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Randazzo (Catania Province) is 69 km from Catania, alt. 765 m, on the north side of Mt. Etna, between the Rivers Alcantara and Simeto, area 204.8 sq km, with a population of over 11,600, post-code 95036, tel. 095. Economy: agriculture, wine trade.
The town was founded in Byzantine fimes in a territory already settled by the Sicels, and it became important in the 13th and 14th centuries. It was the main stronghold of Peter of Aragon during the War of the Sicilian Vespers, and in 1305, Frederick II of Aragon chose it as his summer residence. It was populated in waves of Greek, Roman, and Lombard immigrants, who until the 16th century spoke three distinct dialects and (until 1916) had three separate cathedrals (each in its own quarter of the town).
The Circumetnea trains change here. One leg goes to Giarre and Riposto (separate stations on this line) while the other goes to a station outside Catania (the stations within Catania for this line are now closed).
Market day on Saturday is large and great fun!
Of interest is the Museo Vagliasindi in Piazza Rabata, the 13th century Porta Aragonese, the Palazzo Scala, the Palazzo Finocchiaro, and the Palazzo Lanza. The Civil Natural Science Museum (Via Beccarini, 2) was created in 1983.
Churches (Acireale Diocese) include the following:
Maria SS. Annunziata (Cattedrale, 13th century)
Beata Maria Vergine del Monte Carmelo
Sacro Cuore di Gesu
S. Francesco di Paola
San Martino (13-14th century)
San Nicolo di Bari (14th century, formerly the Lombard Cathedral)
Nostro Signore Gesu' Cristo Re della Pace (Montelguardia - suburb of Randazzo)
Families researched in these records include the following:Di PasqualeFornitoMangeri
On March 19 is the Festa of San Giuseppe. There is a Procession on Good Friday. In August is the Festa of the Assumption with traditional Sicilian Carts.
Links to sites with more about Randazzo include:
Italian Wikipedia
Italian Towns
Italian Postal Codes
Sicily Web
Randazzo Photos
Randazzo
Catania Provincia
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.
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© Kathy Kirkpatrick 1997-2008
