Mussomeli

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Comune di Mussomeli
Municipal coat of arms
Country	Italy
Region	Sicily
Province	Caltanissetta (CL)
Mayor	Calogero Valenza (since June 11, 2002)

Elevation	650 m
Area	161 km²
Population
- Total (as of January 31, 2004)	11,354
- Density	70/km²
Time zone	CET, UTC+1
Coordinates	37°35′N 13°45′E
Gentilic	Mussomelesi
Dialing code	0934
Postal code	93014
Frazioni	Mappa, Polizzello
Patron	Madonna of the Miracles
- Day	September 8
Website: www.comune.mussomeli.cl.it

Mussomeli (Sicilian: Mussumeli) is a town in the province of Caltanissetta, Sicily, Italy.

The Castle of Mussomeli.

[edit] History

Mussomeli was founded in the 14th century by Manfredo III Chiaramonte with the name Manfredi, but later the current name, probable of Arab origin, was reimposed. In 1549 it became a county under the Lanza family. A feast is held every September for the Madonna of the Miracles.

In the early 20th century numerous townspeople emigrated to America, many to Buffalo, NY, where a similar feast is also held every year.

[edit] Main sights

The Chiaramonte Castle, built in 1370 in Norman-Gothic style. It stands on a high crag at 778 meters, 2 km outside the town. It has large halls, dungeons and torture cells, and a chapel with a precious alabaster depicting the Madonna dell Catena (1516). Near the castle are the ruins of a Greek-Italic village.
The Chiesa della Madonna dei Miracoli (Church of Our Lady of the Miracles)
The Chiesa Madre of San Ludovico (14th century). It was restored along Baroque lines in the 17th century.
The Renaissance church of San Francesco.
The 17th Palazzo Trabìa, with a noteworthy art gallery.
The church of St. Anthony (16th century)