Belmonte Mezzagno between Church Art, Karst and Sicilian Tradition

Belmonte Mezzagno combines a settlement history dating back to the 13th century with religious traditions and an underground karst landscape. The earliest documented references presumably describe the place at that time as a noble fief inhabited by farmers at the present-day Piazza Martiri d’Ungheria, under the name “U bagghiu”. In 1752, Giuseppe Emanuele Ventimiglia received the “licentia populandi” for Belmonte Mezzagno.

Local History and Church Art

The Chiesa Madre – SS. Crocifisso is part of the town’s history. It was built between 1752 and 1756 by Prince Giuseppe Emanuele Ventimiglia. The church houses a large crucifix created around 1772 at the instigation of Giuseppe Emanuele Ventimiglia; there are also two paintings attributed to the school of Pietro Novelli.

Religious Traditions Throughout the Year

The religious calendar includes several fixed dates. The feast of the SS. Crocifisso, the patron saint of Belmonte Mezzagno, takes place on the second Sunday in September. On Easter Day, the religious congregations organise the traditional “Incontro” between the Blessed Virgin Mary and the risen Christ; they have been part of the local religious community since 1810. A local tradition takes residents to Pizzo Belmonte every year on 3 May, also known as Santa Croce, to commemorate the Passion of Jesus Christ. On 4 October, the blessing of animals in honour of San Francesco is part of the religious calendar.

Water and Evolving Local History

The Stagnone is also known as the Museo dell’Acqua and is dedicated to Paolo Borsellino. It is a large water reservoir built to remedy the water shortage affecting the population of Belmonte Mezzagno.

Monte Grifone and the Karst Landscape

The landscape includes the Natura 2000 site, or SCI ITA020044 Monte Grifone. It comprises Contrada Valle dei Muli, also known as Valle di Belmonte, as well as other areas within the municipality of Belmonte Mezzagno. Monte Grifone is also a mountain in the surrounding area. Parts of the site feature special vegetation with numerous endemic or rare plant species of significance from a phytogeographical perspective, as well as rare or endangered wild vertebrates.

Caves at Pizzo Neviera

Below the surface lies a karst landscape with numerous caves. They develop predominantly vertically and along the main tectonic discontinuities. The most important caves in the area are located on the ridge of Pizzo Neviera at an altitude of around 850 metres: Grotta delle Sette Camere, Grotta dei Laghetti, Zubbio di Pizzo Neviera, Zubbietto di Pizzo Neviera and Pozzo Fiandra. The caves contain stalactites, stalagmites, eccentric sinter formations and calcareous sinter deposits.

Destinations in the Surrounding Area

The area around Belmonte Mezzagno offers a variety of cultural and natural attractions. Castello di Maredolce is a castle. The Ecomuseo Mare Memoria Viva, the Museo di Mineralogia and the Museo di Zoologia Doderlein are museums in the surrounding area. The beaches Spiaggia Roccella and Spiaggia di Brancaccio are also located there. Parco Monte Catalfano is a zoo in the vicinity of Belmonte Mezzagno.

Sicilian Milling History

Another facet of the town’s history is the Antico Molino Piraino. The mill was brought to Belmonte Mezzagno in 1922, opened in 1928 and remained in operation until the 1960s. One project of the Antico Molino Piraino involves reviving an old stone mill there to produce flour from ancient Sicilian grain varieties.

Further Destinations for Orientation

Gratteri, Ciminna, Masseria D'amari, Cerda, Santa Flavia, Bagheria, Corleone and Lascari

For the higher-level travel overview: Palermo.