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Gangi

Geraci Siculo

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I. C. "F. P. Polizzano"
Italy

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Gangi

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GANGI
Gangi is a town with a population of about 6,000 inhabitants. It has very ancient origins ( 12th century BC). The town straddles Mount Marone, in the Madonie mountains of central Sicily at 1011 m above sea level. It is located about 120 kilometres southeast of Palermo, the regional capital. The land area is cultivated, still some natural vegetation is preserved. The climate is classified as Mediterranean. Today it is among “the most beautiful villages in Italy”. In 2012 it received the title of “ Jewel of Italy” by the Ministry of Cultural Activities and Heritage

THE ORIGINS
About the origins of Gangi even today history and legend interlace. According to the legend ‘Engyon’ was on Mount Alburchia, founded by Cretans in 1200 B.C. who built a temple dedicated to the mother goddesses. Still according to the legend the temple became rich of a lot of a treasures, among them Ulysses’ and Scipio Africanus’ weapons. In Roman times the temple was deprived of a part of its treasures and also for the town a decline period started. Until 10 years ago historians thought that Engyon was on Mount Alburchia this also for the similarity of the two names. Today the historians do not agree about this theory. They think that the town on Mount Alburchia was not Gangi but Herbita. This until further information will confirm or belie this theory.

THE HISTORY
Today, Gangi rises on the Mount Marone, at 1011 m on the sea level. The history indicates by documents that since 1195 Gangi has been on this site. First it was part of the county of Geraci (a village near Gangi) and belonged to the Ventimiglia family, then it was acquired by the Graffeo family and finally in 1677 the title went to the Valguarnera. In the 18th century several literary academies were founded. Among them, The ‘Industrious Academy’that has been recently built up again with the aim to give value and saveguard our
heritage.

PLACES TO VISIT

The Sanctuary of the Holy Spirit is a place of devotion  and pilgrimage.

The Main Church is located in the main square. Next to it, the Gothic-Norman Ventimiglia Tower built in 1337. Inside the Main Church there is a crypt that contains the mummified corpses of priests standing in niches.

Bongiorno Palace, now town council-owned is one of the most beautiful buildings of the eighteenth century architecture.

People’s Square is the heart of the social relations in the town and also the fulcrum of the most important events  that enliven Gangi during the year. It is rectangular and paved in stone. There is a small cave with a  semicircular fountain from which a marble lion goes out to drink. The Town Hall overlooks the square.

RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS
The Holy Spirit Festival is celebrated on the Monday following Pentecost with a religious service in the morning and a solemn procession in the afternoon. It is focused on the Sacred Image conserved in the sanctuary of the same name built in Baroque style and located at the foot of the town. According to the legend the miraculous image of the Eternal Father painted on a rock was found by a farmer. the Holy Spirit is also the town’s protector. The festival is also a chance for young people to have fun since a big funfair is built near the Sanctuary. There are also a lot of stalls with everything including the typical Sicilian nougat. In the solemn procession, about forty statues of saints are carried on the believers’ shoulders from the Mother-Church to the Sanctuary at the foot of the village. When the Sanctuary is reached, the famous Cursa di Santi (“Running of the Saints”)
or Miraculi takes place in the square just in front to pay
homage to the Third Person of Trinity. After that the statues enter
the church.