San Mauro Castelverde

San Mauro Castelverde (Zip Code 90010) is 187 km. distant from Agrigento, 151 km. from Caltanissetta, 229 km. from Catania, 232 km. from Enna, 190 km. from Messina, 113 km. from Palermo, which province it belongs to, 292 km. from Ragusa, 304 km. from Siracusa, 222 km. from Trapani.

The municipality has 2.408 inhabitants and an area of 11.419 hectares for a density of population of 21 inhabitants per square kilometre. It rises on mountainous coastal area and is 1.050 metres above sea-level.

The Town Hall is placed in piazza Municipio n. 11, tel. ++39 0921-674083 fax. ++39 0921-674386.

In its agriculture olives, cereals, oil, and dairyng products are very important. They are displayed in the "Feast of the Caciocavallo" (very savoury oblong-shaped cheese) that takes place in June. Wood and wrought iron handicrafts.

The small town has been called San Mauro becouse some Benedectine monks gave to the inhabitants a part of the skull of St. Mauro. In 1863 the appositive Castelverde was added. It derives from the homonymous castle built near theplace.
In the XI century it was conquered by the Normans who built a fortified castle. In the XIV century the Ventimiglia family founded the village with a typical Medieval town planning that is still now existent.

Copyright © 2000 Edizioni Leopardi

Among its monuments there are the Chiesa of S. Maria dei Franchi (Church of St. Maria of Franks) with the beautiful baptismal font made by Gagini and the Cathedral Church with the imposing fifteenth-century bell-tower.

Important are also the Chiesa of S. Giorgio (Church of St. George) and the Chiesa of S. Mauro (Church of St. Mauro) both Medieval made.

Odd is the saying "A Santu Mauru, li carvunara" to emphasize the excellent coal produced by charcoal-burner masters of the place from the good wood of the Madonie (the most important mountainous chain in Sicily).