Valderice

Valderice (Zip Code 91019) is 187 km. distant from Agrigento, 227 km. from Caltanissetta, 334 km. from Catania, 246 km. from Enna, 344 km. from Messina, 85 km. from Palermo, 323 km. from Ragusa, 396 km. from Siracusa, 14 km. from Trapani which province it belongs to.

Copyright © 2004 Reti e Sistemi

The municipality has 11.193 inhabitants and its area covers 11.187 hectares for a density of population of 100 inhabitants per square kilometre. It rises on a hilly area, and is 240 metres above sea-level.

The Town Hall is placed in via della Regione, tel. ++39 0923-892011 fax. ++39 0923-891452. E-mail address is: comval@mail.cinet.it .

Agricultural and populous centre where are produced the following products: corn, oil, wine and honey.

Interesting is the extractive activity in marble field that gives a variety of marbles such as Sicily pearly, veined ivory and perlatino.

Erice, after the fights between the Romans and the Carthaginians for the supremacy on Mediterranean, lost its importance and all the inhabitants began to establish themselves in the same valley since they were given up to agricultura.

So it became an agricultural centre and was called Paparella San Marco.

The municipality was founded in 1955 and since 1958 it had taken the name of Valderice with clear topographic reference to overhanging Erice.

Copyright © 2004 Reti e Sistemi

A very beautiful oil painting painted by the famous Andrea Carreca is inside the Church of Our Lady of Mercy, built in 1640.

In the gulf of Valderice's hamlet, Bonagia, it is possible to find one of the most beautiful tower of Sicily, still now perfectly kept.

It dates back to XV century and was built as defence against piratic attacks. In the present age it is used as sea museum.