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Visit Butera
The town of Butera is found in south-west Sicily, a little inland from the coast and north-west of Gela.
Butera is a town with a strong vocation for tourism and is an area with many points of interest, from religious buildings to the Necropolis; from the Castle of Falconara to “Marina di Butera”.
Our visit to Butera can begin from the castle, situated in the town. Some parts of the castle are now incorporated into newer structures, including some rooms with vaulted ceilings. Of artistic value is the tower (in which a mullioned window is still visible), that contains several rooms with sculptural decorations - among them stands out the Santapau coat of arma, consisting of a two-headed eagle taking a chain and a sword. The large courtyard, enclosed by walls, is now used as a public square.
During the excavations at Butera three large underground tanks were found, inside of which were fragments of pottery from the Middle Ages.There are many religious buildings at Butera, and all of a certain value; and we must also mention the ancient monasteries richly provided by the Aleramici.
Starting to explore from the “Piazza Duomo”, we see the Mother Church dedicated to St. Thomas, and which houses on the high altar the “Madonna degli Angeli” by Filippo Paladino (1544-1614). The church has a Latin cross form with a dome and vaulted ceiling. The origin of this Church is very ancient, as evidenced by the central portal dating from 1195. Inside there are various items of considerable value, such as a Byzantine enamelled cross of the sixth century AD; while on the main altar stands the 'Assumption of the Madonna" and “Santa Maria degli Angeli” by Filippo Paladino.
*Paladino: The works of Paladino are a source of pride for Butera. Although Paladino was a native of Florence he lived and worked in Sicily, where he gave the best of his artistic production. Paladino had a rather eventful and adventurous life. After escaping from Milan on charges of having committed a crime, he fled to Rome, where he enjoyed the protection of the Colonna family, who sent him to one of their estates in Sicily. Here he worked all his life. He was a painter who draws inspiration from the Tuscan forms of Andrea del Sarto, with a strong taste for colour, working in Palermo, Vizzini, Mineo and Messina. In the interior of the Church there are other paintings by unknown authors, representing the apostles, such as St. John and St. Luke the Evangelist. There is also one “Deposition from the Cross”, by Rosario Tinnirello, a local painter of the 18th century.
Another church with interesting works of art in Butera is the church of St. Francis, the first elevation of which dates back to the Middle Ages. In this church there is a work of F. Paladino, the 'Assumption of Mary ", with works by local painter Rocco Martino (" St. Francis of Assisi” and "San Michele"). There is also a wooden cross with a Christ painting by Domenichino, who was, with the Carracci, a major Bolognese painter of the seventeenth century.
Some interesting work is also visible in the Church of San Rocco, patron saint of Butera, where are kept a dozen paintings by Domenico Provenzano (1736-1794), a painter active especially in the province of Agrigento.
For lovers of archaeology an obligatory stop is on the so-called “Piano della Fiera”, to see the excavated site of a necropolis (finds ranging from the ninth to the second century BC). The oldest records of Butera derive from four tombs in the necropolis: among the objects found we mention a bronze fibula with a winding arch, two decorated jugs; two vases with painted decoration.
Other highlights in and near Butera
Our cultural tour of Butera can culminate with the Castle of Falconara, located on the coastal road that connects Gela with Licata (Agrigento). Almost half-way along we find the castle, situated on a promontory overlooking the sea. The earliest information about it is the concession made in 1392 by Martin I to Count of Santapau. Like many other castles built during the reign of Martin I, that of Falconara rose as a bastion against the Arab incursions; Gela was very vulnerable, and it was subjected to a real looting in 1399; the following year also Agrigento was involved.
The complaints of the Sicilian cities towards Martin I were pressing, and at first the Sovereign planned a naval rearmament, but it went too slowly. Therefore in 1405 Martin the Younger began the project for the construction of some "Turres.” The construction of "Turres" [Towers] proceeded slowly, and not all that Martin the young wanted were built. The castle has belonged to the Chiaramonte-Bordonaro family since the 19th th century and is open to the public for special occasions and weddings.
Finally, along the route between Butera and the “Castello di Falconara”, we recommend a pause in a local restaurant, in order not only to taste the typical Sicilian cuisine, but also local specialities such as the so-called "Muffolette" - loaves of bread and fennel seeds, baked and seasoned with olive oil, salt and pepper.
See also Butera history and etymology.