Contessa Entellina (Palermo Province) is 78 km. from Palermo, alt. 571 m., on the northern face of Monte Genuardo, in the upper basin of the Belice River, area 136.4 sq. km., pop. over 2,000, post-code 90030, tel. 091. Agriultural economy.
It was founded in 1450 on the site of an ancient hamlet, the existance of which was recorded on the 14th century by Greek-Albanian(Arberesh) immigrants coming from Bisiri, near Mazara. The inhabitants have maintained their Albanian dialect and traditional costumes.
The town was originally known as Contessa, possibly referring to Caterina Cadorna, Countess of Chiusa in the 14th century. In 1875, the name Entellina was added to recall the ancient Elymian city of Entella which stood nearby until it was destroyed by Frederick II in 1224.
Churches (Piana degli Albanesi Diocese) include the following:
Families researched in those records include the following:
Links to other sites about Contessa Entellina include:
My latest book on CD is titled Sicily, Part 1 and Part 2 is now available on 2 CDs. 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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