Comune di Gela
Municipal coat of arms
Country	Italy
Region	Sicily
Province	Caltanissetta (CL)
Mayor	Rosario Crocetta (since April 8, 2003)
Elevation	46 m
Area	276 km²
Population
- Total (as of December 31, 2004)	77,260
- Density	262/km²
Time zone	CET, UTC+1
Coordinates	37°04′N 14°15′E
Gentilic	Gelesi
Dialing code	0933
Postal code	93012
Frazioni	Macchitella, Manfria
Patron	St. Maria dell'Alemanna
- Day	September 8
Website: www.comune.gela.cl.it

Gela is a city in the province of Caltanissetta in the south of Sicily, Italy. The city is at about 84 kilometers distance from the city of Caltanissetta, on the Mediterranean Sea. The city has a larger population than the provincial capital, and ranks second in land area. Image File history File links Gela-Stemma. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Italy. ... The Regions of Italy were granted a degree of regional autonomy in the 1948 constitution, which states that the constitutions role is: to recognize, protect and promote local autonomy, to ensure that services at the State level are as decentralized as possible, and to adapt the principles and laws... Sicily (Sicilia in Italian, Sicilian and Spanish, Σικελία in Greek) is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,700 km² and 5 million inhabitants. ... In Italy, the province (in Italian: provincia) is an administrative division of an intermediate level, between municipality (comune) and region (Regione). ... The Province of Caltanissetta is a province in the southern part of Sicily, Italy. ... April 8 is the 98th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (99th in leap years). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 31 is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Time zones of Europe: Light colours indicate countries not observing daylight saving Central European Time (CET) is one of the names of the time zone that is 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. ... Central European Time West Africa Time British Summer Time* Irish Summer Time* Western European Summer Time* Category: ... A demonym or gentilic is a word that denotes the members of a people or the inhabitants of a place. ... Here are a list of area codes in Italy. ... A frazione, in Italy, is the name given in administrative law to a type of territorial subdivision of a comune; for other subdivisions, see municipio, circoscrizione, quartiere. ... September 8 is the 251st day of the year (252nd in leap years). ... The Province of Caltanissetta is a province in the southern part of Sicily, Italy. ... Sicily (Sicilia in Italian, Sicilian and Spanish, Σικελία in Greek) is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,700 km² and 5 million inhabitants. ... Caltanissetta is located on the western interior of Sicily, an area of rolling hills with small villages and towns. ... Composite satellite image of the Mediterranean Sea. ...

A stretch of the Gelese coast with the city in the background.

Gela is an important industrial city and port town. One important industry that is located here is that of petroleum refinery. The city can be reached from other cities, like Syracuse and Caltanissetta, by train. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1136x852, 146 KB) La bildo estas kopiita de wikipedia:it. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1136x852, 146 KB) La bildo estas kopiita de wikipedia:it. ...

History

Ancient Gela

The city was founded around 688 BC by colonists from Rhodos (Rhodes) and Crete, 45 years after Syracuse. The city was named after the river Gela. The Greeks had many colonies in the south of what is now Italy, and for many centuries the Greeks had a major influence on the area. Gela flourished and, after only a century, a group of Geloi founded the colony of Agrigento. The expansion, however, led to economic and social strains, which led the plebs to leave the city and settle in nearby Maktorion. However, the revolt was opposed by the great priest of Diana and the exiled plebs returned to Gela. Centuries: 8th century BC - 7th century BC - 6th century BC Decades: 730s BC 720s BC 710s BC 700s BC 690s BC - 680s BC - 670s BC 660s BC 650s BC 640s BC 630s BC Events and trends 689 BC - King Sennacherib of Assyria sacks Babylon 687 BC - Gyges becomes king of... In Greek mythology, Rhodos was a son of Hermes and Aphrodite. ... For the famous World War II battle, see: Battle of Crete For other uses, see Crete (disambiguation). ... Syracuse (Italian, Siracusa, ancient Syracusa - see also List of traditional Greek place names) is a city on the eastern coast of Sicily and the capital of the province of Syracuse, Italy. ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... Agrigento (formerly Girgenti) is the name of a town on the southern coast of Italy, capital of the province of Agrigento. ... Classical Roman statue of Diana. ...

For over a century no further mention is made about the internal politics of the city, until the ancient historians note that a tyrant, Cleander, ruled Gela between 505 BC and 498 BC. After his death, power transferred to his brother Hippocrates, who conquered Callipoli, Leontini, Naxos, Hergetios and Zancles, the current Messina. Only Syracuse, with the help of her former colonizing city, Corinth and Corcyra, managed to escape the Gelese expansion. When Camarina, a Syracusan colony, rebelled in 492 BC, Hippocrates intervened to wage war against Syracuse. After having defeated the Syracusan army at the Heloros river, he besieged the city. However, in the end he was convinced to retreat in exchange for the possession of Camarina. The tyrant lost his life in 491 in a battle against the Siculi, the native Sicilian people. Centuries: 7th century BC - 6th century BC - 5th century BC Decades: 550s BC - 540s BC - 530s BC - 520s BC - 510s BC - 500s BC - 490s BC - 480s BC - 470s BC - 460s BC - 450s BC Events and Trends 509 BC - Foundation of the Roman Republic 508 BC - Office of pontifex maximus created... This article is in need of attention. ... Leontini (mod. ... The primary use of “Naxos” is as the name of a Greek island in the Cyclades. ... Messina, Italy Strait of Messina, Italy. ... Map of central Mediterranean Sea, showing location of Syracuse on the island of Sicily. ... Corinth, or Korinth (Greek: Κόρινθος, Kórinthos; see also List of traditional Greek place names) is a Greek city-state, on the Isthmus of Corinth, the narrow stretch of land that joins the Peloponnesus to the mainland of Greece. ... (This article is about the Greek island known in English as Corfu. ... Camarina is an ancient city of Sicily, situated on the south coast, about 17 miles South East of Gela (Terranova). ... Centuries: 6th century BC - 5th century BC - 4th century BC Decades: 540s BC 530s BC 520s BC 510s BC 500s BC - 490s BC - 480s BC 470s BC 460s BC 450s BC 440s BC Years: 497 BC 496 BC 495 BC 494 BC 493 BC - 492 BC - 491 BC 490 BC... Centuries: 6th century BC - 5th century BC - 4th century BC Decades: 540s BC 530s BC 520s BC 510s BC 500s BC - 490s BC - 480s BC 470s BC 460s BC 450s BC 440s BC Years: 496 BC 495 BC 494 BC 493 BC 492 BC - 491 BC - 490 BC 489 BC... According to Thucydides (vi:2), before the arrival of Greek colonists, the Sicels (or Siculi) were one of the three tribes who inhabited Sicily: the Sicels (Greek Sikeloi) in eastern Sicily (as well as southern Italy), who spoke an Indo-European language, and the Sicani (Greek Sikanoi) and Elymi (Greek...

Hippocrates was succeeded by Gelo, who, in 484, conquered Syracuse and moved his seat of government there. His brother Hiero was given control over Gela. When Theron of Agrigento conquered Himera and a Carthaginian army disembarked in Sicily to counter him, he asked for help from Gela and Syracuse. Gelo and Hiero were victorious in the subsequent battle of Himera, in which the Carthaginian leader Hamilcar lost his life. Gelo (d. ... Centuries: 6th century BC - 5th century BC - 4th century BC Decades: 530s BC 520s BC 510s BC 500s BC 490s BC - 480s BC - 470s BC 460s BC 450s BC 440s BC 430s BC Years: 489 BC 488 BC 487 BC 486 BC 485 BC - 484 BC - 483 BC 482 BC... Hiero I was the brother of Gelo and tyrant of Syracuse from 478 to 467 BC. During his Carlos reign he greatly increased the power of Syracuse. ... Theron can mean:- Charlize Theron is a South African actress. ... Himera is located on the northern coast of Sicily. ... Ruins of Roman-era Carthage For other uses, see Carthage (disambiguation). ... Two notable battles were fought in the ancient world at Himera in Sicily: Battle of Himera (480 BC) Battle of Himera (311 BC) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

After the death of Gelo (478 BC), Hiero moved to Syracuse, leaving Gela to Polyzelos. Thenceforth the history of the city becomes uncertain: it has been suggested that the citizens freed themselves from the rule of tyrants and established a democratic government.

Many of the Geloi returned from Syracuse in this period, and the city regained part of its power: Aischylos died in this city in 456 BC. Gela was at the head of Sicilian league the pushed back the Atheniese attempt to conquer the island in 424 (see Sicilian Expedition). This article is about the ancient Greek playwright. ... Centuries: 4th century BC - 5th century BC - 6th century BC Decades: 500s BC 490s BC 480s BC 470s BC 460s BC - 450s BC - 440s BC 430s BC 420s BC 410s BC 400s BC Years: 461 BC 460 BC 459 BC 458 BC 457 BC - 456 BC - 455 BC 454 BC... Evzones Athens (Greek: Αθήνα, Athína IPA: ) is the capital and largest city of Greece. ... Centuries: 6th century BC - 5th century BC - 4th century BC Decades: 470s BC 460s BC 450s BC 440s BC 430s BC - 420s BC - 410s BC 400s BC 390s BC 380s BC 370s BC Years: 429 BC 428 BC 427 BC 426 BC 425 BC - 424 BC - 423 BC 422 BC... The Sicilian Expedition was an Athenian expedition to Sicily from 415 BC to 413 BC, during the Peloponnesian War. ...

In 406 the Carthaginians conquered Agrigento and destroyed it. Gela asked for the help of Dionysius I of Syracuse. However, for unknown reasons, the latter did not arrive in time and, after heroic deeds, Gela was turned into ruins and its treasures sacked (405). The survivors took refuge in Syracuse. In 397 they returned home and joined Dionysius II in his struggle for the freedom from the invaders, and in 383 BC they saw their independence acknowledged. Centuries: 6th century BC - 5th century BC - 4th 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: 411 BC 410 BC 409 BC 408 BC 407 BC - 406 BC - 405 BC 404 BC... Headline text 1649874 Dionysius I or Dionysius the Elder (c. ... Centuries: 6th century BC - 5th century BC - 4th 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: 410 BC 409 BC 408 BC 407 BC 406 BC - 405 BC - 404 BC 403 BC... Centuries: 5th century BC - 4th century BC - 3rd century BC Decades: 440s BC 430s BC 420s BC 410s BC 400s BC - 390s BC - 380s BC 370s BC 360s BC 350s BC 340s BC Years: 402 BC 401 BC 400 BC 399 BC 398 BC - 397 BC - 396 BC 395 BC... Dionysius the Younger or Dionysius II (c. ... Centuries: 5th century BC - 4th century BC - 3rd century BC Decades: 430s BC 420s BC 410s BC 400s BC 390s BC - 380s BC - 370s BC 360s BC 350s BC 340s BC 330s BC Years: 388 BC 387 BC 386 BC 385 BC 384 BC - 383 BC - 382 BC 381 BC...

Under Agathocles (317-289 BC) the city suffered again for internal strife between the general population and the aristocrats. When the Carthaginians arrived in 311 BC, they met little resistance and captured the city with the help of the aristoi. In 282 BC Phintias of Agrigento, who had founded a city next to the modern Licata, destroyed ruthlessly Gela to crush forever its power. For the grindcore band, see Agathocles (band) Agathocles (361 BC - 289 BC), tyrant of Syracuse (317 BC - 289 BC) and king of Sicily (304 BC - 289 BC). ... Centuries: 5th century BC - 4th century BC - 3rd century BC Decades: 360s BC 350s BC 340s BC 330s BC 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC 260s BC 322 BC 321 BC 320 BC 319 BC 318 BC 317 BC 316 BC 315 BC 314... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 330s BC 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC - 280s BC - 270s BC 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 294 BC 293 BC 292 BC 291 BC 290 BC 289 BC 288 BC 287 BC 286... Centuries: 5th century BC - 4th century BC - 3rd century BC Decades: 360s BC 350s BC 340s BC 330s BC 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC 260s BC 316 BC 315 BC 314 BC 313 BC 312 BC 311 BC 310 BC 309 BC 308... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 330s BC 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC - 280s BC - 270s BC 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 287 BC 286 BC 285 BC 284 BC 283 BC 282 BC 281 BC 280 BC 279... Licata (called Phintias in ancient times) is a city located in southern Sicily, Italy, with a population over 40000. ... Licata (called Phintias in ancient times) is a city located in southern Sicily, Italy, with a population over 40000. ...

Roman, Byzantine and Mediaeval Gela

The city subsequently disappeared from the chronicles. Under the Roman domination a small settlement still existed, which is mentioned by Virgil, Pliny the Elder, Cicero and Strabo. Later it was a Byzantine minor center. Under the Arab it was known as "City of Columns". A sculpture of Virgil, probably from the 1st century AD. For other uses, see Virgil (disambiguation). ... Pliny the Elder: an imaginative 19c portrait. ... Cicero at about age 60, from an ancient marble bust Marcus Tullius Cicero (IPA: ; Classical pronunciation:  ; January 3, 106 BC – December 7, 43 BC) was an orator, statesman, political theorist, lawyer and philosopher of Ancient Rome. ... The Greek geographer Strabo in a 16th century engraving. ...

The "Castelluccio" ("Little Castle") of Gela.

The later city was founded in AD 1233 by Frederick II by the name Terranova, by which it remained known until 1928. The new settlement was west of the ancient Gela, andwas provided with a castle and a line of walls. Terranova, also known as Heracles, was a royal possession until 1369, when King Frederick III of Aragon gave it to Manfredi III Chiaramonte. In 1401, however, it was confiscated after the treason of Andrea Chiaramonte, and assigned to several Aragonese feudataries. In 1530 the title of Marquis of Terranova was created for Giovanni Tagliavia Aragona, and in 1561 his son Carlo obtained the title of Duke. The Terranova Aragona held the city until 1640, when the marriage of Giovanna Tagliavia Aragona and Ettore Pignatelli give the possession to the latter's family. The Pignatelli held the fief until 1812. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1320x810, 148 KB) il Castelluccio di Gela (Sicily) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Gela ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1320x810, 148 KB) il Castelluccio di Gela (Sicily) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Gela ... // Events Fortress of Kalan built. ... Frederick II (December 26, 1194 – December 13, 1250), Holy Roman Emperor of the Hohenstaufen dynasty, was pretender to the title of King of the Romans from 1212, unopposed holder of that monarchy from 1215, and Holy Roman Emperor from 1220 until his death in 1250. ... 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Events King Charles V of France renounces the treaty of Brétigny and war is declared between France and England. ... Frederick III (or II) (1272 – 1337), King of Sicily, was the third son of King Peter III of Aragon and Sicily, and of Constance, daughter of Manfred. ... [edit] Events The Lollards, a religious sect taught by John Wycliffe, were persecuted for their beliefs. ... June 25 - Augsburg confession presented to Charles V of Holy Roman Empire. ... Events December 1 - Portugal regains its independence from Spain and João IV of Portugal becomes king. ...

Modern Gela

Renamed Terranova di Sicilia, in 1927 the city was given back the name of Gela.

During the Allied invasion of Sicily in World War II, Allied forces repelled an Italian and German armored counterattack at Gela in July 1943. Combatants United States United Kingdom Canada Germany Italy Commanders Harold Alexander Alfredo Guzzoni Strength  ? 365,000 Italians 40,000Germans Casualties USA: 2,237 killed 6,544 wounded British: 2,721 killed 10,122 wounded Canada: 562 killed 1,848 wounded Total:23,934 Casualties Germany: ? killed ? wounded Italy: ? killed ? wounded... Combatants Major Allied powers: United Kingdom Soviet Union United States Republic of China and others Major Axis powers: Nazi Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Harry Truman Chiang Kai-Shek Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tojo Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead...

After the war, a large refinery was built in the Gela's territory, as a part of Enrico Mattei's industrial expansion plan. However, if this move favoured a certain economical growth, created huge environmental damage and deprived the city of any touristic appeal. The chaotic building program created huge urbanistic and social problems. In the 1980s the area saw the increasing power of a mafioso association, Stidda, which was protagonist of a long series of violences and homicides. Enrico Mattei (Acqualagna, Pesaro, Italy, 1906 - Bascapé, October 27, 1962) was an Italian public officer and the head of Agip Petroli, the Italian oil company. ... This article is about the organized crime groups. ... The Stidda is a criminal organization based on the island of Sicily in Italy. ...

Recently a development and recovering program has slightly improved the situation of the city. The universities of Catania and Palermo have hopened sets in Gela, and the historical center, as well as the archaeological area, the seaside and the Castelluccio, have been renovated. The University of Catania (Italian: Università di Catania) is a university located in Catania, Italy, and founded in 1434. ... The University of Palermo (Italian: Università degli Studi di Palermo) is a university located in Palermo, Italy, and founded in 1806. ...

The Cathedral in a early 20th century photograph.

The Torre di Manfria.

Image File history File links Gela_duomo. ... Image File history File links Gela_duomo. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (852x1136, 156 KB) La bildo estas kopiita de wikipedia:it. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (852x1136, 156 KB) La bildo estas kopiita de wikipedia:it. ...

Main sights

• Akropolis.
• Archeological museum.
• The Archeological site of Capo Soprano.
• Greek temples
• The Cathedral, dedicated to the Holy Virgin Assunta, was rebuilt in 1766-1794 over a pre-existing small church of Madonna della Platea. It has two orders façade with Doric and Ionic semi-columns. The interior, with a nave and two aisles, houses a wood with the Transit of the Virgin by Deodato Guidaccia and other 18th centuries canvas.

The Greeks began to build monumental temples in the first half of the 8th century BC. The temples of Hera at Samos and of Poseidon at Isthmia were among the first erected. ...

Bounding communes

• Acate
• Butera
• Caltagirone
• Mazzarino
• Niscemi

Country Italy Region Sicily Province Ragusa (RG) Mayor Elevation m Area km² Population  - Total  - Density /km² Time zone CET, UTC+1 Coordinates , Gentilic Dialing code Postal code Acate is a small town in the south of Sicily in the Province of Ragusa. ... Butera is an Italian town and comune in the province of Caltanissetta, in the southwestern part of the island of Sicily. ... Caltagirone is a town and comune in the province of Catania, on the island (and region) of Sicily, about 70 km SW of Catania. ... Mazzarino is a city in the province of Caltanissetta in the region of Sicily, Italy. ... Niscemi is a town in the province of Caltanissetta, Sicily, Italy. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Gela

• GelaLive.com - Gela's Web Portal
• Mapquest - Gela
• Information on archeology at Gela (English) (Italian)

Sicily · Communes of the province of Caltanissetta

Acquaviva Platani | Bompensiere | Butera | Caltanissetta | Campofranco | Delia | Gela | Marianopoli | Mazzarino | Milena | Montedoro | Mussomeli | Niscemi | Resuttano | Riesi | San Cataldo | Santa Caterina Villarmosa | Serradifalco | Sommatino | Sutera | Vallelunga Pratameno | Villalba