Polizzi Generosa: A small town in Palermo (Prov.), Sicily, Italy. The municipality has 4,530 inhabitants and an area of 134.33 square kilometres for a density of population of 34 inhabitants per square kilometre. It rises on a mountainous internal area and is 916 metres above sea-level.

History

The history of Polizzi Generosa dates back to very ancient times. Historians have discussed, at length, about its beginnings. Some claim that it was the “Sicilian” Athens mentioned by Diodorus. Others write that the name came from the Palic Gods, sons of Thalia, a nymph who gave her name to a water spring, called Naftolia.

Many others believe that the town was founded by the survivors of Palica, the town destroyed by Ducetius. The discovery of the statue of Isis, unfortunately lost, made some historians think that the name could have meant the “town of Isis.”

Many Punic and Roman findings have been unearthed in Polizzi and in the surrounding areas; some dating back to the 4th and 3rd centuries B.C. The present-day town developed during the Byzantine period, when it was given the name of Basileopolis (the City of the King.)

During the Norman domination, around 1080, Roger, the Normand, strengthened the fortress and the castle; his niece, Countess Adelaida, Patroness of Polizzi, energized the town with new life. Polizzi was always a town-state, except for a very short period of time, and its inhabitants always defended their independence.

Frederick II gave the town the title of “Generosa” (Generous), which is part of its official name to this day. The town had its own form of government and its Statutes which, even today, are still admired for their fairness. Polizzi attracted even monarchs, such as Queen Elisabetta d’Aragona; her son, Ludovico, King of Trinacria; Queen Mary, wife of Martino, the Young; his wife, Queen of Navarra and Vicegerent of the Kingdom of Sicily, and Emperor Charles V, who was a guest of Gian Bartolo Farina in 1535, and who established the Senate of Polizzi.

The existence of many noble families and the strong presence of Religious Orders enriched the town with churches, monasteries and works of art. The town’s most important period was the Renaissance for the blossoming of its artistic creativity, specifically Ligurian, Tuscan and Lombard art, which was strongly favored by the aristocracy.

Cultural life was also very flourishing in Polizzi. The first public school opened in 1428. In 1572, the Jesuits opened the first elementary school, and later on, a more advanced school of grammar, rethoric, philosophy and mathematics.

Of great renown is also the Lancia di Brolo Municipal Library with more than 35.000 volumes, precious incunabula, and 730 volumes dating back to the 15th century.

The decline of Polizzi began when the plague stroke the town at the end of the 16th century. What followed was a period of strife between the Nobility and the Bourgeoisie Class, the so-called “Civilians” who were trying to be elected to public offices.

Polizzi was at the avant-garde for social works and public health. Since the Middle Ages, the town had hospitals, and it is one of the first towns in Sicily where Luigi Rampolla, an engineer, built an electric plant and produced electricity, as early as 1901, at a time when, even large cities, had still gas lamps.

Famous people

Many people in history, religion, politics and public life trace their roots to Polizzi Generosa: Giuseppe D’Alessi, a hero of national and international renown. He is known as the “Sicilian Masaniello” who organized a rebellion against the Spanish domination in 1647. Giovan Battista Caruso, historian. He wrote a monumental book on Sicilian history. Cardinal Mariano Rampolla del Tindaro, Secretary of State of Pope Leo XIII. He never became the next pope because of a veto by Austria who condemned his pro-French politics. Domenico Pagano, sculptor. He was an apprentice of the famous artist, Civiletti. Gandolfo Dominici, Economist. Monsignor Mariano Rampolla who wrote the first Sanskrit grammar, and who discovered and guided the literaray genius of Quasimodo. Father Gandolfo Iraggi, religious poet. Giuseppe Antonio Borgese, literary critic, writer, lecturer to whom the City Council dedicated a Symposium and the publication of its proceedings to celebrate the centenary of his birth. Nina Sardo Spagnuolo, archeologist and author. Domenico Dolce, stylist. He is well-known for his clothing designs which sell under the label of Dolce & Gabbana. Francesca da Carpinello, painter. She received the first “Silver Commenda,” an award given by the City Council to the town’s most distinguished inhabitants. Martin Scorsese, Director. A very well-known American film director who traces his origins to Polizzi Generosa.

Ecology

Polizzi Generosa rises on a hill which stands 713 meters above sea level. From the summit, you can admire and enjoy a very wide and picturesque landscape. The area around Polizzi is well-known for growing hazelnuts and for other agricultural specialties, such as tender French beans, unique regional mushrooms, tasty asparagus and tiny sweet strawberies.

On the Madonie Mountains that surround Polizzi, one can admire a real botanical rarity, the white fir (abies nebrodensis) which disappeared from all other parts of Italy during the ice age. The area can be described as containing a real treasure: a botanical paradise which has survived from ages past. On the slopes and plains of these mountains, you will find many plants that do not grow elsewhere, and one can admire the finest orchids in all the Mediterannean area.

Production

Cereals, hazel-nuts, olives and dairying products are produced by its agriculture. The main breedings are cattle, sheeps and goatish. In the handicraft there are iron, wood, wool and pottery articles works.

Festivals

Polizzi is the place to enjoy many religious celebrations and festivals.

Worth mentioning is the feast of the Holy Crucifix, (SS.Crocefisso), in May, with its traditional “Cugghiuta di la Cira”, when members of the religious society, accompanied by the band, collect votive wax candles through the streets of town.

During the summer, the inhabitants celebrate also the “Sagra delle nocciole”, a very famous hazelnut festival, organized by the local Pro-Loco Association. This popular celebration attracts people from all over the island. In September, the whole town honors San Gandolfo, its patron saint, a Franciscan priest, who came to Polizzi, in 1260, to serve the spiritual needs of the people. Many popular tales, collected by the historian, Pitre’, have been republished by the Naftolia Cultural Association in a book entitled “Novelle polizzane”.

Source: www.polizzigenerosa.it