PIANA
DEGLI ALBANESI
Around
the half of the 15th century, when the Balkans were taken over by
the Turks, groups of local communities set out for Italy settling
in Molise and Puglia regions. Towards the mid-16th century, an Albanian
condottiere was called by Alphonse of Aragon to put down some local
revolts; his troops settled in the Southern Italy, notably in Galaoria,
and eventually in Sicily, in Piana degli Albanesi, where they were
warmly welcomed by residents and allowed to practice their own Greek-Orthodox
religion. The Catholic church granted them an ever-greater administrative
and religious autonomy, what enabled them to maintain their traditions,
language and literature. One of the major Albanian communities in
Italy is today right centred in Piana degli Albanesi, that although
completely integrated within the local population, retains their
own ancient traditions, especially during religious festivals. The
main season comes with Epiphany (twelve days after Christmas), then
celebrations are completed with all the pomp and majesty of the
Eastern Byzantine church complete with re-enactment of the Baptism
of Christ; while at Easter, the locals wear their most splendid
costumes typically embroidered with gold and silver before pouring
out onto the main street and rallying before the churches of Santa
Maria Odigitria, San Giorgio (not far away but actually in Via Barbato)
and San Demetrio, the town’s main church. Outward signs of
their heritage belie the surface, however, at all times in the local
dialect they speak and in the Greek Orthodox masses they celebrate;
even the road signs and street names are inscribed in two languages.
The town itself has another name, Hora, meaning ‘the town’.
A
short way south-west is a lovely artificial lake nestling silently
amidst lushly green countryside; a view of this beautiful site can
be enjoyed from the Basilian monastery just above the town.
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Palermo
Alia
Alimena
Alimusa
Altavilla Milicia
Altofonte
Bagheria
Balestrate
Baucina
Belmonte Mezzagno
Bisacquino
Blufi
Bolognetta
Bompietro
Borgetto
Caccamo
Caltavuturo
Campofelice Di Fitalia
Campofelice Di Roccella
Campofiorito
Camporeale
Capaci
Carini
Castelbuono
Casteldaccia
Castellana Sicula
Castelnuovo Di Sicilia
Castronovo Di Sicilia
Cefalà
Cefalù
Cerda
Chiusa Sclafani
Ciminnà
Cinisi
Collesano
Contessa Entellina
Corleone
Ficarazzi
Gangi
Geraci Siculo
Giardinello
Giuliana
Godrano
Gratteri
Isnello
Isola Delle Femmine
Lascari
Lercara Friddi
Marineo
Mezzojuso
Misilmeri
Monreale
Montelepre
Montemaggiore Belsito
Palazzo Adriano
Partinico
Petralia Soprana
Petralia Sottana
Piana Degli Albanesi
Polizzi Generosa
Pollina
Prizzi
Roccamena
Roccapalumba
San Cipirello
San Giuseppe Iato
San Mauro Castelverde
Santa Cristina Gela
Santa Flavia
Sciara
Scillato
Sclafani Bagni
Termini Imerese
Terrasini
Torretta
Trabia
Trappeto
Ustica
Valledolmo
Ventimiglia Di Sicilia
Vicari
Villabate
Villafrati
Isola
di Ustica
Monti Madonie
Bosco Della Ficuzza
Mondello
Porticello
San Martino Delle Scale
Solunto
Solanto
Scavi Del Monte Jato
Testi
© Studio
Scivoletto e Michelin Italia. Le foto sono di proprietà
dei rispettivi autori. Ogni riproduzione non autorizzata verrà
perseguita a norma di legge.
 
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