Gangi

Gangi (Zip Code 90024) is 158 km. distant from Agrigento, 86 km. from Caltanissetta, 124 km. from Catania, 68 km. from Enna, 198 km. from Messina, 133 km. from Palermo, which province it belongs to, 213 km. from Ragusa, 182 km. from Siracusa, 232 km. from Trapani.

The municipality has 7.968 inhabitants and its area covers 12.716 hectares for a density of population of 63 inhabitants per square kilometre. It rises on an internal mountainous area and is 1.050 metres above sea-level.

The Town Hall is in via Municipio n. 1, tel. ++39 0921-644076 fax. +39 0921-644447.
E-mail addresses are: comunegangius@interfree.it diritticittadino@interfree.it diritticittadino@tiscali.it.

Gangi's agriculture mainly produces cereals and vegetables. It is important cattle and sheep breeding. The handicraft produces saddlebags, glass mosaics and embroderies.

The name of Gangi perhaps derives from Greek Enghion or Arabic Hangias that has given origin to the typical surname of the place "Gangitano". It believes that the original Gangi was placed in the present quarter Gangivecchio because many Roman and Medieval remains have been found. The centre of the present small town was built in the XIV century around the Castle of Ventimiglia. It was later ruled by Graffeo and Valguarnera families.

Among its monuments there are the Church of St. Nicola with the imposing Tower of the Ventimiglia on its side and the Church of St. Maria degli Angeli a typical baroque building. Besides it is possible to visit Mocciaro Palace of the XIX century and Bongiorno-Li Destri Palace of the XVIII century.

Gangi had an odd custom: to cover the faces of dead persons with a wax mask. Now these corpses are kept in the Church of St. Nicola.