Mussomeli
Mussomeli (Mussumeli in Sicilian) is a town in the province of Caltanissetta, Sicily, Italy.
History
Mussomeli was founded in the 14th century by Manfredo III Chiaramonte with the name Manfredi, but later the current name, probable of Arab origin, was reimposed. In 1549 it became a county under the Lanza family. A feast is held every September for the Madonna of the Miracles.
In the early 20th century numerous townspeople emigrated to America, many to Buffalo, NY, where a similar feast is also held every year. Many townpeople also emigrated to the UK, to London and Woking, Surrey where the Maddona dei Miracoli (Madonna of Miracles) is celebrated every July. The most common surname in Mussomeli is Messina. Mussomelis most famous resident was the mafioso Giuseppe Genco Russo (1893-1976), he was town councillor of Mussomeli and at one point the Capo di tutti capi
Main sights
- The Chiaramonte Castle, built in 1370 in Norman-Gothic style. It stands on a high crag at 778 meters, 2 km outside the town. It has large halls, dungeons and torture cells, and a chapel with a precious alabaster depicting the Madonna dell Catena (1516). Near the castle are the ruins of a Greek-Italic village.
- The Chiesa della Madonna dei Miracoli (Church of Our Lady of the Miracles)
- The Chiesa Madre of San Ludovico (14th century). It was restored along Baroque lines in the 17th century.
- The Renaissance church of San Francesco.
- The 17th Palazzo Trabìa, with a noteworthy art gallery