Points of Interest:
Monuments: The principal secular monuments are the Palazzo Riggio and the Palazzo Spitaleri, both founded in 1700.
The Palazzo del Maltese was constructed and the end of the 18th century by Count Mario Amico (called il Maltese). It is believed his nickname derives from the fact that, although of Sicilian blood, he was born in Malta. A stone representation of the Amico coat of arms (which incorporates the double-headed Hapsburg eagle) can be seen in the buildings interior. The building was abandoned in 1968 due to the construction of a nearby multilevel condominium complex which blocked the sun from reaching the palazzo for most of the day.
The former Palazzo Comunale dates from the second half of the 18th century. At various times it has been used for a number of governmental functions.
Churches (& other religious sites): The present Cathedral of S. Antonio Abate was constructed in the 17th century to replace an earlier destroyed by the great earthquake of 1693. The front of the church, designed by Francesco Battaglia (1701?-1778), combines trabeations, columns and frames. The façade is Baroque in style. In the choir are paintings by Alessandro Vasta (1720-1793). The altarpiece consists of a painting by Michele Panebianco (1806-1873) of Messina, depicting Sant’Antonio. Other artists with works here include Sciuto and Lo Loco.
The Church of S. Michele includes among the treasures several paintings by Pietro Paolo Vasta (1697-1760).
Festivals/Feasts/Events: Annual Fair dedicated to Sicilian wines- August.
Acidalus, Fountain of: A fountain in ancient Campania. Its waters were said to have had the medicinal power to treat or cure eye ailments.
Acidii: An ancient village of Lucania, situated to the north of Grumentum.
Acilla: See Acrillae.
Acino: (from the Latin acinus or acinum = grape, berry, pip). The lowest unit of weight used in southern Italy during early modern times. It was the equivalent of the medieval Neapolitan grano (= 0.045 grams). There were 20 acini to one trappeso.
Acireale (Aci Reale) (CT): A commune of Sicily, in the province of Catania.
Former Names (if any): (Sic. Jaci) anc. Xiphonia, Acium, Aquilia, Aquilia Nuova, Akis(?).
Region: Sicily│ Province: Catania.
Coordinates: Lat: N│ Long: E.
Location/Setting: Situated on the E coast of Sicily, about 9 miles NE of Catania. It was almost completely rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693 on the E. coast of Sicily, in a fertile valley on the E. slope of M. Etna, overlooking the shoreline. The city sits on 7 platforms formed by lava flows from Mt. Etna. Part of the Regione Agraria n. 7 – Colline litoranee di Acireale.
Area: 39.96 km².
Population: 52,490 [2006e].
Pop. Density: /km².
Frazioni & Localities: S.Maria La Scala, S.Tecla, Stazzo, Pozzillo, S.M.Ammalati, Guardia, Mangano, Capomulini, S.Cosmo, Balatelle, Pennisi, Fiandaca, Loreto, Piano d’Api, Aciplatani, Scillichenti, S.Caterina, S.M.delle Grazie, S.M.la Stella, S.G.Bosco.
CAP: 95024
Tel. Prefix: 095
Name of Inhabitants: Acesi.
Patron Saint(s): Santa Venera. Feast Day: July 26./ San Sebastiano. Feast Day: Jan. 20.
Economy: Acireale is fortunate to have a diverse economic base. The communal territory is given over mainly to agriculture (cereals, fruits, and vegetables), with special emphasis on vineyards and citrus orchards. Animal breeding (cattle, sheep) is also important. There is also a variety of non-agricultural industries located here; the principal ones centering on foodstuffs (syrup, macaroni), leather goods, textiles (silks, linens, cottons, embroidery), carved lava rock, wrought iron, soap, wax, glass, cutlery, metal furniture and musical instruments. In addition, the commune also possesses pozzuolana mines. Along the coast, a certain segment of the population practices coral fishing. Port facilities are also located here.
History: Ancient Acium took its name from the nearby river Aci and, by extension, from the mythical Greek/Sicilian character, Acis. Despite its apparent prosperity during Roman times, when it was called Aquilia, the town never played an important role historically. Acium’s only literary mention appears in the Itinerary, which lists it as a community between Catana and Tauromenium.
Ancient Acis survived the turmoil of the early Middle Ages only to suffer destruction from an earthquake in 1169. Rebuilt soon afterwards, the second city (Aquilia Nuova) suffered the terrors of Saracen piratical raids throughout the 13th and 14th centuries. The worst calamity, however, came at the hands of their fellow Christians. In 1326, the town was burnt by the fleet of Robert of Anjou. According to legend, this was an act of revenge carried out by Beltrando Del Balzo for a supposed insult given him by the population of the town. The town managed to partly survive the attack, but soon afterward (1329) a new eruption of Etna forced the people to abandon the old site. The third city arose nearby, located on higher, less vulnerable ground. Held as a fief by the Mastrantonio family since 1488, it returned to direct royal control in 1531. In 1553, the crown attempted to withdraw its privileges and reduce the town once more to the status of a fief. Faced with this loss of status and freedom, the people of the town managed to bribe the king into changing his mind. In 1577, anti-Spanish feelings ran high due to the imposition of a garrison. This lead to a revolt which was only putdown after much loss of life. In the end, 17 of the rebels were hung and the town was forced to pay an amnesty of 15,000 ducati. In 1588, the Church of the Annunziata was given the status of an independent parish, further enhancing the town’s prosperity as a whole. By the latter part of the 16th century the town boasted a population of about 7,000.
Early in the 17th century, the continued threat from the Turks led to new fortification being built. In 1642, upon the confirmation of Philip IV as king of Sicily, Acireale became a royal holding (hence its modern name meaning “Royal Aci”) and quickly grew into an important commercial center. Disaster struck again in 1693 when the 3rd city was devastated by a great earthquake. The site was temporarily abandoned but its people soon returned to construct the city that stands today. Most of the oldest quarter of the city owes its Baroque buildings to this last reconstruction.
The bishopric was established in 1844.
Acireale suffered some damage during the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943.
Major earthquakes struck in 1693, 1818, 1879, 1889, 1894, 1905, 1907, 1908, 1911, 1914, 1967, 1975, 1980, 1986, and 1990.