Galati Mamertino

Galati Mamertino (Zip Code 98070) is 232 km. distant from Agrigento, 176 km. from Caltanissetta, 114 km. from Catania, 145 km. from Enna, 137 km. from Messina, which province it belongs to, 174 km. from Palermo, 218 km. from Ragusa, 172 km. from Siracusa, 273 km. from Trapani.

The municipality has 3.359 inhabitants and an area of 3.906 hectares for a population density of 86 inhabitants per square kilometre. It rises on a mountainous inland area and is 800 metres above sea-level.

The Town Hall is placed in via Roma, tel. ++39 0941-434926 fax. ++39 0941-434677.

Placed on a hill that overlooks the valley of Fitalia, Galati Mamertino has agriculture like its main economic activity. Main cultivations are hazel-nuts, olives, grapes and chestnuts. Besides it is also present sheep-breeding thanks to several areas used as grazing. Excellent are cheese products which are produced in this place.

The name Galati derives from Arabic Qual'at' and means "rocca" and refers to the cliff which the small town is placed on. The addition "Mamertino" indeed is referred to the ancient Sicilian people who professed themselves descendants from Mars. The village rose in Arabic-Norman period round a preexistent castle.

In 1124 Adelasia of Aragon made built priorship dedicated to St. Anne whom she was devoted to. In 1320 it was given by Frederick II of Swabia, called Redbeard, to Blasco Lancia and in 1644 it passed to Filippo Amato with the title of principality. Later it became an indipendent commune.

The most interesting monuments are the ruins of the Castle Arabic-Norman made; the Cathedral Church dedicated to St. Maria Assunta that keeps a beautiful canvas representing the martyrdom of St. Agata, made by Pietro Novelli (1603-1647) and the Church of Our Lady of Rosary with inside a splendid marble tabernacle made by Gagini (1478-1536).

Important are also the Santuario of the Madonna of Trofillo immersed in hazel groves and the village Milì a typical example, perfectly kept, of the ancient Sicilian villages.

Remarkable is its naturalistic patrimony, in particular the wonderful Cascata of Catafurco (Catafurco Fall) and the wood of Mangalavite inside the Nebrodi Park.