Solarino, Sicilian town in the province of Syracuse, has a long history of several centuries, sinking and confuses its roots in the legendary visit to San Paolofece 'oppidum site near the present town, [1] during his stay in Syracuse in 61 AD [2]
Historically, however, the village was founded in the eighteenth century.

The origins

The necropolis of Cava Rivettazzo the first evidence of human presence in the territory solarinese

While the first form of human settlement in the area dates back alPaleolitico top (third millennium BC), as may be inferred from the discovery of a necropolis in the locality Cava Rivettazzo, 4 km (1 km as the crow flies) approximately, north today's urban center, by Paolo Orsi in the early '900; the first settlement of which there are traces, however, is much more recent and covers the period greek going from fourth to third century BC, as shown by archaeological excavations, a few kilometers to the east of the country, in places Cozzo Collura , the site identified as the Well of the Church, flat area and, in the past, infested by malaria.

The Pozzo di San Paolo in Cozzo Collura, solarinese first settlement dating back to the greek

The first official news on Solarino, however, you have only since 1296, the year in which it appears, in the role of the feudal lords synthesized by De Spucches [3], as baronial feud of Syracuse Gutierre de Nava. After several changes of ownership, December 15, 1656, was invested with the fief, the noble family of Catalan Requisenz, arrived in Sicily nel1453 with the troops of Alfonso V of Aragon.
The April 25, 1760, Don Giuseppe Antonio Requisenz, "Prince of Pantelleria, Count of Buscemi and Baron delfeudo Solarino", obtained the licentia populandi by King Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies and made ​​to flow in propriofeudo: the population of the nearby village of well of the Church, for evading the frequent malarial infections, the inhabitants of the farm Trigona and displaced persons of Siracusa, Noto, and Canicattini Bagni who had escaped alterremoto the Val di Noto in 1693, thereby creating the first town which he called "Earth St. Paul in the feud of Solarino "[4].
The authorization to populate the fiefs, in fact, were made ​​by Regie concessions that were intended, through the establishment of new rural municipalities, to ensure the feudal nobility, on the one hand, the preservation - in fact - of your domain on the lands and, secondly, to create more wealth for the population, but at the same time, also to increase the census, the taxes and income of Customs and Excise [5].
The Land of San Paolo Solarino, was constituted as comunello (term used in the Bourbon bureaucracy to indicate today fraction) of the City of Syracuse Capovalle [6].

Municipal autonomy to the Second World War

Requisenz Palace (1759), the first building constructed in Solarino.

Since its establishment, the Comunello had a big population increase due mainly to the presence of settlers as well as the facts come from different places of Sicily, also from Genovesato [7], Piedmont and especially from Malta [8]. Presence that is to be found both surnames of clear Maltese (Mallia, Gozzo, Cianci) and Piedmont (Adorno) that still are present in the Municipality; both by coronimi Cassara (surname Maltese), Maltese, Vizzinisi (Sicilian word to indicate the inhabitants of Vizzini), Calancon wind (calanco properly is a particularly hilly landscape delMonferrato and Ligurian Apennines), Cozzo Modica (Modica, common in the province of Ragusa).

There were then, among the first inhabitants, even families from Morocco ('Maronitii ") and the Castelli Romani (" Terrae Collium prope Romam habitatores'), as can be seen from the Parish Register of Baptisms of the Mother Church [9].

In 1766, the Land of St. Paul already had 235 inhabitants, the number nearly tripled after little more than twenty years; and in 1820 the founder asked the King of Naples permission to "elevate San Paolo Solarino to the rank of an independent town" [10].

Extraordinary meeting of the Municipal Council and informal Solarino, held December 20, 2007 as part of the celebrations for the anniversary of municipal 180º.

By Royal Decree n. 1687 of December 20, 1827, King Francis I of the Two Sicilies, granted to Comunello San Paolo Solarino to separate from Syracuse, to constitute Shared particular (ie, independent) having the same name, so the sanctioning administrative autonomy.
This autonomy, however, was not immediate, since they first had to resolve the inevitable economic, logistical and administrative related to the division of the territory between the Cape Town-valley of Syracuse and the newborn San Paolo Solarino. The decision took place July 14, 1828, but the copy of the report was sent to the mayor only July 29, 1930, so until then, Solarino was in fact met again in Syracuse. [11]
The population of the new municipality was predominantly rural and consists mostly of small landowners, and the remainder from agricultural laborers, artisans and small traders; consequently, popular activities were agriculture and lapastorizia. Such set-economic-social, which survived until the First World War, is perfectly reflected in the urban structure of the country.
Until the beginning of the last century, in fact, most of the houses, except for the palaces (Requisenz, Conti Mezio and Sipala) consisted of poor houses on the street level, with one or two rooms, lacking the most basic services Toilet.
In 1850 was introduced the public lighting by kerosene lamps; but to wait until 1922 for the electrification of the same. In the second half of the nineteenth century, was planned the Piazza del Plebiscito and the adjacent streets. In 1925, finally, they began work on the incanalizzazione rainwater and the construction of the water system.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, a considerable rate of emigration especially regarding the United States of America and Australia, where many communities sprang solarinesi (New Britain, Connecticut, in Paterson [12] in New Jersey and in the suburb of Melbourne, Moreland, in Australia) but also Latin America, Central Europe (Switzerland and Germany) and the regions of northern Italy [13]; that failed to be balanced by immigration of 4,000 refugees in the Syracuse friulanigiunti after the First World War, most of whom settled in Solarino [14].

Of particular importance was the role of Solarino during the Second World War. Already between September and October 1939, the campaigns around the Hospital Vasquez were chosen for effettuarvi a training camp of the I and IVbattaglione of the 75th Infantry Regiment; the outbreak of hostilities, the town was affected by the presence of more than 1,300 displaced people mainly from Syracuse, Augusta and so-called "Overseas Territories", namely from former African colonies; in May of 1943, then, Umberto of Savoy, then general of Army Group South there mustered troops from Palazzolo, Buccheri, Vizzini and Grammichele that had been deployed along the road to Floridia; Finally, between 11 and 13 July of that year, near the village was fought one of the bloodiest battles that affected the Syracuse area "[15].
At the end of the fighting, the village, fortunately did not appear particularly damaged. Had collapsed the roofs of some houses and there were holes caused by the bursting of grenades, but overall remained intact both the church and the Town Hall. In 1944, however, just this last was set on fire by a group of young draft dodgers, resulting in the destruction of the municipal archives, for which reason, you do not have very precise information about the early years of life of the City and the border between history and tradition, in some ways it is very labile.

The Battle of Solarino (11-13 July 1943)

Plaque commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Solarino.

On July 10, 1943, after starting from Palazzolo Acreide at a time of Syracuse, in order to counter the advance of the British, the 75th Infantry Regiment, led by Colonel Francis Ronco, took refuge in Solarino - nearest town - after he stumbled in the British aircraft that began bombing the troops on the march.
Reached the company cyclists, stationed right in the latter municipality, Colonel Ronco ordered the same company to continue to Floridia, but crossing the ponteMulinello, the vehicle that preceded the cyclists was targeted by allies shooters positioned on the heights over the bridge, and so it fell back on Solarino, where in the meantime had arrived the men of the mobile group D from Misterbianco [16].

The next morning the news came that departments motorized British had already occupied Floridia. On 11 July, in reinforcing the column of the 75th Infantry Battalion was also sent mortaidella division "Napoli" [17] .. At 6, the column stood between Solarino and Floridia, resumed the march to Syracuse, while armored units the British were facing and almost half an hour later, the fighting began. Increasing the pressure English, to avoid being surrounded, Colonel Ronco ordered the retreat on the heights of Cugno Randazzo, who better to lend for the defense.

On July 12, they were made ​​to converge on Floridia some British troops withdrawn from the front of Priolo Gargallo; while other allied troops from Noto and Avola had already crossed Palazzolo, had already arrived at the homes of former fiefdom Melissa (7 km from Solarino) and the column Ronco had to face an opponent on two fronts [18].
At 4 in the morning of July 13, began the final attack enemy infiltration hips were so profound as to threaten the connection between the positions of the infantry and the artillery group, for which the withdrawal was a must. At around 13 the whole area of Cugno Randazzo was invaded by artillery fire and the Italian reaction was gradually diminishing, until they ceased completely after about two hours [19].
During the later stages of the battle lost his life Lieutenant artillery Antonio Santangelo Fulci, which, nel1949 would be given the gold medal for military valor "for strong evidence of military skill" (Decree Dellacorte Counts of 07 / 09/1949); while Colonel Ronco who managed to rescue the battle flag of the 75th Infantry Regiment (which is now kept in the shrine of the Vittoriano, in Rome), as well as the few survivors of the same regiment was awarded the silver medal for military valor . [20]

Fifty years since that event, July 13, 1993, [21] in the presence of associations of fighters, veterans solarinesi, civil authorities and a squad of honor Infantry Division Aosta, were laid two wreaths d ' laurel, one at the War Memorial and the other at the foot of an ancient olive tree, Contrada Cugno Randazzo. Also in that location, near the chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, on the edge of the highway 124, was discovered a plaque that was placed by the City Council, in memory of those events. In the same event, was awarded honorary citizenship in memoriam, to General Francesco Ronco, who died in 1978.

From the Second World War to the present day

The wayfinding anti-racket, the first case in Italy, of a message like that.

Until the end of World War II, Solarino was one of many agricultural countries of the province of Syracuse with a craft just sufficient for local consumption.
This situation lasted until the sixties, when the birth of the petrochemical Syracuse in the stretch of coast between Targia and Augusta, most campaigns were abandoned and Solarino, thanks to its geographical location, equidistant from both the industrial clusters that the capital Province, experienced the phenomenon of immigration with a consequent increase in population, which led him to be, currently, the third largest urban center of the province (after Syracuse and Floridia) for population density (566 inhab. / km²).

Among the eighties and nineties, the whole province of Syracuse was hit by a resurgence of extortion [22] who did not spare even Solarino. [23] Thus, in 1995 was established between the various traders, the Association anti-racket and three years later, he was signed a memorandum of understanding between the association and the City, for the award by the latter of local interior of the City Hall to be used to counter anti-racket. [24] Finally, in 1999, to commemorate the event, the City Council adopted an unprecedented initiative in Italy: [25] at each entrance of the town was affixed to a road sign which reported under the name of the country the word 'common who said no to the racket. "

Another date to remember in recent history solarinese was September 17, 2003. For three days, the province of Syracuse was brought to its knees by a violent flood struck the eastern Sicily, but the most serious damage occurred just Solarino [26]. Only in the first day, they were overwhelmed fifty cars, many buildings suffered collapses, including elementary school and some families had to take refuge on the roofs of the houses because of the high water level "[27].
At the end of the event weather turned damaged 80% of the road network, was destroyed 70% of the drainage system and the water and for days the country remained isolated from neighboring towns, for the unavailability of the bridge and the road to Diddino Syracuse and Palazzolo, and for the interruption of the power line and telephone [28].

Also in 2003, [29] on the basis of incentives prepared by the regional law n. 30/2000 (so-called law Ortisi) has been suggested between the birth of the Union of Municipalities and the nearby Solarino Floridia, at the end of a collective management services (including, municipal police, environment, public transport, school lunch school), subject to the administrative autonomy of the two local authorities.
Assumptions that resulted in 2010 [30], when the municipal councils of the two countries have approved the memorandum and articles of association [31] Union of Municipalities - Monti Climiti.

Palagonia
common

Administrative data

State

Italy

Region

Sicily

Province

Catania

Territory

Coordinates

37 ° 20'0 "N 14 ° 45'0" ECoordinate: 37 ° 20'0 "N 14 ° 45'0" E

Altitude

200 m asl

Surface

57 km²

People

16 547 [1] (31-12-2010)

Density

290.3 inhab. / Km²

Neighboring Municipalities

Lentini (SR), Militello, Mineo, Ramacca, Scordia

More information

Cod. Postal

95046

Prefix

095

Time zone

UTC + 1

CodiceISTAT

087 032

Cod. Cadastral

G253

License plate

CT

Cl. Seismic

zone 2 (medium seismicity)

Local inhabitants

palagonesi

Patron

Saint Febronia

Location

Palagonia

Position of the town of Palagonia in the province of Catania

Corporate website

Palagonia (Palagùnia or Palaunia in Sicilian) is a common italianodi 16,429 inhabitants in the province of Catania in Sicily.

In ancient times, the name of the city was "Palica".

Located on the southern edge of the plain of Catania, Palagonia develops about 200 meters above sea level, and is known for its vast citrus groves.

History

The municipality of Palagonia in the province of Catania

The site has been inhabited since prehistoric times; is proved by the discovery of a Palaeolithic settlement near the present town. Seems chePalikè, near present Palagonia, was founded by Ducezionel 453 BC that made ​​it the capital of his state.

At the time of the Sicilians, Palikéera probably already become an important political and religious center. A Palikè was located a famous shrine. Tradition has it that the gods called Palici, object of veneration by the Sicilians, were born from the sulphurous waters of Lake Naftia of volcanic origin. The temple dedicated to them was probably located on the shores of the lake itself; in the temple rituals were practiced and obscure prophecies. Today the lake, also called mofeta of Palici, not visible because its gas is industrially exploited.

The area is also installed a monitoring station gas flow exhaling from soils of the Etna area, forming part of a network of 10 monitoring stations of the CO2 stream eCH4 and meteorological parameters. The stations are located on the flanks of the volcano and near Mofeta of Palici for the study of geodynamics.

During the Middle Ages the site fell under Norman rule. Count Roger, in 1169, inserted the feud and the territory within the Archdiocese of Syracuse. Belonged between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries to some of the most important aristocratic families of Sicily (Alagona, Ventimiglia, Passaneto, etc.). In 1407 Giacomo Gravina became lord of the manor. From then on the story of the city will be linked to the noble house of Gravina-Cruyllas, until the death of Francesco Paolo Gravina, eighth and last Prince of Palagonia, which occurred in 1854.

Between the late nineteenth and early twentieth century were built some buildings of great architectural value neoclassical and Art Nouveau. Among these are the Palace Bridge in via Umberto, the family's home the distinguished prof. Gaetano Ponte, founder of the first chair in volcanology of Europe, where among other things he had registered a geodynamic observatory; Blandini Palace, overlooking the Piazza Garibaldi, recently renovated to house a small municipal museum; Palazzo Politini Via Duca degli Abruzzi; Blandini Palace (former home of the Ursulines) site plan Barresi, birthplace of the brothers Giovanni and Gaetano Blandini, respectively bishops of Agrigento and Noto.

Monuments and places of interest

The Hermitage of Santa Febronia

The main monument of the city is the Hermitage of Santa Febronia, basilica rock dating from the sixth-seventh century AD located in the district Coste. It is an environment most likely derived from an earlier prehistoric tomb and that through several transformations, was later used as a place of worship. The back wall of the basilica, which houses the apse, on which are painted the Christ Pantocrator, surrounded by an Annunciation and four other figures in the background (dating back to the fifteenth century); the sides of the apse depicts the martyrdom of Saint Febronia and San Bartolomeo, dating from the sixteenth and seventeenth century; while in the wall opposite the entrance are depicted: Saint Lucia, a holy bishop, a praying angel surrounded by a round, St. Agatha, St. Anastasia, and the Fall of these dating from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. This wall is made ​​even a second altar with niche suitable to accommodate a likely icon, while the right wall are carved the benches to sit during officiatura rites. Among one of the open windows on the wall perspective and the fresco of Santa Febronia, you can see traces of a fresco removed, depicting St. John the Baptist. At the center of the environment from the floor descend through the steps stone in a "T" in the walls of which are formed the niches with the function of strainers for the bodies of the monks after their death. The process served to mummificarliparzialmente. Another access oratory is constituted by a scale stone on the back.

Every year there is a procession in which the relics of Saint Febronia, patroness of the city nicknamed 'Santuzzaviene reach the hermitage.

The hermitage is located 5 km east of Palagonia, the SS385 leading to Catania.

Rocchicella

The hill of the district Rocchicella (now in the territory of Mineo), rises in the Valley of Margi. It is easily accessible from the highway Catania-Gela (SS 417), from the Catania-Caltagirone (SS 385), or from the town of Palagonia, which is just over a kilometer. Site of great historical and archaeological site of human settlement since ancient times (12.000 / 10.000 BC), as well as the center of the mystery cult of the gods Pali (personification of boiling lakes of Naftia). It is mentioned by classical Greek and Latin authors as home to both the famous sanctuary of Palici, that the city of Palikè. To visit the ruins dell'Estaterion and the Museum of the archaeological remains found in the site.

Early Christian Basilica of St. John

It is a unique building which preserves the apse and some columns, dating back to the seventh century AD Many small, it was not suited to contain the faithful, so that we assume the possibility that they would assist from the outside, in religious services. The church had no real side walls but a light curtain archeggiati within which were inserted doors that were opened during services. Some documents of the mid-sixteenth century, inform us of his membership in the Order of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem.

Well Blandini

With the installation of the citrus groves, existing at the end of the sixteenth century, were dug wells to find water needed to cover the needs summer. Around the wells were built structures, such as the well Blandini that with its more than six meters high, dominating the surrounding plain. Outside of the well there was a wit, a "noria", actuated by animals for lifting water.

Events

Feast of the orange to red pulp

Organized in the month of March, stars the main product of the country: the orange red pulp. For the party stands are provided on the product, artistic entertainment and cultural excursions to archaeological sites and exhibitions depicting farm tools and old photographs.

Saint Lucia

Considerable importance, from the citizens, is given to St. Lucia, whose feast day celebration is December 13. Folk traditions are celebrated for the eve, with the traditional fireplace in the streets of the country (Bonfire of Uses) and the preparation of Cuccia.

Holy Week

The centerpiece of the celebration is the veneration of Christ at the Column: Wednesdays, at 4:00 am, takes place the opening of the church Mary Help of Christians, for the exhibition of Christ; in the evening takes place the first part of the procession through the streets of the old town to the Mother Church. The night between Thursday and Friday takes place a prayer vigil in the said church, where, in the late morning of Friday, kicks off the second part of the procession of Christ at the Column to the church Maria Ausiliatrice.Tali processions are accompanied by numerous brothers in white coats and Singers of Popule Meus running the old traditional folk songs. On the evening of Friday procession is held with the statues of the dead Christ and the Addolorata.

Santa Febronia, Patroness of the city

Certainly the most important town recurrence among religious ones. The festivities are held in magna pump every year, from 20 June to 2 July. The focus there is on the evening of June 24, the eve of the festival, with the traditional rite of "Split 'or pignu", ie the commemoration of the holy scenic dell'apoteosi in paradise. On June 25, the liturgical feast of Santa Febronia, in memory of his martyrdom took place in the city of Nisibis (modern Nusaybin) the year 305, is marked by solemn celebrations and processions through the streets, rituals that are repeated on July 2nd, octave of the feast. Particularly striking is the pilgrimage which is held on a day of the octave, at the district Coste, with the relic of the Holy. Complete the program of festivities, shows, cultural and popular events.

Demographic evolution

Population census

Economy

The economy of Palagonia is mainly focused on the cultivation and marketing of citrus fruit, mainly oranges, which are exported throughout Europe enjoying considerable appreciation among consumers for the somewhat unique characteristics and organoleptic properties.

Transportation

Palagonia is crossed by the SS385 that connects with Caltagirone and Catania from which the city is respectively 30 and 52 km. A few miles pass, the Highway 194 Ragusana connecting Ragusa to Catania and the Highway 417 Caltagirone connecting Catania to Gela. Links to various destinations are insured by suburban bus. The railway station of Palagonia is nearly 18 km from the center. Until a few decades ago there was a significant movement of freight trains to transport citrus, today almost completely shipped by truck via road.

Notes

1. ^ Since Istat - Resident population at 31 December 2010.

See also

• Palikè

• Ducetius

• Michael Megna

• Santa Febronia

Febronia of Nisibis

(Updated 2007)

Solarino
common

Administrative data

State

Italy

Region

Sicily

Province

Syracuse

Territory

Coordinates

37 ° 6'0 "N 15 ° 7'0" ECoordinate: 37 ° 6'0 "N 15 ° 7'0" E (Map)

Altitude

165 m asl

Surface

13.01 km²

People

7820 [1] (31-12-2010)

Density

601.08 inhab. / Km²

Neighboring Municipalities

Floridia, Acreide Palazzolo, Priolo Gargallo, Syracuse, Sortino

More information

Cod. Postal

96010

Prefix

0931

Time zone

UTC + 1

CodiceISTAT

089 018

Cod. Cadastral

I785

License plate

SR

Cl. Seismic

zone 2 (medium seismicity)

Cl. climate

Area C, 966 GG [2]

Local inhabitants

solarinesi

Patron

St. Paul the Apostle

Public holiday

25 January and the first Sunday in August

Location

Solarino

Position of the town of Solarino in the Syracuse area

Corporate website

Solarino (San Paulu in Sicilian) is an Italian town of 7,782 inhabitants [3] of the province of Syracuse in Sicily.

It is located in the hinterland of Syracuse, 17 km to the northwest delcapoluogo. It is the smallest municipality, by extension, of the province, but at the same time it is also the third largest town in the province by population density, after Floridia and Siracusa.

Its importance, within the province, mainly from the processing of agricultural products. In common, in fact, converge annually, is largely of olive production in the area for the milling, is a quantity of almonds approximately 65,000 quintalipari 80% of the Sicilian production. [4]

Physical Geography

The town of Solarino is located on a hilly slope between 190 and 145 m above sea level; the town hall is located 165 meters above sea level, so this is the official altitude of the town. [5]

The territory stretches over a hilly area called Val d'Anapo, [6] extreme eastern foothill of the Iblei Mountains that slope towards the plain of Syracuse, which is bounded by physical boundaries: the quarries and Cirino Spampinato Culatrello-southwest ; the slope of the valley dell'Anapo north-east; diFloridia the Plain to the southeast. For this reason, the altitude is variable: it goes from a minimum of 120 meters, in the district Macchiotta to a maximum of 390 meters, in the locality of Trigona, with an excursion altitude of 270 meters. [7]

The appearance of the agro solarinese is characterized by Mediterranean scrub and olive groves of the hilly and dagliagrumeti the plain below. Also prevalent almond trees, prickly pears carrubie most often placed on the property boundaries of the same citrus groves.

Climate

To learn more, see the entry Meteorological Station of Syracuse.

The climate is temperate Mediterranean type, is characterized by mild winters and hot enough and not much different in the detection of values, from the provincial capital. The temperature reaches the highest values ​​in the months of August luglioe (37 ° C on average, but with peaks above 40 ° C) and the lowest in the months of December and February (which rarely reach 0 ° C), while the annual average is around 18 degrees Celsius. The wettest months sonoottobre and November, the driest, July and August. Are sketchy phenomena of fog and hail, as well as the days characterized by strong winds, which in winter, mostly coming from the west, while in summer and inautunno blow mostly from the northeast; rare snowfall. [8]

Concerning the Climate classification, introduced by Presidential Decree no. 412 of 26 August 1993, the City is part of the so-called Area C, having a heat requirement of 966 GG.

Solarino no weather stations. A rough indication, however, is provided mainly by data collected from the Syracuse station located a few kilometers from the territory solarinese:

SYRACUSE (23 m)

January

February

Tues.

April

May

June

July

Needle

Set

October

November

December

Year

Maximum average temperature (° C)

14.8

15.3

17.1

19.7

23.7

28.2

31.3

31.2

28.1

24

19.6

16.3

22.4

Average minimum temperature (° C)

7.3

7.5

8.7

10.7

13.9

17.8

20.7

21.2

19.2

16

12.1

9

13.7

Rainfall (mm)

75

52

44

30

16

5

3

7

44

78

94

78

526

Territory

Hydroelectric plant dell'Anapo.
The containment basin bottom, near Solarino.

The district is considered a medium-high seismicity zone (zone 2) pursuant to Ordinance No. PCM. 3274 of 20/03/2003, which established the seismic classification of Italian municipalities.

The reason lithological predominant in the territory is characterized by sediments calcarenitibiancastri - well combined - which on the surface appear discreetly altered and engraved by valleys where small streams run dry for most of the year. These sediments were referred by the geological literature "training Monti Climiti" refers Oligocene-Miocene. [9] The rock outcropping of limestone, which constitutes more than half of the territory, does not have a uniform structure, being in some places and compact in others, quite friable, thus giving rise to subterranean formations, such as the Cave of the Fan. The remainder is made up darocce clastic sedimentary breccias as conchiliari dating back to the Quaternary and Pliocene limestones sandy, clayey sandstones econglomerati few meters thick.

From the point of view of soil, land solarinesi formed by the decomposition of the rock outcropping pHleggermente have a basic and a reddish color caused by the presence of iron hydroxide alkaline deicalcari own environment that favors the formation of hematite; while those of alluvial have a color ranging from brown to red to dark yellow. [10]

As for the hydrography, land solarinese falls in the basin of the river Anapo that, just a few kilometers from the town, was conveyed in two artificial reservoirs, in order to harness the kinetic energy of the water supply by the same name for produrreenergia center. [11]

History

Main article: History of the voice Solarino.

The history of the origins of Solarino is shrouded in mystery and is often the boundary between reality and legend, because of unincendio that in 1944 destroyed the town archives, making it somewhat difficult historical reconstruction. Although there are many archaeological evidence of human presence in today's municipal area, since prehistoric times, [12] the foundation of the first settlement occurred only in the eighteenth century [13] at the hands of the Prince of Pantelleria Giuseppe Antonio Requisenz. [14]

The earliest records of Solarino, however, date back to the thirteenth century, when it is counted as a baronial feud in the role of feudal lords from De Spucches. [15] Until then, the story tends to be confused with the tradition that sees the preaching of St. Paul solarinesi lands, during the stop of the three days it took to Syracuse in the year 61. [16]

Key dates in the history solarinese, in addition to the April 25, 1760, granting the licentia populandi and, therefore, the foundation of the first settlement, are December 20, 1827, the day when King Francis I, granted to "Comunello 'San Paolo Solarino l 'administrative autonomy, [17] and July 13, 1943, when in the countryside around the country, after three days of fighting, ended one of the bloodiest battles of World War II in the Syracuse area, known as the Battle of Solarino. [18 ]

The first coat of arms in force from 1827 to 1920, which shows the ancient name of the City "San Paolo Solarino".

Place name

The meaning of the name is unclear Solarino. According to a thesis, [19] could come from the Sicilian sularinu, which means "lonely", perhaps because it refers to the church that was originally isolated from the first settlement; according to other authors, [20] [21] however, the name is of Latin origin derives from the word solaris or solarium which means "sunny", referring to the geographical position of the territory. A foundation and confirmation of this theory, the authors pose the feedback with the name of one of the districts of Solarino, Soliardo, from Latin solis (= sun) ardeo (= burn, inflamed, I shine), or "burn or I shine for sun ", and then" sunny place ". [22]

Solarino, however, has not always been the name of the town in question. During the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in fact, the official name of the country was "City of San Paolo Solarino," and so even under the Kingdom of Italy, at least until September 9, 1920, when in official acts preparatory to the municipal elections of next October, popped up for the first time the words "City Hall Solarino". Only in 1922, after nearly a century of municipal autonomy was introduced municipal seal with the inscription "City of Solarino", the current name of the country. The reference to St. Paul, however, was not entirely random. [23] In fact, during the journey in 60 AD, from Cilicia took him to Rome, the Apostle of the Gentiles, who arrived in 61 AD in Syracuse stayed there for three days. [24] According to local tradition, during this stop, despite the custody militaris which he was subjected, [25] the Holy also visited the oppidum this area Cozzo Collura, [26] near present Solarino, where - it is said - he miraculously gush of water, after beating the ground with his foot; in fact, at that place were found archaeological finds related to the Roman period that goes from the second to the fourth century including the remains of an early Christian church and a well, which is why, even today, the site in question is called by the inhabitants the place Puzzu 'the San Paulu (Pozzo di San Paolo). [27]

As for the change of name of the municipality, from San Paolo in Solarino Solarino, although there is no official explanation, according to the scholar P. Serafino M. Gozzo [28] This event is related to the political will of the mayor at the time, Carmelo Lamonica, to secularize institutions, eliminating the reference to the religious figure of the saint by the name of the municipality. Just the same Gozzo, with a request filed September 23, 1978, became the promoter of a popular initiative should be restored because the original name of St. Paul Solarino, his request, however, had no follow-up by the administration of the time , although it was supported by more than two thousand signatures of residents. [29] The name of the Apostle of Tarsus, however, is not lost, but continues to exist even today in the dialect name of the country, in fact: San Paulu and the resulting name its inhabitants called sampalísi (= "Sampaolesi") [30] or even paliddi (literally "Pauline").

Symbols

To learn more, see the entry Coat of Solarino.

Gonfalon Municipal

The current coat of arms dates back to the twenties and was granted by Vittorio Emanuele IIIcon Royal Decree of 19 September 1921. It is a shield surrounded by two branches: a laurel and oak and surmounted by a mural crown of the City, whose heraldic description is the following: "azure, three ears of wheat, with the rising sun and beaming at Canton right of the shield, all of gold." [31]

The banner looks Party yellow and azure, charged with the coat of arms and the inscription centered in gold, bearing the name of the City. Was granted only in the eighties with the Decree of the President of the Republic, on the basis of the Board resolution No. 19 of 14 May 1983. [32]

Monuments and places of interest

Mother Church St. Paul the Apostle.

The main sights of Solarino are undoubtedly those related to tradition and to the cult of the patron, the so-called Pauline sites, namely the Pozzo di San Paolo, the Grotto of St. Paul and the remains of the Church of San Paoloche are in Cozzo Collura, as well as the Church madredel own country entitled to the Apostle of Tarsus.

Within the city center, then, in addition to the palaces, and the same Mother Church, all buildings dating back to the eighteenth century, are to be reported and the War Memorial Hospital Vasquez built in the twenties and the recent Peace Monument.

Near the village, however, worthy of note along with the aforementioned excavations Cozzo Collura, are the archaeological area of ​​Contrada San Demetrio, the necropolis of Cava del Rivettazzo and the hydroelectric plant dell'Anapo.

Below, the description [33] of the places of interest.

Places of worship

• Mother Church St. Paul the Apostle, located on the southwestern side of the main town square (Piazza del Plebiscito), dates from the second half of the eighteenth century, but its completion it was only after more than a hundred years, in 1887. [34]

• Church Our Lady of Tears, built in 1966 and consecrated ten years later, is located in Via Matteotti, n. 97 in the district of the Station, in the northeastern part of the country. [35]

Monuments

Palazzo Requisenz.

• Requisenz Palace (XVIII century), was the first building of the town, is located in Piazza del Plebiscito, almost opposite the Town Hall and is the only example of Catalan art still present in Sicily. In 1993, following the Decree the Office for Cultural Heritage and environmental dellaRegione Sicilian n. Of 27 March 5732, this building was granted protection under the Law n. 1089 of 1939, that is, its elevation to a national monument of historical and artistic interest. [36]

• Palace of the Counts Mezio, is located in Piazza del Plebiscito. Dating back to the eighteenth century, since 1927 is the current town hall, after it had already been purchased by the city in 1897, as a result of the economic failure of the original owners. Subsequently, in the wing of the building overlooking the Corso Vittorio Emanuele, is housed the headquarters of the local police station, while the one that overlooks Via Garibaldi is the hospitality of the City unicoufficio post.

• Sipala Palace (eighteenth century), is located along the Corso Vittorio Emanuele and inside it was converted into a bed and breakfast accommodation.

• Hospital Vasquez, colonial-style building built in the twenties, is located in Via Piave, on the southern outskirts of the village. Built as a health post, according to the intention of the donor of the building, due to various political vicissitudes and paperwork was never used as such. [37]

  

  

  Hospital Vasquez.

• Monument to the Fallen in war, wanted by Mayor Salvatore Cianci, in 1927, is located on the northeast side of the Piazza del Plebiscito. In April of 2007, has undergone restoration work, part of the larger process of urban renewal that has affected the square on which it stands, for the installation of spotlights for lighting autonomous and iron balusters line the perimeter. [38]

• Peace Monument, built in 1990 following the project by the artist Francesco Caldarella, represents a stylized winged Mercury and is positioned at the entrance to the south-east of the country, in the wide Gandhi. [39]

• Monument in memory of the Battle of Solarino, is located between the towns Cugno Randazzo and Zaiera (area Madonna or Cava Campieri), left margin - leaving Solarino - SS 124, towards Palazzolo Acreide, near the Km 102 and consists in a memorial plaque placed in 1993 on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the aforementioned battle, which took place from 11 to 13 July 1943. [40]

• Quarry Rivettazzo, is a necropolis Paleolithic located about 4 km north of the town, along the road that leads to Sortino. Its importance lies in the fact that, despite its small size, it is the only site that testifies to all stages of the Sicilian civilization. [41]

  

  

  Quarry Rivettazzo.

• Contrada San Demetrio, is a place that is not far from Cozzo Collura and in which were found the remains of a settlement dating back to periodotardo Roman - Byzantine.

• Cozzo Collura, is a rural area that is located about 2 km east of the town; of particular note are the namesakes excavations, dating back to two different historical periods, IV - III century BC and II - IV century AD, testimony of the first settlement of the area solarinese. [12]

Natural places

• Fan Cave, is an underground natural that lies beneath Via Dante. Discovered by chance at the end of the eighties during some excavation work, [42] is currently the site is closed to the public because of the location, as located in a city street just 50 cm - one meter at most - from the road surface. [ 43]

• Park "Robinson - Blessed Mary Crucified Curcio", is located in Via Palermo, in front of the Villa Comunale. Inside are installed games for children (swings, roundabouts, slides) and a wooden tribune, installed in 2000, replacing the "labyrinth" where the park was originally named for (Park of the labyrinth). [44] In 2006 was dedicated to the Blessed Mary Crucified Curcio.

Cozzo Collura, Pozzo di San Paolo.

• Urban Park "Maria Grazia Cutuli", designed in 2000, [45] is located in the northeast of the country, at the end of Via Ruggero Settimo and covers an area of ​​6060 square meters. its area is bounded by stone walls and a wooden fence and includes walking trails, paths, parking areas and playgrounds for children. On 20 December 2001 he was named in memory of journalist cataneseuccisa a month earlier, in an attack inAfghanistan. [46]

• Villa Comunale, established in 1973, was closed to the public from 1985 to 1997 due to the protracted reconstruction works and the lack of staff to look after the property. Extended on just over 1,300 square meters, is located in Via Palermo, near the Hospital Vasquez and spread over various levels, because of the shape of the hilly terrain. The levels are put into communication with each other through a series of stairs and boardwalks. Inside you will find a pine forest, a grove of cedars, beech and acacia trees and a rock garden. [47]

• Lower basin of Central dell'Anapo, is located about 4 km (2 crow flies) north of the town, along the Provincial Road 76 near the bridge Diddino. Located at about 84 m above sea level, has an area of ​​460 km² and a height of 30 meters with a capacity of 7 million cubic meters of water. [48] Since 2002, Enel, which operates the central object as part of the event stations open, is organizing a series of events, including races jet skis, [49] guided visits to the plant and theoretical and practical lessons of canoe / kayak, [50] which led, in 2003 to the signing of the agreement between the manager and the municipalities of electric Floridia, Priolo Gargallo, Solarino and Sortino for the establishment of the "Centro Nautico of Anapo", whose coordination sport was entrusted to Davide Tizzano, Olympic champion in rowing in Seoul 88 and Barcelona 1992. [51]

Society

Demographic evolution

The inhabitants of the first settlement formed inside the feud "Solarino" in the eighteenth century, were mostly farmers from the nearby village of the Well of the Church and from the farm Trigona; to these, were added the displaced of Syracuse, Noto, and Canicattini Bagni who survived the earthquake of Val di Noto in 1693. The first demographic data of the town (then fraction of Syracuse) date back to 1766, when the Land of St. Paul in fief of Solarino counted 235 inhabitants, the number nearly tripled after little more than two decades, thanks to the presence of settlers who were brought as well as various places of Sicily, also from Genovesato, [52] from the Piedmont, Malta ("Terrae Melitae habitatores »), homeboy ('Maronitii") and the Castelli Romani ("Terrae Collium prope Romam habitatores'), as can be seen dalRegistro Parish Baptisms of the Mother Church. [53]

At the beginning of the twentieth century, Solarino, was affected by a considerable rate of emigration, especially to the United States of America and Australia, where many communities sprang solarinesi (New Britain, Connecticut, in Paterson [54] in New Jersey and in the suburb of Melbourne, Moreland, in Australia) but also to Latin America, Central Europe (Switzerland and Germany) and regions of northern Italy. [55] This bleeding was not able to be balanced either by immigration of 4,000 refugees arrived in Friuli Syracuse in November 1917 because of the First World War - most of whom settled in this very commonly [56] and lasted until the until the sixties.

Following the economic boom and the birth of the petrochemical Syracuse in the stretch of coast between Targia and Augusta, most campaigns were abandoned and Solarino, thanks to its geographical location - equidistant from both the industrial clusters that the provincial capital - knew immigration resulting in an increase in population, which led him to be, currently, the third largest urban center of the province (after Syracuse and Floridia) for population density (566 inhab. / km²). Population census

Ethnic minorities and foreign

As at 31 December 2007 in Solarino are residents 169 foreign citizens, equal to 2.26% of the population. [57] The national communities are more numerous:

• Romania - 60

• Poland - 47

• Albania - 18

Dialect solarinese

The dialect (or rather: the vernacular) solarinese - Sicilian: parrata sampalisa - is part of the Sicilian language, and specifically pertains to the "dialect metafonetico Eastern Europe." It, however, has some peculiarities, [58] especially in phonetics, which differentiate it from this type of dialects, and especially those of neighboring municipalities (Floridia and Syracuse): [59]

degeminazione double occlusive retroflex sound [dd], [60] to which the words Iddu (= he, him), nuddu (= none), cavaddu (= horse) in Sicilian are pronounced ['iɖɖu], [' nuɖɖu] and [ka'vaːɖɖu] in solarinese become idu, nudu and cavadu (['iɖu], [' nuɖu] and [ka'vaːɖu]).

1. failure retroflexion of voiceless alveolar plosive [t] in the pronunciation of the links <tr> and <str>, then, the words tri (= three) and strata (= road), which are pronounced in Sicilian respectively ['ʈɽi] and [ 'ʂɽaːta], with a sound similar to English words and street tree, in solarinese, will maintain the sound that they would in the Italian language, that is, [' tri] and ['Strata].

The reason for this difference, perhaps, is to trace the origin of the original composite settlement of the country, which saw the presence not only of Sicily (canicattinesi, netini, Syracuse) but also of the Maltese, Liguria and Piedmont. [61] However, with the advent of mass literacy and the increasing economic and cultural relations with the neighboring country of Floridia and with the capital, such diversity now last only in the range of older population. Therefore, the dialect spoken by Solarinesi currently is similar to that Floridians and Syracuse.

Folklore: the ciarauli

According to a local tradition (also widespread in the nearby town of Palazzolo Acreide), all those who are born on the night of January 25, the date of the conversion of Saint Paul, having the quality miraculous - given to them by the Holy - to be able to heal from snake bites or from "passiature" (erythema contact caused by poisonous reptiles or other animals, such as scorpions and tarantulas). According to the legend, San Paolo is the protector against the reptiles. [62] This belief, starts from the episode described by St. Luke in the Acts of the Apostles [63] regarding the bite procured to Paul in the island of Malta, by a viper that, to the amazement of those present, produced no result. These people are called "ciarauli" (from the greek κεραυλής "keraulés", that horn players, since the first and oldest ciarauli during healing, they used to use of musical instruments). The ciaràulu "or ciaràula", therefore, are individuals who may belong to any social class, since the "title" is acquired exclusively for diem natalem and whose hallmark excrescence under the tongue called the "mark of the spider ". [30] However, the simple birth and l '" footprint "are not in themselves to make bastevoli BECOME ciàraulu a person, but you need to follow a real training process [16], which starts at around seven or eight years . When you reach that age, "marked" can learn the formulas scongiuratorie (ciarmi) by another ciaràulu, but only in the church, and only on Christmas Eve during the consecration of the Eucharist, or the formulas will lose effectiveness.

The healing modalities, completely abandoned the use of musical instruments, is the following: the ciaràulu, fasting, analyzes the painful part and judges the type of bite, makes the sign of the cross, wets the part with his own saliva, therefore, makes a gentle massage, mentally repeating the spell ("ciarmu"). This operation (to be done in the morning and evening, for three days) is repeated three times, and concludes with a sign of the cross. In previous centuries this popular belief assigned to "ciarauli" extraordinary abilities so much that many were to take a pilgrimage to Solarino), [64] to fulfill a vow of thanks to the Holy One who had brought them heal from a bite or reptile another poisonous animal.

Since 2010, the ciarauli was dedicated a special event called Kerayles fest, included as part of the festivities in honor of the patron, alternating lectures, musical and choreographic. [65]

Culture

At present, the cultural manifestations of the most commonly encountered concern the promotion of the territory, of the popular and religious traditions and food and wine.

Despite the absence of special spaces such as theaters and cinemas, are frequent representations teatraliche they are played in the streets of the town - especially in summer - thanks to the initiative of some associations and local theater companies. Even the music industry is very active, with the presence of several groups, such as Qbeta, which however are not a few difficulties to express themselves lacking adequate space and investments in the sector. Sporadic, however, the exhibitions of painting, photography and sculpture and literary meetings scenarios they see as the assembly room "Falcone and Borsellino", the religious institution "Cenacolo Dominican" or the former Hospital Vasquez, given the lack exhibition spaces ad hoc.

Museums

In the city center there are three private museum spaces: one of naturalistic, another female on handicraft production, and the third, of character etnoantropologico. Another museum - also of ethnological and managed by Pro locomotive should rise at the west of the country along the road to Palazzolo Acreide, near the former mill of Locozio, currently undergoing restoration. [66]

• Ecomuseum Hyblon, housed in the structure of the Cenacle Dominican Father in Via Barbagallo, is a museopaleontologico - Mineralogical collecting specimens of the natural heritage of the area iblea, coming not only from the valley dell'Anapo, but also from Cavagrande Cassibile and Vendicari. [ 67]

• Permanent Museum of Lace and Embroidery Artistic, established in 2003, is located in Via Machiavelli and is based on a private collection of lace and embroidery made between the nineteenth century and the second half of the twentieth century and from every Italian region. [68]

• House of the twentieth century, located in Via Vincenzo Bellini, n. 43, consists of a typical solarinese dating back to the period of the First World War, restored and turned into a permanent exhibition of local ethnographic material. [69]

Average

• Radio: Solarino is home of the radio station Radio South Eastern (better known as Radio SO or simply RSO) [70] that broadcasts in the area of ​​Syracuse in frequency modulation (FM) on 98.200 Mhz. Until the early nineties, from Solarino also conveyed the broadcaster Radio On.

• Television: the second half of the seventies, in particular since 1976, and until 1993 in Solarino which hosted the broadcaster Teleanapo, obscured following the law Mama on the regulation of public and private broadcasting system. [71] Since 2008, Teleanapo returned to broadcast stream, becoming unaweb TV. [72]

Kitchen

A pizzolo

To learn more, see the entry Pizzolo.

Typical products of the culinary tradition of Solarino are essentially ilpizzolo and an outcast. The Pizzolo, the name implies, is a kind of pizzafarcita whose content may vary: salami, cheese, meat or vegetables. While an outcast is a special kind of chases whose filling is mainly based on vegetables, potatoes and sausage, if salt; or made with ricotta, honey and cinnamon ozucchero, in its "sweet" and in this case is called chased 'the ricotta.

Other typical dishes, although not exclusive Solarino, as common to all the centers of the lower Val d'Anapo (Floridia, Canicattini Bagni and stessaSiracusa), are the zippole (or crispeddi), "drops" of fried dough, with within sultanas, in the sweet version, or pieces of salted anchovies, salted version that you consume for San Martino; the totò, baked Christmas covered with chocolate icing (totò blacks) or lemon (totò white) and cassatelle ricotta, sweet like tarts stuffed with ricotta, sugar or honey, orange peel or lemon and cinnamon.

People from Solarino

• Alfredo Mezio (1908 - 1978), caricaturist, journalist, literary critic and art which, since 1997, have been dedicated to the public library and a street in the country. [73]

• Paul Calafiore (1928 - 2006), painter, sculptor and writer.

• Giuseppe Gianni (1947), political.

• Giuseppe Palumbo (1975), cyclist.

• Qbeta, musical group.

Events

To learn more, see the entry for Feast of St. Paul Solarino.

'A nized (the output) of fercolo St. Paul dallaChiesa Mother for the procession during the patronal feast of August 3, 2008.

The most important events of Solarino are the religious festivals. The oldest known locally is undoubtedly one of the first Sunday of August in honor of the patron Saint Paul the Apostle, which attracts a large number of visitors and migrants and which gives news also etnologoGiuseppe Pitrè in his monumental work Library Sicilian folk traditions. [16]

As for other types of events (fairs, festivals, competitions, sports events), their persistence is essentially linked to the economic resources of the organizers; and so, in the past, Solarino was also the scene of livestock fairs (boario market from 1882 until the eighties [74]), trade fairs (Fiera del Sole, dal1995 to 1997), art contests (National Piano Competition "City of Solarino "Since 1995 [75] to the 2004 International Festival of Choral Music in 2000), sporting events (Trofeo Pantalica professional cycling from 1976 to 2003, [76] Motoraduno Solarino in 2001 [77] and Palio Horse" City of Solarino "since 1998 [78] and 2003 [79]). Currently we have the following events: [80]

• Solarinese Carnival, with a parade of floats and masked groups in the streets of the country, outdoor disco in Piazza del Plebiscito and the sausage festival.

• Feast of Santa Maria Annunziata is held on the second Sunday after Easter and is characterized by auctioning (â libbira home, in Sicilian) of the gifts offered to the Madonna and the ciaccariata, traditional torchlight procession of torches made of inflorescences of disa jumbled and intertwined ( ciaccàre) accompanying the procession fercolo and which has been known since 1847. [81]

• Show / Photo Contest "City of Solarino" takes place in June, in the assembly room of the City.

• Flower Festival "City of Solarino" takes place in June, in Piazza Plebiscito and along the Corso Vittorio Emanuele. [82]

• The White Night: takes place, since 2009, in July, on a night between Saturday and Sunday. From 20 on Saturday, at 4:30 the next morning, you can watch plays and performances by street artists and musicians, in boxes specially set up along the Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Piazza del Plebiscito, Piazza IV Novembre and corners of the main streets of the town, visiting exhibitions and photography and painting, as well as shopping for stores that remain open specially for the duration of the event and participate in the tasting of local products. [83]

• Summer Solarinese: in the months of July, August and September are organized musical and theatrical performances, sporting events, festivals. Of particular note, among other events, the singing contest denominatoEstivo.

• Feast of St. Paul the Apostle is the main festival of Solarino, takes place the first Sunday in August, but the festivities in honor of the saint began the week before with various side events. [84] On January 25, however, the day of the Conversion of St. Paul, the feast of the patron, takes only a legal connotation and does not take any event, excluding purely religious (church functions eprocessione fercolo of the streets of the country) [85].

• Beer Festival and typical products, in late August; the focus of the event is undoubtedly the performance of local bands and national and international fame.

• Feast of Our Lady of Tears, takes place in the third week of September.

• Medieval joust, inserted in 2008 as the closing event of Summer solarinese, consists in the re-enactment of a typical medieval tournament and is divided into two rounds: in the first, the knights, armed with a spear, devonono hit a target placed on the arm of a Twirling bust, while in the second, must pierce - always with a spear - rings progressively smaller.

• Thanksgiving: an appointment is typical of the first week of November. Thanksgiving in question was that of farmers to harvest obtained during the year. It takes place in the streets of the country with the parade of agricultural vehicles, in front of the Mother Church, with the celebration of Holy Mass and in Piazza del Plebiscito, with popular games (greasy pole, sack race, tug of war) open to anyone who wants to participate. [86]

• Festival of cottage cheese, held each May 1 until 2006, since 2007 has been inserted in the side events alNatale.

Finally, are celebrated three anniversaries related to civic history solarinese:

• Anniversary (licentia populandi) - April 25.

• Anniversary of the Battle of Solarino - July 13.

• Municipal Autonomy anniversary - December 20.

Human geography

City planning

Detail of a house solarinese Nouveau.

Solarino is 859 km from the capital, Rome; 255 km from the regional capital, Palermo; 210 km from Agrigento; 157 km from Caltanissetta; 63 km from Catania; 132 km from Enna; 158 km from Messina; 67 km from Ragusa; 363 km from Trapani; and just 17 km from the provincial capital, Syracuse.

The urban center of the City, built on areas that were formerly known as: Santa Croce, Badìa, Closed Fondaco, Station, Coast Casino, Moat Barone, Cozzo Modicano and Piano Palace has a plant in orthogonal, oval. Its architectural appearance recently, since the founding of the town dates back to the second half of the eighteenth century, is characterized - especially in the Northeast quadrant (Vie Martyrs of Ardeatine, Vittorio Veneto, Nazario Sauro, quartiereStazione) - the so-called "Attardamento of Decoration Liberty ", which manifests itself in particular shapes of the window sills and frames limestone surmounting doors and windows of the houses built up to the forties eanni fifty. [87]

The northeast side of the Piazza del Plebiscito, centering the War Memorial, and the Palazzo Conti Mezio (Town Hall).

Heart geographical, political and religious of the country is the Piazza del Plebiscito. Almost square, is divided into two symmetrical parts from Corso Vittorio Emanuele, and it is the main roads of the country and the provincial and state roads to Floridia, Syracuse, Sortino and Palazzolo Acreide. There are the Town Hall, the Cathedral Church St. Paul the Apostle, the Monument to the Fallen in War, ilPalazzo Requisenz and the only pharmacy in the country. At the center of the south-western side of the square, in front of the Mother Church, is, then, the majestic pine planted during ilFascismo to commemorate the death of Arnaldo Mussolini and that, after the second world war, was renamed in Tree of Liberty, in memory the end of the war. [88] Finally, from December 2006 to July 2007, the square was the subject of an extensive restoration and consolidation on the replacement of the original flooring with a new one made of blocks of white stone d'Avola, the removal of pine trees that arredavano (except for the Tree of Liberty), the subsequent planting of magnolias and the installation of a new public lighting, so-called art, in order to bring out the monuments and buildings that face . The main street is the Corso Vittorio Emanuele, about 800 meters long and it is the natural continuation of the SS 124, in it there are the police station, the Palace Sipala and most of the businesses in the country.

Other places of interest, from the architectural point of view - urban, are Piazza IV Novembre (known by Solarinesi as the square of grass, because in ancient times was not paved and there grew wild on the lawn), square of approximately 1,000 square meters located in the west of the country, whose particular structure on two floors, reminiscent of the auditorium and the audience of a theater and that this characteristic is often used perrappresentazioni performing arts; Piazza Aldo Moro, semicircular, within which is embedded a staircase with painted murals on the top, 5 September 2009, was a statue of Padre Pio and Piazzale Victor Rizza, named in memory of an Italian-American researcher (of origins solarinesi) Rockefeller University NewYork died tragically with his son, in the crash of Flight SR111 2 September 1998. [89] The square, oval, was derived from the confluence of the streets Dante and Piave, near of 'Hospital Vasquez, is elevated above the road surface due to the difference in height between the two arteries and its interior features a rotunda surrounded by lawn on which were planted palm trees and other tall trees. [90]

Municipal district

The district has an area of ​​1,301 hectares, out to be, well, the smallest of the Province of Syracuse. Its boundaries are: north and west with the Municipality of Sortino; to the northeast, with that of Priolo Gargallo; to the east, still with Priolo Gargallo and Syracuse; south and southeast with Floridia and southeast with Palazzolo Acreide.

The extra-urban areas (locally called districts) that combine to form it are: Balatazza, Calancon wind, Carrubbazza, Case Rosse, Cassara, Cava Cirino, Basin Porco, Costa Lucente, Costa Palmieri, Costa Pernice, Cozzo of Death, Cozzo Collura, Cozzo Rabbit, Cugno Canne, Cugno Cardone, Cugno Randazzo, Finaiti, Fuller, Caves Conzo, Loco, Loco Carciolo, Locozìo, Macchiotta, Maltese, Mangiapecora, Farmhouse, New Well, Well Oliva, Quartararo, Raina, Ràzzina, San Demetrio, Sellichisina, Sfardascarpe, Soliardo, Trigona, Vizzinisi, Loco Zaiera, Zanno.
Many of these (Cozzo Amena, Cozzo Rabbit, Fuller, Macchiotta, Maltese, Mangiapecora, Pozzo Oliva), due to the population growth of the City now form an integral part of the urban center. Other (Balatazza, Finaiti, Trigona, Cugno Canne, Sellichisina), however, being next to the town and as a result of the constant building expansion that has found new life since the nineties, [91] are urbanizing, losing their rural characteristics and increasingly becoming the new edge of the village.

Economy

Almonds, a wealth for the economy solarinese.

The country's economy, in the past, it was mainly agricultural, as indeed were those of other municipalities of Syracuse. Known primarily for the production of olives, almonds ecarrube territory solarinese resulted mainly intended to intensive crops (60%), extensive crops (30%) and pasture (10%).

After the economic boom of the sixties and following the birth of the petrochemical, agriculture has had a setback as well as the breeding of cattle and sheep, so their impact in the economic fabric of the country is gone, with time, diminishing and currently, is quite modest. [92] Nevertheless, thanks to the ability of economic conversion of many local operators, the economy linked to natural products (cereals, olives, carob, almond, fruit and vegetables), is attempting one development in terms of processing and exporting of products (local cakes, honey, oil, canned). Just think about it, the City converges much of olive production in the area, for the milling and that, annually, in Solarino is processed a quantity of almonds of about 65,000 tons, equivalent to 80% of the Sicilian production. [4] Therefore, two seasonal jobs typically have been transformed into a stable source of employment, thanks to export the finished product on an international scale. As a result, the economy of the country, major importance is the industries of food processing [93] (dairies, oil mills, flour mills, butchers, canneries), beekeeping, processing of citrus fruits and fruit and vegetables. As of 2000, signs of recovery are also visible in the building sector and is quite developed sector also linked to wine and food through different structures (bars, pubs, discopubs, restaurants, pizzerias, reception rooms) is present in the city center and its surroundings.

Produce

• Red oranges

• The pods

• Lemons of Syracuse [94]

• Almonds

• The thyme honey [95]

• Mustard

• Olive oil DOP Monti Iblei, sub Anapo Valley. [96]

Markets and fairs

• The weekly market (in Sicilian 'a fera), takes place every Monday morning in the district station, in the area between Piazza Road Victims, Via Donizetti and Via Enna, near the northern outskirts of the town.

Infrastructure and transport

Because of the low urban center, in Solarino there are no urban public transport.

As for the suburban transport by road, is connected with Solarino Floridia, Syracuse, Sortino, Cassaro, Ferlae Palazzolo Acreide via the bus AST [97] and with Catania, Fontanarossa, Floridia, Belvedere and Priolo Gargallo, using coach services INTERBUS . [98]

For air transport, the municipality in question, as well as most of the urban centers of eastern Sicily, depends daCatania; while for sea and rail, from Syracuse (railway and port), as well as from the commercial port of Augusta.

Roads

The main road arteries [99] serving the City are:

• There Syracuse linking it primarily with Floridia, Syracuse and Palazzolo Acreide.

• There Eastern Sicula linking it primarily with Catania (outputs: North Syracuse, Syracuse, Priolo south).

• There Solarino - Fusco - Sortino, scenic road that runs through the Valley dell'Anapo.

• There Solarino - Diddino, which connects the town with the provincial Priolo Gargallo, eCittà Belvedere Garden.

• There Diddino - Monte Climiti - Saiazza, connecting with Solarino Sortino and Melilli.

• There Balatazza - Trigona, which connects the city center with the name of two districts and the State Route 124.

Railways

To learn more, see the entry Railroad Siracusa-Ragusa-Vizzini.

Railway bridge over the disused track of Siracusa-Ragusa-Vizzini, near Solarino.

From 19 July 1915, [100] for about forty years, was active train station "San Paolo Solarino" located at 144 m above sea level, at km 17.172 of the route of the railway Siracusa-Ragusa-Vizzini, [101] in an area belonging Well part of the district Oliva, which currently corresponds with the Avenue of the Fatherland, on the north-east of the country. [102] This station until July 26, 1923, represented ilcapolinea of ​​trafficking; while, on 30 June 1956, he left the last train to Syracuse locomotive driven by 03 (called Solarino) [103] that came guests modern Syracuse New at 9:30, after half an hour of travel, with recent rail vehicles to be set aside. [104] Later on that date, in fact, as a result of the decree which ordered the closure of Angelini called deadwood railways [105] was closed the entire rail route, which since the war had been reduced to the trunk Home San Paolo Solarino - Syracuse New. Following the dismantling of the railway and urban expansion, the station was abandoned and later demolished to make way to the buildings of the new district called precisely Station. Since 1956, therefore, the railway station of reference is that of Syracuse that is less than 20 km from the city center.

Current administration

Address of the town hall: Piazza del Plebiscito, 34-96010 Solarino

Previous administrations

To learn more, see the entry of Mayors Solarino.

Obtaining of municipal (1827) to the present (2007), 86 municipalities have followed, driving of which there was a mayor 59 times, 12 times a commissioner, 7 times a acting, 6 times mayor and once each, a municipal magistrate and a royal delegate. In 1943, then, for three months, the city was subjected to the US Military Government of Occupied Territories (AMGOT); as they were to appoint the first two mayors allied after World War II.

To date, the sindacatura longest was that of Michael Gozzo that Solarino administered for 14 consecutive years, from 1882 to 1896, while the shortest, lasting just 54 days, from January 5 to February 28, 1990, it is up to Benito Cassia . During the First Republic, the political party that has had more mayors was the Christian Democrats (22 of 31 administrations). With the direct election of mayors, introduced by the Law of 25 March 1993 n. 81, has served as First Citizen, twice the candidates of the center and for once each, the candidate delcentrosinistra and a member of a civil list. [106]

Other administrative information

• The municipality belongs to Region agrarian n.5 - Plain of Syracuse. [107]

• Since 2010, [108] is part of the Union's common Solarino called Union of Monti Climiti along with the adjoining town of Floridia. [109]

Twinning

The City of Solarino is twinned with:

• New Britain (Connecticut), United States of America from 23 September 1985. [110]

• Aninoasa, Romania from 21 July 2001. [111]

• Moreland, Australia from 26 January 2007. [112]

Sport

Football

February 10, 2008, the 20th day of the regional championship of Second Category Group F, the teams of San Paolo Solarino (held in blue) and the Real San Paolo deployed in midfield before the derby, terminatosi 5-2 for Real.

Despite being the most popular sport and the most followed by Solarinesi, has never given great results, reaching levels amateur medium-low.

To date, the best result is achieved third place in the Championship promotion, obtained in stagione1998-99 by Gruppo Sportivo San Paolo back from three consecutive promotions (the Third Category allaPromozione in the years 1996 to 1998) [113] and only team to solarinese win a trophy category (the Cup of Trinacria Second Category, June 22, 1997, in the final of Viagrande against Messina of Giustra). [114]

This lack of results, however, has been linked not only to technical skills and competitive, but especially in economic matters, [115] since all football clubs solarinesi of the past have gone to meeting financial failure, including formations title holders.

So it was in the late seventies with Solarinese, the City first team to play in the championship-promoting in the 1976-77 season, [116] that in the meantime, after changing several names (SS Mobilburgio and, after the merger with the AC Solarino, Solarino SS) was relegated to the first category in the 1978-79 season, after taking the original name.

The same fate befell the GS San Paolo who, having averted the crisis in 2001, [117] two years after he had to give up their sports title, [118] to disappear permanently from the football scene in 2004. [119]

In subsequent years, have alternated and complemented various formations and then later disappear as the previous teams, reaching between 2007 and 2010, the maximum number of four formations solarinesi simultaneously present in the amateur leagues between Second (San Paolo Solarino and Real San Paolo) and third category (Rebirth Solarinese and Solarino). For the 2011/12 season, however, in Solarino are two football teams, both militants in the third category: the Solarinese and Sporting St. Paul. [120]

Cycling

It is the second most popular sport in the town, but it is also the one that gave more satisfaction, especially at the level of youth competitions, culminating with the conquest of two junior world titles on the road, in 1992 [121] and in 1993, [122] by Digiuseppe Palumbo. As for cycling events in the recent past, has been the scene of Solarino Trofeo Pantalica, international race (category 1.1 UCI) road cycling for cyclists (elite category); [123]

February 27, 1999, Andrea Ferrigato wins the sprint the XXIV Trofeo Pantalica, arriving place in Piazza del Plebiscito.

currently, however, the various races organized concern sectors amateur, youth and amateur cycling. Among these deserve mention:

1. Trophy Silvio Pellico, born in 1989 as a "race to the neighborhood" by a group of enthusiasts (Club Silvio Pellico) that they decided to organize a cycling race characterized by the fact that the arrival was in the street, clubhouse (Via Silvio Pellico, in fact); with the passing of the years has become one of the most important races for cyclists Sicilian subscribers Federation UDACE and later round of the Italian UDACE. Have been linked to it various side events of cultural, recreational and folkloric. It runs between April and May of each year on a street circuit of nearly 5 km to be performed several times for a total of 74 km. [124]

2. Cup St. Paul the Apostle, night race reserved for youth categories (Juniors, G5, G6, Beginners I and II year, Youth, Juniors) and amateurs members of the Federation UDACE, [125] which winds along a street circuit to be performed more and sometimes that takes place, since 1952, as part of the festivities in honor of the patron, the late evening of Friday, antivigilia the party. [126]

Sports facilities

Stadio Comunale "Pippo Scatà" and Tensostatico "Davide Triolo".

• Stadio Comunale "Pippo Scatà", dedicated to the median solarinese seventies, who died aged just 48, [127] is located north of the town and is a multipurpose sports facility, as it includes not only the football field, in Dirt track for athletics, moat for the long jump, the platform for launches (weight, disc, hammer), as well as a tennis court, a soccer field at 5 and dellatensostruttura "Davide Triolo" . Recently it has also been used for non-sporting events such as concerts, the Beer Festival and Local Products, the celebrations of the Centenary of Scouting.

• Tensostatico "Davide Triolo", structure, named in memory of the young discus thrower solarinese, who died tragically in 2004 at the age of 27, [128] is located within the perimeter of the Stadium; was inaugurated the2 April of 2006 and is used primarily for volleyball and basketball.

• Soccer field 5 "Superball", is located in the district Farmhouse, 2 km to the east of the city center, and is the playing field of the company Green Sport.

• Shooting range, is located in the resort of Cugno Canne.