Mussomeli (Caltanissetta Province) is 60 km. from Caltanissetta, alt. 726 m., on the slopes of Monte San Vito, in the River Platani Valley, area 164 sq.km., pop. 11,644, post-code 93014, tel. 0934. Economy is agriculture, livestock, small foodstuff, cement, and bitumen industries.
The town was founded in the second half of the 14th century by Manfredi III Chiaromonte. The fief of various families, in 1549 it became a possession of the Lanzas, who obtained the title of Counts.
The modern name is probably of Arab origin, possibly referring to an ancient hamlet, and it was first used in the 15th century, instead of Manfredi, the original name given to the town by its founder.
The town stands in a picturesque position the slope of a hill.
Of interest: Baron's Palace (18th century); Collegio di Maria; Palazzo Trabia (late 17th century); Castello dei Chiaromonte (1370); a Greco-Italic village can be seen near the castle; and early Bronze Age settlement is situated on the mountain of Polizzello, northest of Mussomeli.
Churches (Caltanissetta Diocese) include the following:
Families researched in these records include the following:
Links to other sites about Mussomeli 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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