Balestrate

Introduction

You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Italian.  (March 2022) Click [show] for important translation instructions. Machine translation, like DeepL or Google Translate, is a useful starting point for translations, but translators must follow the LLM translation guideline, revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate, rather than simply copy-pasting machine-translated text into the English Wikipedia. Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. You must provide copyright attribution in the edit summary accompanying your translation by providing an interlanguage link to the source of your translation. A model attribution edit summary is Content in this edit is translated from the existing Italian Wikipedia article at [[:it:Balestrate]]; see its history for attribution. You may also add the template {{Translated|it|Balestrate}} to the talk page. For more guidance, see Wikipedia:Translation. Comune in Sicily, ItalyBalestrate Sicciara (Sicilian)ComuneComune di BalestrateView of Balestrate from the Residence Villaggio PetrusoBalestrateLocation of Balestrate in ItalyShow map of ItalyBalestrateBalestrate (Sicily)Show map of SicilyCoordinates: 38°3′N 13°7′E / 38.050°N 13.117°E / 38.050; 13.117CountryItalyRegionSicilyMetropolitan cityPalermo (PA)Area • Total3.9 km2 (1.5 sq mi)Population (2015) • Total6,505 • Density1,700/km2 (4,300/sq mi)DemonymSicciarotiTime zoneUTC+1 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)Postal code90041Dialing code091 Balestrate (Sicilian: Sicciara) is a comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Palermo in the Italian region Sicily, located about 25 kilometres (16 mi) southwest of Palermo. As of 31 July 2015, it had a population of 6,505 and an area of 3.9 square kilometres (1.5 mi2).

Territory

[edit] Benvenuti a Balestrate sign on Via Mattarella Located in Western Sicily, on the rail line between Palermo and Trapani, Balestrate is exactly in the center of the Gulf of Castellamare. Balestrate borders the following municipalities: Alcamo, Partinico, Trappeto.

Coat of arms

[edit] Coat of arms of Balestrate The Coat of Arms of Balestrate with its Norman crown, honors "Sicciara," the town's original name, with the symbol of the cuttlefish (“sicci”) so abundant in its waters. The residents of Balestrate still call themselves "sicciaroti" - the "cuttlefish people" - in honour of the old name.

History

[edit] The Spanish King Federico III of Aragon gave the territory of Balestrate to the town of Partinico in 1307. According to a local legend, a crossbow (“balestra”) was used to shoot an arrow from the water's edge, its landing point determining the border of the town's environs and giving its eventual name: Balestrate. In 1672, a landowner named Rosalia Leto bequeathed uncultivated lands to the local people on condition that they cultivated them. The small town began to take shape, becoming self-governing in 1829. Its development continued to flourish in large part due to the investments of the English winemaking companies of Ingham, Woodhouse, Whittaker and the Palermitan Florio family. In many ways the early fortune of Balestrate was tied in with the rising popularity of sweet Marsala wine. In previous times it was the place where much of the grape crop was grown for the island's famous Marsala wine.

Economy

[edit] Today Balestrate's main industry is fishing and tourism. A small town of nearly 6000 most of the year, Balestrate's population swells up to almost 30,000 during the Summer season with vacationing Europeans and Italians from the colder climates seeking the warm water and sun.

Famous people from Balestrate

[edit] Filippo Evola (1812-1897) doctor, rector of Casa Professa. Giuseppe Bommarito (1944-1983) carabiniere, gold medal for the civil value, in memory.

Demographic evolution

[edit] Historical populationYearPop.±%18611,623—    18711,851+14.0%18812,606+40.8%19013,931+50.8%19114,237+7.8%YearPop.±%19214,075−3.8%19314,693+15.2%19364,707+0.3%19515,686+20.8%19615,546−2.5%YearPop.±%19714,753−14.3%19815,162+8.6%19915,651+9.5%20015,693+0.7%Source: Data from ISTAT

Balestrate

From Wikipedia

Coastal rhythm beyond the promenade

A seasonal culinary detour