CHIUSA
SCLAFANI
Chiusa
Sclafani stands in the Palermo province on a slope at about 660m
height, near the Serra dell’Omo Morto district. It has a total
population of 3,700.
It
was founded in the early 1300s by the Count Matteo Sclafani, and
was successively ruled by Guglielmo I Peraltra, the Cardonas, the
Gioenis and, finally, the Colonna family, who held it as far as
the Feudalism was abolished in 1812.
The
1800’s Palazzo Bonfiglio and the remnants of a 1300’s
castle now incorporated by other buildings, are the main attractions.
Several
religious buildings are equally interesting. The Chiesa Madre dedicated
to Saint Nicholas of Bari, is the result of various building phases.
The original building dates back to the 14th century, while the
remaining part goes back to the late 1700’s and early 1800’s.
The interior is ornamented with fine works such as three 1600’s
panels representing the Annunciation, the Adoration of the Magi
and the Transfiguration.
The
Chiesa di Santa Caterina contains a fine 1500’s tryptich depicting
the Madonna and Child with Saints.
The
Badia delle Benedettine is a religious complex with a lovely Baroque
portal. It comprises the former Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata
and the 1600’s monastery of the Olivetan Benedictine Fathers.
The
city surroundings provide sites for interesting excursions such
as the small village of San Carlo, at 239m a.s.l. in proximity to
the Sosio river, with the renowned Rupe di Acristia containing the
remains of an ancient fortification.
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