Menfi (Agrigento Province) is 95 km. from Agrigento, alt. 119 m., on the River Belice, not far from the coast of the Strait of Sicily, area 113.2 sq. km., pop. over 13,200, post-code 92013, tel. 0925. Economy: agriculture (cereals, vegetables, fruit, wine); building materials and mechanical devices; textile handicraft (knitwear)
The oldest part of the town is Arabic in origin, dating from the time when the hamlet of Burgimilluso developed around an Arab fort, a castle that Frederick II of Swabia rebuilt, while the hamlet declined.
The present-day town was founded by Diego Tagliavia Aragona in 1698. In 1968 it was devastated by an earthquake.
Of interest is the Pignatelli palace next to the seriously damaged castle.
Churches (Agrigento Diocese) include the following:
Families researched in these records include the following:
Links to other sites about Menfi 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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