Raffadali

Raffadali (Zip Code 92015) is 17 Km. distant from Agrigento, the province it belongs to, 89 Km. from Caltanissetta, 209 Km. from Catania, 130 Km. from Enna, 305 Km. from Messina, 143 Km. from Palermo, 153 Km. from Ragusa, 234 Km. from Siracusa, 184 Km. from Trapani.

The municipality counts 14.150 inhabitants, it surface measures 2.219 hectares, and its population density is of 638 inhabitants per square kilometre.

It rises on an internal hilly area, 423 meters above the sea-level.

The Town Hall is located in via Nazionale n. 111, tel. ++39 0922 30232 fax. ++39 0922 472255, toll free number 800727888 (only for italian residence). E-mail address is: info@comune.raffadali.ag.it.

Situated within a valley among a fertile country-side, Raffadali boasts a conspicuous production of grapes, cereals, almonds, fruit, and pistachios, exhibited at the annual Fairs held in the months of July and October. Cattle and horse breeding, as well as sheep farms and apiculture are flourishing.

The name Raffadali derives from the Arab term Rahal-faddal, that means "excellent farmhouse".

The first urban center was founded in 1507 with "licentia populandi" by will of Lord Pietro Montaperto.

The town remained under this family's ruling until 1812, when the feudal regime was abolished.

Among the monuments to visit, there is the Palazzo dei Montaperto erected during the XVIII century, and the Chiesa Madre, that became a Deanery in 1574, beholding a sarcophagus of the III century A.D..

Among Raffadali's citizens, noteworthy was missionary Francesco Spoto (1924-1964), killed in Congo by the indigenous rebels after helplessly trying to save his other missionary colleagues.