Santa Flavia: Sea, Solunto and Sicilian History

Santa Flavia is a small seaside village with a distinctly seafaring character. For you, this means a place where maritime themes, archaeological history and religious traditions add different accents to your Sicily trip.

Sant’Elia and the Character of the Coast

Sant’Elia is a district of Santa Flavia, a few kilometres from Palermo. The small seaside village lies on the bay of the same name, around which colourful houses are grouped. This gives the coastal landscape its own immediately recognisable local character. Santa Flavia and Sant’Elia particularly appeal to travellers who, alongside historical sights, are looking for a maritime atmosphere and established settlement patterns.

Solunto: Phoenician Beginnings and Ancient Urban Planning

Solunto is located near Santa Flavia, east of Palermo. When the Greeks arrived in Sicily, Solunto was one of the three centres where the Phoenicians settled. The archaeological site comprises the Hellenistic-Roman settlement, which was re-founded on nearby Monte Catalfano after the destruction of the former coastal centre. The re-foundation on Monte Catalfano therefore took place at a different location after the destruction of the former coastal centre.

Particularly impressive is Solunto’s regular Hippodamian urban layout. Three north-south axes are crossed at right angles by eight east-west streets.

Villas, Baroque and Historic Sites

The Villa Filangeri and the Basilica Soluntina each display different architectural styles.

The Antiquarium di Solunto is located at Via Collegio Romano in 90017 Santa Flavia (PA). The Villa Filangeri houses Liberty-style frescoes, while the Basilica Soluntina is an example of late Sicilian Baroque. Different periods and styles thus come together: ancient settlement history, decorative villa architecture and sacred Baroque.

Villa Valdina was built around a 16th-century tower and preserves works by Novelli. In the area of Solunto’s ancient harbour there is also a 12th-century Rocca. A Gothic castle belonging to the Princes of San Vincenzo is located there as well. These sites expand Santa Flavia’s historical picture to include medieval and early modern traces.

Necropolis and Religious Traditions

The necropolis of Solunto stretches across the Contrada Campofranco north of the archaic settlement. Part of it lies on the edge of Santa Flavia’s built-up centre.

The celebration of Madonna del Lume in Santa Flavia includes a traditional procession at sea towards Capo Zafferano. At the patronal celebration of Madonna del Lume in Porticello, the novena begins as early as the end of September; the celebration culminates on the first Sunday in October. The procession in Santa Flavia remains focused on the sea, while the festivities in Porticello run from the end of September to the first Sunday in October. Secca della Formica can also be reached by boat.

Other Places

Other places: Geraci Siculo, Cefalù, Caccamo, Monreale, Lascari, Torretta, Ginestra, Pollina

To the higher-level travel overview: Palermo.