Caltabellotta is a small village, 17 km far from the sea and Sciacca which is the next bigger town, situated like in a large, natural shell in the mountains of the Sicilian Southwest coast. The 870 m altitude guarantees fresh temperatures also in highest summer, and the phantastic view to the olive groves, the fields and the far sea below  is simply amazing, a very special combination of mountains and sea close together.

The places Caltabellotta and Siacca offer the best conditions for your holidays. Situated on the south coast, they

are the perfect localities for visits to the most beautiful cultural monuments of the western part of the island.

maps

distances

how to find us

surroundings

beaches

restaurants

events

Sciacca

Caltabellotta map

The Eastern Part of the Island

Distance from Caltabellotta:

Sciacca 15km;

Selinunte ca. 30 km;

Eraclea Minoa ca. 25 km;

the temple valley of Agrigento

ca. 50 km;

Segesta ca. 75 km;

Monreale ca. 75 km;

Erice ca. 75 km
Palermo and airport ca.100 km

From Palermo:

Autostrada A29 to Mazzara del Vallo-Trapani, exit Castelvetrano.  Highway SS 115 in direction of Agrigento-Selinunte-Sciacca. At the traffic light (the only one on the highway), follow the traffic signs to Caltabellotta

From Catania:

Autostrada A19 to Palermo, exit Caltanisetta, Highway in direction of Agrigento-Selinunte-Sciacca. After Ribera follow the traffic signs to  St.Anna-Caltabellotta.

The village of Caltabellotta is situated on the walls of the ancient Triocala, laid down like in a natural shell on the south side mountains, which, in some parts, remind the visitor of the Dolomites formations. From the small town there is a stunning view of the villages below, orange- and olive groves and at last the view of the sea up to the horizon, which strikes each guest.

The fresh and dry climate in summer and the incredible abundance of its mountain flora in spring make part of the particular charm of Caltabellotta.
 

Country Italy
Region Sicily
Province Province of Agrigento (AG)


Elevation 949 m (3,114 ft)
Area 123.6 km² (48 sq mi)
Population (as of Dec. 2004)
- Total 4,311
- Density 35/km² (91/sq mi)
Time zone CET, UTC+1
Coordinates 37°35′N, 13°13′E
Gentilic caltabellottesi
Dialing code 0925
Postal code 92010
Frazioni Sant'Anna

Caltabellotta is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Agrigento in the Italian region Sicily, located about

60 km south of Palermo and about 45 km northwest of Agrigento. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population

of 4,311 and an area of 123.6 km².[1]

The municipality of Caltabellotta contains the frazione (subdivision) Sant'Anna.

Caltabellotta borders the following municipalities: Bisacquino, Burgio, Calamonaci, Chiusa Sclafani, Giuliana,

Ribera, Sambuca di Sicilia, Sciacca, Villafranca Sicula.

beaches at 17 km (ca. 25 min. by car) far from Caltabellotta

Menfi—Porto Palo

(ca. 20 km) - equipped,

bars, restaurants

Right side of Sciacca

Sovereto — not equipped

Timpi russi — not equipped

San Giorgio — equipped

Tre Sirene — equipped

Left side of Sciacca

San Marco—equipped

Renella – not equipped

Lido — not equipped

Eraclea Minoa

(ca. 20 km) - equipped,

bars, restaurants

• M.A.T.E.S.: best Sicilian food in typical atmosphere, simply delicious

• La Ferla: here you find the famous lamb chops, pasta with aubergine and tomatoes...

• Conte Luna: typical Sicilian food and finest pizza

• Le Caprice: pizza, pizza, pizza

• Villa Venere: tasty menù, pasta and pizza

• San Pellegrino: good food and pizza

• Il Giardino del Gusto: lots of pizza

• La Montagna: typical food and cheese in very special surroundings

• Presepe Vivente - Christmas event, 5-6 days during Christmas time to New Year in the oldest part of the village with lots of actors, showing the past in a unique way and living it in an inimitable atmosphere

• La Pasqua - a very particular and unique way to celebrate Easter (from Palm Sunday to Easter Monday) with very antique uses like the "Exit of San Michele", based on archaic Greek roots, fire works and much more

• Festa della Madonna - 5 days of religious festival in onour of the madonna with messes, processions, concerts, fairs, exhibitions and shows (last weekend of July)

• San Pellegrino - 3 days festival with messes, processions, traditional cattle fair, concerts, fire works and shows in and close to the ancient abbey of San Pellegrino where the saint has beated the dragon (around the 18th of August)

• August - several open air festivals with music, theatre and else

 Sciacca is one of the most ancient towns of the island.

The present charming image of the town is characterized by the picturesque fishing port and the typical Mediterranean centre with its monuments from the various colonial ages. Splendid beaches and many small bays invite anybody to dive into the limpid sea.

Thermae was founded in the 5th century BCE by the Greeks, as its name imports, as a thermal spa for Selinunte, whose citizens came there to bathe in the sulphurous springs of Mt. Kronio, which rises up behind the town. We have no account of the existence of a town on the site during the period of the independence of Selinunte, though there is little doubt that the thermal waters would always have attracted some population to the spot. Nor even   under the Romans did the place attain to anything like the same importance with the northern Thermae; and there   is little doubt that Pliny is mistaken in assigning the rank of a colonia to the southern instead of the northern town    of the name. Strabo mentions the waters (τὰ ὕδατα τὰ Σελινούντια, Strab. vi. p. 275); and they are again noticed    in the Itineraries under the name of Aquae Labodes or Labrodes (Itin. Ant. p. 89; Tab. Peut.)

Sciacca itself owes its origins to the Saracens, who settled there in the 9th century. Although the origins of the town's name have been much debated, it is thought to have come from the Arabic word "xacca", meaning "water". The Saracens built the original walls and laid out the street grid, which was later expanded by the Normans. Throughout much of the Middle Ages, the town was at the center of a bloody feud between rival baronial families  and, it was the citizenry that bore the brunt of the fighting; in less than 100 years over half the population was     killed by one side or the other.

Country Italy
Region Sicily
Province Agrigento (AG)
Mayor Mario Turturici (since June 28, 2004)

Elevation 60 m (197 ft)
Area 190 km² (73 sq mi)
Population (as of March 12, 2007)
- Total 45,000
- Density 237/km² (614/sq mi)
Time zone CET, UTC+1
Coordinates 37°31′N, 13°05′E
Gentilic Saccensi
Dialing code 0925
Postal code 92019

Patron Maria SS. del Soccorso
- Day February 2

Sciacca still retains much of its medieval layout, which divided the town into quarters, each laid out on a strip of   rock descending toward the sea.

Sciacca's big festival is Carnevale, celebrated during the week before the beginning of Lent (February). The    highlight of the festival is the parade of bizarre figures mounted on floats, famous throughout Italy for their          gaudy expressions