Butera (Caltanissetta Province) is 60 km from Caltanissetta, alt. 402 m, on the first hills north of the Plain of Gela, area 297.04 sq km, pop. 5,639, post-code 93011, tel. 0934. Agricultural economy: cereals, citrus fruit, carobs, almonds and fruit.
The territory has been settled since prehistoric times; the indigenous center (Onphake or Maktorion) was subjected to Gela until the Hellenistic age.
In about 854 it was conquered by the Arabs who promoted the development of the village around the castle.
The Normans assigned Butera to the Lombards who in 1161 provoked the destruction of the town by their rebellion against William the Bad (1161).
William II the Good rebuilt the town which at the end of the 14th century became a fief of the Santapan family, of Catalan origin. In 1540 the town became the property of the Brancifortes, who were the first to obtain the title of Princes of Butera, in 1563.
Of interest: the castle.
Churches (Piazza Armerina Diocese) include the following:
Links to other sites about Butera include:
My latest book on CD is titled Sicily - A Reference for Researchers and is now available. With a file for each town (plus many other files), it relates the history of Sicily as reflected in the photos, records and festivals of its towns. It contains over 2500 text and photo files and can be ordered at CD order.
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