Aci Castello

Aci Castello
Aci Castello; Jaci Casteḍḍu (Sicilian)
	Comune
	Comune di Aci Castello
	The Castello Normanno at Aci Castello
	Coat of arms
	Location of Aci Castello
	Aci Castello Location of Aci Castello in Italy Aci Castello Aci Castello (Sicily)
	Coordinates: 37°33′20″N 15°08′45″E
Country	Italy
Region	Sicily
Metropolitan city	Catania (CT)
Frazioni	Aci Trezza, Ficarazzi, Cannizzaro
Government
• Mayor	Carmelo Scandurra
Area [1]
• Total	8 km2 (3 sq mi)
Elevation	15 m (49 ft)
Population (30 April 2017)[2]
• Total	18,614
• Density	2,300/km2 (6,000/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Castellesi
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	95021
Dialing code	095
Patron saint	Saint Maurus Abbot
Saint day	January 15
Website	Official website

Aci Castello (Sicilian: Jaci Casteḍḍu) is a comune in the Metropolitan City of Catania in Sicily, Italy. The city is located 9 kilometres (6 mi) north of Catania on the Mediterranean coast.[3] The primary economic sectors are agriculture and industry (in Catania). The city is neighbored by Aci Catena, Acireale, Catania, San Gregorio di Catania and Valverde.

History

Panoramic view of the Norman castle of Aci Castello in 1990.

The town of Aci Castello developed around the castle, which was built in 1076 by the Normans upon the foundations of a 7th-century Byzantine fortification.[3][4] In 1169, Aci Castello started to expand after an eruption of Mount Etna made the towns in its vicinity uninhabitable. The castle later became the property of the bishops of Catania.

In 1296, Roger of Lauria, admiral of the Aragonese fleet during the War of the Sicilian Vespers, was granted the fief of Aci and its castle as a reward for his faithful service to King Frederick III of Sicily. When relations between the two men soured and di Lauria transferred his loyalties to the Angevins, the castle was besieged and captured by King Frederick and di Lauria stripped of his fiefs. In 1320, the castle and Aci were taken from Roger's descendant, Margaret of Lauria and given to Blasco II de Alagona. Whilst the latter was away defending Palermo from the attacking Angevins, Bertrando di Balzo sacked Aci in his absence.

Main sights

The Norman Castle, built from 1076 to 1081. It now serves as a museum.
The borough Aci Trezza with a beach
Church of St. Joseph (18th century)
Greek Necropolis [5]

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References

"Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Istat. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
"Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018". Istat. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
"Discover the best places to visit in Catania: Aci Castello". Citymap Sicilia. Retrieved 2019-04-08.
"Aci Castello e Acitrezza: What to see in the city - Visit Sicily". VisitSicily. Retrieved 2019-04-12.
"Necropolis". britannica.com. Retrieved 2019-04-14.

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[wikidata-16139ca327c50d72c40d8c5fd3abe706b989650e-v3-1] "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Istat. Retrieved 16 March 2019.

[wikidata-6c4193b2686f905553042f4ae1ae4934aea078c8-v3-2] "Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018". Istat. Retrieved 16 March 2019.

[:0-3] "Discover the best places to visit in Catania: Aci Castello". Citymap Sicilia. Retrieved 2019-04-08.

[4] "Aci Castello e Acitrezza: What to see in the city - Visit Sicily". VisitSicily. Retrieved 2019-04-12.

[5] "Necropolis". britannica.com. Retrieved 2019-04-14.