Castelbuono (Palermo Province) is 91 km. from Palermo, alt. 423 m., on the slopes of the Milocca hill, in the northern Madonie, area 60.5 sq. km., pop. over 10,000, post-code 90013, tel. 0921. Economy: industry (knitwear), agriculture.
The territory was inhabited in ancient times by the Sicans. In Byzantine times the township of Ypsigro ("cool Place") developed here, in Norman times it was a fief of the Counts of Geraci. In 1316 Francesco I Ventimiglia built the Castle on the San Pietro hill and went to live there. The town developed all around the castle, and this is the origin of its name, Castelbuono ("good castle").
Of interest is the Civil Museum in Piazza Margherita. From there, up the via Sant'Anna, is the Castle.
In July, the Medieval Tournament of the Ventimiglia family is celebrated with chivalrous games in Geraci, Castelbuono, and Gangi.
Churches (Cefalu Diocese) include the following:
Families researched in those records include the following:
Links to other sites about Castelbuono 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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