Palagonia (Catania Province) is 47 km from Catania, alt. 200 m, in the hills south of the Plain of Catania, on the torrent Catalfaro, area 57.7 sq km. Its population is just over 16,600, post-code 95046, tel. 095. Economy: agriculture (citrus fruit, etc.), stock farming, foodstuffs, plastics, etc.; ferruginous springs.

The modern town is of Norman origin and belonged first to the Bishop of Siracusa and then had various overlords, including Admiral Ruggero di Lauria and the Gravina family who became the Princes of Palagonia in 1629. In this territory, in 453 BC, Ducetius, King of the Sicels, founded the city of Palice, the capital of the kingdom, which rebelled against Greek domination.

Of interest is the rock hermitage of Santa Febronia (5th-6th century) outside of town.

Churches (Caltagirone Diocese) include the following:

San Pietro (Chiesa Madre)

Immacolata Concezione

San Giuseppe

Santa Maria di Trapani

On June 25 is the Festa of San Febronia. There is a Procession on the Monday and Tuesday after Easter here.

Links to sites with more about Palagonia include:

Palagonia

Palagonia Photos

Catania Provincia

Italian Wikipedia

Italian Towns

Italian Postal Codes

Sicily Web

Sicilia

Sicilian Net

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.