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Visit Carini
Carini is located on a hill about 170 meters above sea level, within the chain of Mounts Ericini that from Lilybaeum ranging to Cape Gallo. Just a few kilometers from Palermo, its territory extends to the sea.
Carini among the Castle, catacombs of Villagrazia and beaches
Carini castle
The visit can begin from Carini castle, built by the Bonello family in 1094, as evidenced by the donation of the Church of San Lorenzo to the Diocese of Patti.
Excavations carried out show that the oldest parts of the castle date back to Norman times (the Norman origin of the castle is also confirmed by Al Idrisi, who spoke of "a fortress of new construction.") However the current structure of the castle dates back to the 16th century - in earlier times it certainly had a less imposing structure, since it was made with "a few and vaulted rooms (the so-called 'dammusi' [houses excavated in the rock]).
The ground floor is the Food Hall, later transformed into a library, where there are two stone arches dating from the 15th century, supported by a solid pillar. On the upper floor in the Festival Hall, also 15th century, there is a coffered wood ceiling, embellished with decorative stalactites, typical of the Catalan-Gothic style. From here we access the massive square tower, streamlined and crowned by a double lancet window.
In the east there are a chapel frescoed around the end of the 17th century and a marble statue depicting the "Madonna di Trapani", attributed to G. Mancino, a 16th century sculptor. Inside the chapel is a wooden tabernacle of the 17th century with Corinthian columns. Outside the chapel, a small door leads to to the ramparts, where we can see the ruins of a perimeter wall.
A large courtyard opens on to the view of the inner façade, renovated in the Renaissance style, on which the portals are based. The portals are surmounted by some arms of the La Grua Family, depicting a crane surrounded by quatrefoils ('luck symbols') - upstairs there are two rampant lions symbolizing the arms of the Lanza.
Other Carini highlights
The works of artistic and historical interest in and near Carini are significant and numerous.
The Mother Church was built in the late 15th century and completed in the late 18th. It has a loggia on the side, a façade with flat pilasters and two lateral towers. Radically altered in the 18th century, it has a porch on the right side and tiled panels depicting the Crucifixion, the Assumption, St. Rosalia and St. Vito (1715).
Inside are the valuable painting of the Adoration of the Magi by the Tuscan artist Alessandro Allori [1535-1607] and, in the chapel, a precious 17th century wooden crucifix with silver crown, placed on an altar flanked by huge stucco statues by Procopio Serpotta (1679-1756).
The Oratory of the “SS. Sacramento” was built next to the Mother Church in the mid-16th century, and has an interior completely covered with a stucco decoration (18th century), by Vincenzo Messina (17th century), characterized by size allegories (Faith, Charity, Fortitude and Penance left: Hope, Justice, and Divine Grace Catholic Church on the right) and smaller figures, resting on brackets placed below the windows, depicting scenes connected with the mystery of the Eucharist.
The collection is further enriched by the decorative motifs that refer to the style of Procopio Serpotta, that is cherubs, garlands of flowers and fruit, coats of arms and grotesques. On the roof stands a fresco depicting the "Triumph of the Faith".
The Church of St. Mary of the Angels, located behind the Mother Church, has a single nave with side chapels in carved wood paneling. To admire a wooden crucifix by Fra’ Benedetto Valenza (18th century), who also worked on the decoration of the Rococo chapel.
Places to visit near Carini
Worth visiting nearby are the Catacombs of Villagrazia, while for sea lovers there are the beaches of Carini.
Eating out in Carini
The local Carini restaurants have menus offering meat and fish, traditional good Sicilian cuisine. At lunchtime we must taste the "maglie siciliane" with garlic, olive oil, red pepper and a sprinkling of "ricotta", while those who enjoy fried foods are recommended the "rice croquettes." As a second course, we recommend the grilled swordfish or the classic Sicilian sausage, with a side-dish of local cheeses (such as cheese "with pepper"). For dessert we do not miss the "cannoli" of Sicily, the Sicilian "cassata", “mustaccioli”, pistachio nougat, biscuits with sesame, Buccellato abd the "nucatoli". Finally, for those who love pizza, we highly recommend the "sfincione" of Palermo.
See also Carini history and etymology.