PATERNO'

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Paternò is located in proximity to Etna volcano, at 256 m a.s.l. It has a population of some 50,000 inhabitants. It is a city of agricultural importance with outstanding export of citrus fruits and outputs of cereals, vegetables and tomatoes. Industry is as much important, notably the food, pasta and packaging factories. The city is also a thriving craft centre, notably related to moulded clay, lava stone, wrought iron and wood objects.

THE CITY

Here, in 1073, a lava-stone castle was built at Count Roger I’s behest. Restructured during the first half of the 14^th century, it can be visited entirely. It features a solid-looking structure with a rising tower. Inside, it is divided into three levels. On the ground floor is a chapel, on the first floor there is an elegant hall graced by four mullioned-windows. Another fine hall with mullioned windows is on the second floor. A large terrace tops the building. It was the property of the Anjous, inhabited by Eleonora Aragona and Martino “the young”. It later belonged to the Henriquez, the Speciales and the Moncadas. Almost 35 metres tall, with tickest walls and a rectangular shape, it was a fortress part of a broader defensive plan by the Count Roger.

The Mother Church is dedicated to Santa Maria dell’Alto. Of Norman origin, it was rebuilt in 1342 on a basical plan in the Romanesque style. The central nave is barrel-vaulted whereas the lateral ones are cross-vaulted. The façade is divided into three parts. At its centre is a lava-stone portal with a window above; on the sides are two pairs of archs, the left one containing bells. The interior, divided into three naves, houses a fine chapel that contains a beautiful wooden Crucifix of the 17^th century.

The church dedicated to the Annunciation is also known as Chiesa del Monastero. It dates back to the 1600’s and preserves some precious 1500’s, 1600’s and 1700’s altarpieces.

Nearby is the 1500’s Church of Santa Barbara, in the square of the same name. Its façade is complete with a loggia with statues of Saint Peter and Saint Paul on its sides. The inside, dominated by a large cupola, is decorated with numerous valuable paintings.

Paternò has other interesting buildings, such as the 1500’s Chiesa del Cristo al Monte, the 1700’s Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie, the Church and Convent of San Francesco, the latter reduced to few ruins, the Chiesa della Madonna del Rosario, the Chiesa del Carmine, the 1600’s Chiesa di Santa Caterina and the 1700’s Chiesa di Santa Margherita.

FOLKLORE

Paternò is a city with long-standing traditions, boasting a rich calendar of interesting events. The patron saint Santa Barbara is celebrated by a whole week of religious and sporting events. Easter’s Holy Week is equally longed for; the Procession of the Images of Our Lady of Sorrows and the Dead Christ on Holy Friday is particularly worth-seeing. The city is also famous for its Carnival, with processions of allegorical floats through the main streets.

HISTORY

Paternò boasts an ancient history. Excavations at the area have brough to light relics dating from the Neolithic Age, some historian asserting that the city grew on the ancient Hybla Gaelatis. The earliest documented record dates back to the Arab and the, successive, Norman dominations.