Caltanissetta

Description

Caltanissetta originated from a small Arab borgo in the 12^th century. The city is dominated by the so-called Castle of Women, with a monumental cemetery below. The historical centre of the city is piazza Garibaldi where the two main thoroughfares – corso Umberto and corso Vittorio Emanuele – intersect. The Baroque Cathedral, built between the 16^th and 17^th centuries, rises over piazza Garibaldi, and is known as Santa Maria La Nova to distinguish it from the old Chiesa Madre nicknamed “La Vetere”. It houses frescoes by the Flemish painter Guglielmo Borremans and a 17^th century organ. The Triton fountain, built between the 19^th and 20^th centuries, stands in the centre of the square.
The Regina Margherita Theatre located on corso Vittorio Emanuele dates to 1870 making it one of the oldest on the island. Its sober and austere façade hides Baroque traits typical of 19^th century architecture. The corso is closed at one end by the façade of the Church of Santa Croce, an ancient Benedictine monastery founded in 1531. The other half of the street, part of which is pedestrian only, bustles with shops and commercial enterprises.
Not far from the city centre, the Abbey of Santo Spirito, founded around 1100 by the Normans over an existing Arab-built fortified farmhouse, stands in a splendid landscape.

Position on map