Altavilla Milicia (PA) - Sicily
- Tuttitaly
- 1 hour ago
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It stands on a hill 73 m above sea level, in a panoramic position, like a terrace overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. The municipality takes its name from the Altavilla family, the Norman dynasty that founded the Kingdom of Sicily in 1130. The feudal barony of Altavilla subsequently passed into the hands of the Adragna family... #tuttitaly
Located on a hill overlooking the beautiful Tyrrhenian Sea, Altavilla Milicia is an Italian municipality rich in history and breathtaking views. With a population of about 8,818 inhabitants, it is located in the province of Palermo, in Sicily. Its name derives from the famous Norman family Altavilla, founder of the Kingdom of Sicily in 1130.
Origins
The origins of Altavilla Milicia began with the Beccadelli family from Bologna, who in the 17th century acquired the fiefs of Milicia and started the construction of the town on a hill, following a linear and checkerboard urban planning project. The belvedere and the Marian Sanctuary are among the main attractions of the town.
What to see
The belvedere offers a splendid panorama ranging from Capo Zafferano to Cefalù and the Aeolian Islands. The Sanctuary, founded in the 17th century, houses a painting of the Madonna of great artistic value, as well as valuable canvases, frescoes, and statues.
Altavilla Milicia also boasts important historical remains, such as the ruins of the church of Santa Maria di Campogrosso and the Norman Bridge over the San Michele stream, an ancient testimony of the medieval road that connected Palermo to Termini Imerese. The three coastal guard towers, mistakenly considered Norman but actually dating back to later periods, attest to the need for defense against the raids of pirates and corsairs that threatened the Sicilian coasts in past centuries.
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