Elevation 310 m (1,020 ft) Area 136 km² Patron saint Saint Sebastian | Demonym(s) Melillesi Local time Saturday 11:55 AM | |
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Frazioni Villasmundo, Città Giardino, Marina di Melilli Weather 18°C, Wind N at 5 km/h, 37% Humidity | ||
Melilli (Sicilian: Miliddi) is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Syracuse, Sicily (Italy), located about 190 kilometres (120 mi) southeast of Palermo and about 20 kilometres (12 mi) northwest of Syracuse. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 12,555 and an area of 136.0 square kilometres (52.5 sq mi).
Contents
- Map of 96010 Melilli Syracuse Italy
- Geography
- History
- The town
- Nature
- Demographic evolution
- Feasts
- Principal Churches
- Sister city
- References
Map of 96010 Melilli Syracuse, Italy
The municipality of Melilli contains the frazioni (subdivisions, mainly villages and hamlets) Villasmundo, Città Giardino and Marina di Melilli.
Geography
Melilli stands about 310 metres (1,020 ft) above sea level close to a mount (monti Climiti) overlooking the Megara bay and the industrial district of Augusta-Priolo. It is located in the Siracusa province.
Melilli borders the following municipalities: Augusta, Carlentini, Priolo Gargallo, Syracuse, Sortino.
History
It boasts a rather eventful history, the human presence apparently being attested since the Bronze Age. Its strategic situation between the major cities of Augusta and Syracuse has played a critical role in its growth. In the feudal age, it became a dominion of the Augusta County.
It managed to revive after two devastating quakes in 1542 and 1693. Since 1842 it has been an autonomous city.
The town
Numerous interesting buildings are scattered throughout the town's centre. The Chiesa Madre, dedicated to Saint Nicholas, has a ceiling finely painted with the Triumph of the Faith by Olivo Sozzi. The Chiesa di San Sebastiano, dating from the 18th century, houses various paintings by Sozzi, among which are a Coronation of Saint Sebastian and The Triumph of the Faith, and a marble altarpiece representing the Deposition of St. Bartholomew.
Nature
The River Marcellino, flowing nearby, offers fine naturalistic spots and an old necropolis. The neighboring salt-mines of Augusta were an important economic resource as far as the end of Second World War.
Demographic evolution
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Feasts
Saint Sebastian is very popular here and every year on 3 and 4 May he is celebrated with a fine festival drawing devotees from all Sicily. The Martyr lived in the 3rd century AD is celebrated by the so-called Festa dei Nuri its name relating to the fact that popular iconography used to represent Saint Sebastian undressed; in old times the faithful taking part to the celebration showed completely undressed. Today the event has lost much of its importance and the participants wear white clothes with red stripes that cover some definite parts of the body, that are where the Saint was hit. Over night, they run to the church dedicated to the saint, where they toss flowers onto His statue.