kesia
http://www.ristorantekesia.com/
Da Peppe
Cortile Nicolosi 3, Lercara Friddi, Sicilia, Italia
Ph. 0918251076
Pizzeria la Vittoria
Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 27, Lercara Friddi, Sicilia, Italia
Ph. 0918213600;
Pizzeria Planet
piazza indipendenza n 15 Lercara Friddi
Mobile: 328 778 8373 – 3890564920
Gyros Paradise
Mobile: 320-8828947
Ristorante Margò
Piazza umberto I 90025 Lercara Friddi Sicilia, Italia
Mobile: +39 329 456 7452
Beaches:
Trabia
Campofelice di Roccella
Termini imerese
Porto Empedocle
Siculiana marina