Altofonte (Palermo Province) is 11 km. from Palermo, alt. 350 m., on the northern slopes of Monte La Moarda, overlooking the Oreto valley, area 35.3 sq. km., pop. over 8800, post-code 90030, tel. 091. Agricultural economy: citrus fruit, almonds, olives, grapes.
This was a residence and hunting ground of the kings of Sicily, so it was called "Parco" (park) until 1930. Roger II built a palace here, where Peter II of Aragon was later born. In 1307, Frederick of Aragon gave the park and the palace to the Cistercians, who transformed it into a convent, called the Convento di Santa Maria d'Altofonte, because of the abundance of springs in the upper part of the village (Altofonte = high spring).
Of interest is the Palazzo del Parco.
Churches (Monreale Diocese) include the following:
Families researched in these records include the following:
Links to other sites about Altofonte include:
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