Regalbuto (
Latin
Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...
: Ameselum;
Sicilian: ''Regarbutu'') is a ''
comune
A (; : , ) is an administrative division of Italy, roughly equivalent to a township or municipality. It is the third-level administrative division of Italy, after regions () and provinces (). The can also have the City status in Italy, titl ...
'' in the
province of Enna,
Sicily
Sicily (Italian language, Italian and ), officially the Sicilian Region (), is an island in the central Mediterranean Sea, south of the Italian Peninsula in continental Europe and is one of the 20 regions of Italy, regions of Italy. With 4. ...
, southern
Italy
Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...
.
There is an annual cattle fair held in the month of August.
History
Regalbuto may be the ancient town of
Amaselos, which was named by the Greek and Sicilian historian
Diodorus Siculus in his ''Bibliotheca historica'' (Historical Library) writings.
The name Regalbuto derives from the Arab term ''Rahal Abbud'', "Abbud's farmhouse". Discoveries at the site include the old Saracen quarter.
Around 1200, the inhabitants of the nearby town of
Centuripe, who rebelled against the Swabian dynasty whom Regalbuto had been faithful to, destroyed Regalbuto. Years later, King Manfred had the town rebuilt at its present site.
In 1860, a number of members of parliament met in Regalbuto with
Garibaldi to discuss a truce during the
Campaign of 1860.
The town was never subject to fiscal taxes, and a free magistracy elected by the king and the archbishops of Messina governed it. The town was severely damaged during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, and on August 3, 1943 the Pionier Battalion of
Hermann Göring Panzer Division, supported by tanks and self-propelled guns was forced to cede the town, after four days of bitter fighting by the 1st Infantry Brigade of 1st Canadian Infantry Division. The current inhabited center was reconstructed only recently.
Main sights
* ''
Chiesa Madre San Basilio'' (Mother Church of Saint Basil) dedicated to
Saint Basil, which was built on the site of a 16th-century building and preserving a luxurious 10 meter altar dedicated to
Saint Vitus. It has a
Baroque
The Baroque ( , , ) is a Western Style (visual arts), style of Baroque architecture, architecture, Baroque music, music, Baroque dance, dance, Baroque painting, painting, Baroque sculpture, sculpture, poetry, and other arts that flourished from ...
façade with a pyramid shaped bell tower.
* ''
Santa Maria della Croce'': 15th-century church with a Baroque staircase
* ''
San Giovanni'':18th-century church with a large bell
loggia
*Town hall (''Palazzo Municipale'', 18th century)
*Remains of the 13th-century castle:
*''Palazzo Citelli-Fascaro'' (17th century)
*''Palazzo Falcone'' (17th century)
*''Palazzo Campagnini'' in
Liberty Style
*''Palazzo Carchiolo''
In the city environs are sites of naturalistic interest like the Pozzillo Lake district, one of Europe's largest man-made lakes, fed by the
Salso River. Mountains include the Monte Mascari (), north of the lake, and, also in the lake vicinity, the Monte Salici ().
Economy
The economy is based on agriculture, including cereals, citrus, and olives. Animal husbandry includes cattle, sheep, and goats.
References
Municipalities of the Province of Enna
13th-century disestablishments in Italy
{{Sicily-geo-stub