Adrano is a town in the east of the Italian region of Sicily. Sicilian disambiguates here; see also Sicilian language or Sicilian Defence. ...

It is situated around 41km northwest of Catania, which is also the capital of the province to which Adrano belongs. It lies near the foot of Mount Etna, at the confluence of the Simeto and Salso rivers. It is the commercial center for a region where olives and citrus fruit are grown. In 2005, Adrano had 35,696 inhabitants on an area of 82.51 km². Its nearest neighbour towns are Biancavilla, Bronte, Paternò, Randazzo, Santa Maria di Licodia and Centuripe (En). The present mayor of the town is Fabio Maria Mancuso (Udc). Location within Italy Catania is the second largest city of Sicily with 306,464 inhabitants, has the second highest population density on the island and is the capital of the province which bears its name. ... Mount Etna (also known locally as Muncibeddhu or simply iddhu (him, as in the mountain) in Sicilian) is an active volcano on the east coast of Sicily, close to Messina and Catania. ... Binomial name Olea europaea L. The Olive (Olea europaea) is a species of small tree in the family Oleaceae, native to coastal areas of the eastern Mediterranean region, from Syria and the maritime parts of Asia Minor and northern Iran at the south end of the Caspian Sea. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Biancavilla is a town of 21. ... Categories: Stub | Bront sisters ... Paternò is a town in Catania, Sicily. ... RANDAZZO, a town of Sicily, in the province of Catania, at the Northern foot of Mount Etna, 43 m. ... Santa Maria di Licodia is a village of Sicily, in the province of Catania, Italy. ... Centuripe (formerly Centorbi) is a town in the Enna province of Sicily. ... Enna, the ancient Henna, is located in the center of Sicily, towering above the surrounding countryside. ... The Union of Christian and Centre Democrats (Italian: Unione dei Democratici Cristiani e dei Democratici di Centro), commonly abbrieviated to UDC, is a political party in Italy formed by a merger of the former Christian Democratic Centre (CCD, led by Pierferdinando Casini from 1994 to 2001, then by Marco Follini...

History

The founding of the town and the pre-christian era

The settlement was founded by Dionysius the Elder around 400 BC, intending to strengthen the power of Syracuse in that very region of Sicily. He named the town Adranon in honour of a deity of Phoenician origin. Dionysius I or Dionysius the Elder (c. ... Centuries: 5th century BC - 4th century BC - 3rd century BC Decades: 450s BC 440s BC 430s BC 420s BC 410s BC - 400s BC - 390s BC 380s BC 370s BC 360s BC 350s BC Years: 405 BC 404 BC 403 BC 402 BC 401 BC - 400 BC - 399 BC 398 BC... Map of central Mediterranean Sea, showing location of Syracuse on the island of Sicily. ... Sicilian disambiguates here; see also Sicilian language or Sicilian Defence. ... Phoenicia was an ancient civilization in the north of ancient Canaan, with its heartland along the coastal plains of what are now Lebanon and Syria. ...

The Romans changed the name of the township into Hadranum, during the occupation by the Arabs it was called Adarnu or sometimes Adarna and the Normans referred to it as Adernio and Adriano. Until 1929 its official name was Adernò, until eventually it was changed into Adrano. Several elder inhabitants of the town still use to call it Adernò. Roman or Romans has several meanings, primarily related to the Roman citizens, but also applicable to typography, math, and a commune. ... For other uses, see Arab (disambiguation). ... The Normans (adapted from the name Northmen or Norsemen) were a mixture of the indigenous people of France and the Viking invaders under the leadership of Hrolf Ganger, who adopted the French name Rollo and swore allegiance to the king of France (Charles the Simple). ... 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

In 344 BC, the troops of Timoleon fought the forces of the syracusian commander Iketas of Leontini near Adrano. During the following years, Adrano was frequently harried by Campanian mercenaries, called the Mamertinians. Centuries: 5th century BC - 4th century BC - 3rd century BC Decades: 390s BC 380s BC 370s BC 360s BC 350s BC - 340s BC - 330s BC 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 349 BC 348 BC 347 BC 346 BC 345 BC - 344 BC - 343 BC 342 BC 341... Timoleon (c. ... Leontini (mod. ... Campania is a region of Southern Italy, bordering on Lazio to the north-west, Molise to the north, Puglia to the north-east, Basilicata to the east, and the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west. ...

The Romans conquered the growing township in 263 BC and declared it a civitas stipendiaria, obliged to pay an expensive tribute to Rome. The consul Valerius ravaged the town, enslaved the inhabitants and sold them as workers and slaves to the aratores residing in the near city of Centuripe. In 137 BC, Eunus led an unsuccessful slave revolt agains the Roman suppressors, and from then on, Adrano was nothing more than part of Centuripe. Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC - 260s BC - 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 220s BC 210s BC Years: 268 BC 267 BC 266 BC 265 BC 264 BC - 263 BC - 262 BC 261 BC... For modern, semi-diplomatic or colonial consuls, see Consul (representative). ... Centuripe (formerly Centorbi) is a town in the Enna province of Sicily. ... Centuries: 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC - 1st century BC Decades: 180s BC 170s BC 160s BC 150s BC 140s BC - 130s BC - 120s BC 110s BC 100s BC 90s BC 80s BC Years: 142 BC 141 BC 140 BC 139 BC 138 BC - 137 BC - 136 BC 135 BC...

Byzantine Empire, Arabs and Normans

The township was pillaged several times by the invading Barbarians during the following years. Only through the reign of Theodoric the Great (495-526), the conditions improved due to the merciful administration by Cassiodorus. The conquest of the region by the Byzantines led the inhabitans back to slavery. barbarians is a mini-series on the history channel which tells the story of four of the most barbariac tribes of the early and late middle ages. ... Theodoric the Great (454 - August 30, 526), known to the Romans as Flavius Theodoricus, was king of the East Goths, the Ostrogoths (488-526), ruler of Italy (493-526), and regent of the Visigoths (511-526). ... Events Cerdic of Wessex raids Hampshire. ... Events May 20 - Syria and Antioch. ... Flavius Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus Senator (ca 484/490 - ca585), commonly known as Cassiodorus, was a Roman statesman and writer, serving in the administration of Theodoric the Great, king of the Ostrogoths. ... Byzantium was an ancient Greek city-state, founded by Greek colonists from Megara in 667 BC and named after their king Byzas. ...

Around 950, the Arab Musa occupied the city of Centuripe and its vicinity, and therefore, depending on Centuripe, Adrano was from then on Arabian. The ruined town of slaves meanwhile was little more than a settlement of various primitive shacks, but the Arabian occupants, which showed to be quite tolerant towards the Sicilians and very skillful farmers build up a functioning infrastructure around Adrano. Several of their buildings and structures, like the Ponte dei Saraceni (Bridge of the Saracenes) can still be visited around the region. Events World Population: 250 Million. ...

The Arabs reigned the region until in 1075 the Normans, led by Hugo of Yersey, succeeded in conquering the region against the vehement resistance of the Arab Caid Albucazar. The residents welcomed Hugo like a liberator. Adrano became part of the Diocese of Catania, administered by the monk Ansgerius. The citizens of the prospering township continued the successful agricultural and economic work the Arabs had initiated. Therefore, the Norman era was enormously influenced by winegrowing, leather work and silk manufacturing. Events Revolt of the Earls. ... The Normans (adapted from the name Northmen or Norsemen) were a mixture of the indigenous people of France and the Viking invaders under the leadership of Hrolf Ganger, who adopted the French name Rollo and swore allegiance to the king of France (Charles the Simple). ... Pope Pius XI blesses Bishop Stephen Alencastre as fifth Apostolic Vicar of the Hawaiian Islands in a Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace window. ... Location within Italy Catania is the second largest city of Sicily with 306,464 inhabitants, has the second highest population density on the island and is the capital of the province which bears its name. ...

In 1117, Nicola (Nicolò) Politi was born in Adrano. The legend says that he worked several wonders, like healing ill sheep and banishing savage wolves out of the settlement with a crucifix. At the age of 17, he decided to lead the spiritual life of a hermit inside a cave. In the morning of August 17, 1167 he died after a withdrawn life of prayer and religious passion. After his death, his body was worshiped and attributed many more miracles. After his canonization he became patron saint of the town. Every year on August 3, a colourful celebration is held to his honour. Events Taira no Kiyomori becomes the first samurai to be appointed Daijo Daijin, chief minister of the government of Japan Peter of Blois becomes the tutor of William II of Sicily Absalon, archbishop of Denmark, leads the first Danish synod at Lund Absalon fortifies Copenhagen William Marshal, the greatest knight...

Late Middle Ages and Feudalism

The arrival of the Swabians around the end of the 12th century brought enduring difficulties and disputes over Sicily and its inhabitans. The remaining Arabs were vehemently pursued by the administration, which forced them to gather inside the fortresses of Troina, Entella and Centuripe, offering armed resistance. The insurrection was ended violently, and the survivors were massacred or kidnapped. Pope Clement IV made Charles of Anjou king of Sicily in 1265, which ended the Swabian government of the region. During that time, Adrano was rather a small settlement of hunters, and the number of inhabitans had decreased immensely from 1,000 to 300. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... (11th century - 12th century - 13th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 12th century was that century which lasted from 1101 to 1200. ... Entella, the modern Contessa Entellina, is an ancient Elymian city. ... Clement IV, né Gui Faucoi le Gros ( Guy Foulques the Fat or Guido le Gros) (Saint-Gilles-du-Gard, November 23, year uncertain – Viterbo, November 29, 1268), was elected Pope February 5, 1265, in a conclave held at Perugia that took four months, while cardinals argued over whether to call... Charles I (March 1227 - January 7, 1285) was the posthumous son of King Louis VIII of France, created Count of Anjou by his elder brother King Louis IX in 1246, thus founding the second Angevin dynasty. ... For broader historical context, see 1260s and 13th century. ...

In 1282, the "Sicilian Vespers" ended the French reign in Sicily, an Peter III of Aragon became king. This was the beginning of the aragonian era in Sicily and in Adrano as well. It was characterized by constant conflicts between the residing farmers and the Bourgeoisie of the region. Adrano fell to the property of the Catalonian landholder Garzia de Linguida, and eventually, in 1286, to the ownership of Luca Pellegrino. The estates and soils of the region were subject to immense disputes between several landowners and noblemen in the following time until the 15th century. For broader historical context, see 1280s and 13th century. ... Sicilian Vespers (1846), by Francesco Hayez The Sicilian Vespers is the name given to a rebellion in Sicily in 1282 against the rule of the Angevin king Charles I, who had taken control of the island with Papal support in 1266. ... Capital Zaragoza Area  â€“ Total  â€“ % of Spain Ranked 4th  47 719 km²  9,4% Population  â€“ Total (2003)  â€“ % of Spain  â€“ Density Ranked 11th  1 217 514  2,9%  25,51/km² Demonym  â€“ English  â€“ Spanish  Aragonese  aragonés Statute of Autonomy August 16, 1982 ISO 3166-2 AR Parliamentary representation  â€“ Congress seats  â€“ Senate... Bourgeoisie (RP [], GA []) in modern use refers to the wealthy or propertied social class in a capitalist society. ... Capital Barcelona Official languages Spanish and Catalan In Val dAran, also Aranese. ... Events Margaret I of Scotland became queen of Scotland, end of Canmore dynasty. ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ...

From the 15th century on, Sicily was reigned by the socalled vice kings. Between 1412 and 1515, Adrano was under administration by the Moncada family. Giovan Tommaso Moncada (1466-1501) renovated the Norman castle and fortified it. He allowed a couple of refugees from the northern Greek region of Epirus to settle down in the vicinity of Adrano, which is how the town of Biancavilla was founded. The relatives of earl Moncada build many manors (socalled palazzi) in the centre of the town, among which is the latter town hall, and the centre of the city, the piazza, became popular meeting place for the residents, who meanwhile numbered around 6,000. Around the same time began the construction of the Monastero di Santa Lucia (Monastery of St Lucy). In 1693, a severe earthquake inflicted heavy damage to the town. Events End of the reign of Emperor Go-Komatsu of Japan. ... 1515 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Events Chimú Empire conquered by troops of the Inca End of term for Regent of Sweden Jöns Bengtsson Oxenstierna. ... 1501 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Epirus (Greek Ήπειρος, Ípeiros; see also List of traditional Greek place names), is a province or periphery in northwestern Greece, bounded by West Macedonia and Thessaly to the east, by the province of Sterea Ellada (Central Greece) to the south, the Ionian Sea and the Ionian Islands to the west and... Biancavilla is a town of 21. ... Events January 11 - Eruption of Mt. ...

18th, 19th and 20th century

Since the beginning of the 18th century and until around 1820, Adrano suffered from enduring riots and changes taking place in Italy and particularly Sicily, as was the Risorgimento. Adrano became the main administrative town of the vicinity in 1819 and hosted the local court. (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... 1820 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Italian unification, also known as Risorgimento (resurrection), was a historical process by which the Kingdom of Sardinia (ruled by the Savoy dynasty with Turin as its capital) gradually conquered the Italian peninsula, including the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, the Duchy of Modena, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, the Duchy... 1819 common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

Giuseppe Garibaldi landed in Sicily in 1860 and many reforms took place. On July 1, 1860, a town council was installed in Adrano, and don Lorenzo Ciancio was made chairman. The famous Teatro Bellini (Bellini theatre) dates from that time and testifies to the various diversifications the city underwent in that very period. A hospital was instituted as well, and meanwhile Adrano was considered the wealthiest town in the region. Garibaldi in 1866 Giuseppe Garibaldi (July 4, 1807 – June 2, 1882) was an Italian patriot and soldier of the Risorgimento. ... 1860 is the leap year starting on Sunday. ...

In the 1920s, the reformist preacher don Vincenzo Bascetta appeared in Adrano, and together with the young anti-fascist professor Carmelo Salanitro he passionately fought for the peasents' rights. Due to their initiative, large parts of the surrounding lava landscape were transformed into olive and almond plantations. Carmelo Salanitro died in Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp in 1945. The 1920s were a decade sometimes referred to as the Jazz Age or the Roaring Twenties, usually applied to America. ... Mauthausen (from summer 1940, Mauthausen-Gusen) was a group of 49 Nazi concentration camps situated around the small town of Mauthausen in Upper Austria, about 20 kilometers east of the city of Linz. ...

Adrano suffered massive damage again in 1943 during World War II. 1943 (MCMXLIII) is a common year starting on Friday. ... Combatants Allies: • Soviet Union, • UK & Commonwealth, • USA, • France/Free France, • China, • Poland, • ...and others Axis: • Germany, • Japan, • Italy, • ...and others Commanders Strength Casualties Full list Full list World War II, also known as the Second World War, was a large scale military conflict that took place between 1939 and 1945. ...

Sights and antique places

• Castle of Norman origin (Castello normanno) in the centre of the town, build in 1070 on behalf of Roger I
• archaeological museum inside the castle with antique findings of the region
• Chiesa Madre (Church of The Mother), originally a Norman work as well
• Convento di Santa Lucia (Monastery of St Lucy) in via Roma, constructed in 1596 to the order of the prince of Biscari and redesigned by the well-known Catanese architect Stefano Ittar. It contains a chapel dating from 1775. Until the early 1920s, the monastery was still inhabited by monks, but meanwhile it is communal property and partly used by a secondary school.
• the public park (villa comunale) opposite the monastery, with palm trees decades old
• the public theatre Teatro Bellini, which was re-opened in 2004 after over 26 years. It was build on behalf of the vice king in 1779 and resembles the theatre of Parma dating from 1618. It is situated on the ruins of the antique church of St Vito.
• the medieval Ponte dei Saraceni (Bridge of the Saracenes) about 2 miles outside the town
• the ruins of the original Greek settlement visitable in the east of the town

Due to the prospering Catholic tradition of the region, Adrano is full of many antique chapels and small churches hidden in the backstreets. Moreover, Adrano ist famous for its colourful carnival and the passionate celebration San Nicola in honour of Adrano's patron saint Nicola Politi on August 3. Adrano possesses a picturesque historic part with narrow cobbled streets. Recently, via Garibaldi has been renamed to corso Garibaldi and is redecorated. Events Hereward the Wake begins a Saxon revolt in the Fens of eastern England. ... Events February 5 - 26 catholics crucified in Nagasaki, Japan. ... Acate is a small town in the south of Sicily in the province of Ragusa. ... Sicilian Baroque. ... 1775 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Genera Many; see list of Arecaceae genera Arecaceae (also known as Palmae), the Palm Family, is a family of flowering plants, belonging to the monocot order, Arecales. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1779 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Parma is a medieval city in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, with splendid architecture and a fine countryside around it. ... Events March 8 - Johannes Kepler discovers the third law of planetary motion (he soon rejects the idea after some initial calculations were made but on May 15 confirms the discovery). ...

Traffic and infrastructure

Adrano is linked to the rapidway SS 121 leading from Paternò to Catania. Near Bronte, a large mall named Etnapolis is under construction.

Adrano is connected to the province capital Catania by a bus route which is operated by the FCE and leads through various towns to the central station of Catania and further to the communal beach. A rapid bus (rapido) avoids the smaller towns and leads to Catania directly over the highway (superstrada). In the summer season, a bus connects Adrano, Bronte, Randazzo, Floresta and Naso in the province of Messina. Between the station of Catania-Borgo and Riposto drives the Littorina, a nostalgic Diesel fuelled train which stops in Adrano, Paternò, Biancavilla, Santa Maria di Licodia and other towns. The extension of a route of the rapit transit railway of Catania to Paternò and Adrano has been planned and the constructions have begun. Adrano is not linked with the national train system of Trenitalia. Moreover, the FCE operates two bus routes (A and B) in Adrano. Floresta is a municipality in Boyacá Department, Colombia. ... Messina, Italy Strait of Messina, Italy. ... Trenitalia is the primary operator of trains within Italy. ...

Adrano does not possess any hospital but only a socalled Guardia medica, a paramedic station with emergency personnel, vehicles and equipment. The next hospital is the Maria SS Addolorata in Biancavilla, which is responsible as well for emergencies in Adrano.

References

• This article incorporates text from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, a publication in the public domain.
• communal website of the town (italian)