Biancavilla | |
---|---|
Comune di Biancavilla | |
Santa Maria Elemosina Cathedral | |
Coordinates: 37°39′N 14°52′E / 37.650°N 14.867°E | |
Country | Italy |
Region | Sicily |
Metropolitan city | Catania (CT) |
Government | |
• Mayor | Antonio Bonanno |
Area | |
• Total | 70.28 km2 (27.14 sq mi) |
Elevation | 513 m (1,683 ft) |
Population (30 April 2017)[2] | |
• Total | 24,150 |
• Density | 340/km2 (890/sq mi) |
Demonym | Biancavillesi |
Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Postal code | 95033 |
Dialing code | 095 |
Patron saint | St. Placidus and Maria SS. dell'Elemosina |
Saint day | 4-October 6 |
Website | Official website |
Biancavilla (Arbëreshë Albanian: Callìcari) is a town and comune in the Metropolitan City of Catania, Sicily, southern Italy. It is located between the towns of Adrano and S. Maria di Licodia, 32 kilometres (20 mi) northwest of Catania. The town was founded and historically inhabited by the Arbëreshë community.[3]
History
[edit]The town was founded on 8 January 1488 by Albanian refugees. Led by Cesare Masi, they arrived in an area called Callicari and received the "Licentia Populandi" privilege from Santapau and Centelles, the presidents of the region of Sicily. Therefore, Albanian people established in that area and founded the town. The area was subsequently called Albavilla until in the year 1599, when the name became Biancavilla.
References
[edit]- ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ Population data from ISTAT
- ^ Mario Brunetti, La piazza della rivolta: microstoria di un paese arbëresh in età giolittiana pg. 59