Piazza Ciullo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Features | Church of Jesus, Ex Collegio dei Gesuiti, Church of the Holy Family, Church of Saint Olivia |
| Opening date | 1600 |
| Surface | stone |
| Location | Alcamo, Italy |
| Coordinates: 37°58′48″N12°57′54″E / 37.97997°N 12.96505°E | |
Piazza Ciullo is the main square of Alcamo, in the province of Trapani, Sicily, Italy. Being located in the very town centre, it is a meeting place for people and an attraction for important events, especially for teenagers.
According to some historical sources, in 1500 a watercourse crossed Piazza Ciullo: the ditch, where it ran, filled up with water during winter, but after a few centuries the area took its present form. Today traces of the stream's existence are seen through the particular position of the buildings, whose profiles are made to stand out through the pavement lines after architect Gae Aulenti's restoration work. [1]
In the 16th century there were a number of houses with courts inside them and churches within the town; many houses were built on the east-west axis towards Porta Trapani. The banks of the stream were very suitable for the construction of new churches. The Church of Saint Olivia was built first in 1533, then the Church of the Holy Family (after 1650), the Collegio or Church of Jesus (1684), and the Ex Chiesa di Santa Maria dello Stellario (constructed in 1605, demolished in 1962 [1] and the seat of a bank now).
The area became important in the first half of the 16th century due to events such as the passage and stay of the emperor Charles V (in 1535), and later the construction of the Church of Jesus by the Jesuits in 1650, which gave the square its characteristic shape.
The present square has risen with the union of the forecourts of three churches: Saint Olivia, Stellario (1625) and the Chiesa del Collegio (1650). [2]
It was originally called Piazza Maggiore, then until 1875 Piano Sant'Oliva, and finally Piazza Ciullo, in honour of the great poet Ciullo d'Alcamo, the author of the famous love contrast "Rosa fresca aulentissima". [3]
Piazza Ciullo has an oblong shape, and it is characterised by two parallel sides, winding like the ancient walls no longer in existence. [4] The imposing Baroque façade of the Church of Jesus is visible with a large circular clock in the upper part, the architectural ensemble of the Ex Collegio dei Gesuiti next to it, then the Church of the Holy Family, Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall) and the Church of Saint Olivia, founded in 1533 and rebuilt in 1723 after Giovanni Biagio Amico's project. Just opposite the Town Hall is the Liberty building, once the seat of the post office.
In 1919, at the corner with Corso 6 Aprile, a wooden kiosk (in Liberty style) was placed that served drinks and decoctions: [5] today it is an ice cream and sandwich shop.
Until 1929, at the corner with via Porta Stella, there was a fountain built by sculptor Antonino Gaggini, Antonello's son; there were additionally two shields and the coat of arms of Alcamo in a frame with a Latin inscription. Below the square, on its north side and going down the steps, is Piazza Mercato.
In 1952 the square was paved by the local authorities. The last restoration in 1996 as part of Gae Aulenti's restoration project has led to new flooring and new street furniture, following the guidelines of the stream which crossed the square and disappeared.
The renovation of the main square of Alcamo, which also included the placing of the much-discussed ‘’green poles’’ (T-shaped profiles which light it instead of the old lamps with cast iron poles), is still today the subject of lively discussion among those who argue that it has brought added value, and others who, on the contrary, see a quite striking contrast with the older part of the square. However, this lighting system, later used in other places, has taken the name of Sistema Alcamo. [6]
Today the whole square, and part of Corso 6 Aprile, is a pedestrian area.
Alcamo is the fourth-largest town and commune of the Province of Trapani, Sicily, with a population of 44.925 inhabitants. It is on the borderline with the Metropolitan City of Palermo at a distance of about 50 kilometres from Palermo and Trapani.
San Francesco d'Assisi is a 16th-century-style church dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, located in Alcamo, province of Trapani, Sicily, southern Italy.
Our Lady of Miracles is the patron saint of the town of Alcamo.
Palazzo Palmerini is a 16th century civic building located in Alcamo, in the province of Trapani: the Palace is situated at Via Buonarroti.
Sant'Oliva is a catholic church located in Alcamo, province of Trapani, Sicily, southern Italy.
Ignazio De Blasi was an Italian historian. He was the first scholar who wrote a history of his town providing documentary evidence on it.
The Museum of contemporary art of Alcamo is located in Piazza Ciullo in Alcamo, inside the Ex Collegio dei Gesuiti, near the majestic Church of Jesus. The exhibition centre, large about 400 square metres, is on the first floor; at the entrance there are an information desk, a meeting room and a bookshop.
Monsignor Vincenzo Regina was an Italian presbyter and historian.
The House of Ciullo d'Alcamo is a residential building located in the town centre of Alcamo, in the province of Trapani, Italy.
Santa Maria dello Stellario was a catholic Church located in piazza Ciullo, in the town centre of Alcamo, in the province of Trapani.
Palazzo Pastore is a civil building located in Alcamo, in the province of Trapani.
Palazzo Rocca is a civil building located in Alcamo, in the province of Trapani.
Villa Luisa is a mansion located in the town centre of Alcamo, in the province of Trapani.
Palazzo Fraccia is a mansion in the town centre of Alcamo, in the province of Trapani.
Palazzo Di Gregorio is a building located at via Dante in Alcamo, in the province of Trapani; it was built at about the 17th century.
The building of the ex Loggia Comunale is located in Alcamo, in the province of Trapani.
Piazza Bagolino is one of the main squares of Alcamo, in the province of Trapani. It is located near the town centre and it is one of the town attractions.
The Town hall of Alcamo, also called Il Municipio, is a public historical building located in Piazza Ciullo, in the town centre of Alcamo.
Piazza della Repubblica is the largest square in Alcamo, a town in the province of Trapani. It is located in the town centre.
Palazzo De Stefani is an ancient residential building located in Alcamo, in the province of Trapani.
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