Acquaviva Platani Explained

Acquaviva Platani
Official Name:Comune di Acquaviva Platani
Native Name:Acquaviva Plàtani
Coordinates:37.5667°N 55°W
Region:Sicily
Province:Caltanissetta (CL)
Mayor:Salvatore Caruso (since 2022)[1]
Area Footnotes:[2]
Area Total Km2:14
Population Footnotes:[3]
Population Total:858
Population As Of:24 May 2024
Population Demonym:Acquavivesi
Elevation M:558
Saint:Holy Crucifix
Day:Third Sunday in September
Postal Code:93010
Area Code:0934

Acquaviva Platani (Sicilian: Acquaviva Plàtani) is a hill town and comune in the province of Caltanissetta. Its territory, located along the south-north penetration route, along the valleys of the Platani.

The name of the town (meaning "Living Water" in Italian) is derived from the numerous natural springs in the area. Until 1862, the town was called simply Acquaviva;[4] the appositive Platani was added to distinguish it from the other three Italian towns named Acquaviva. Platani is the name of the river which flows nearby.

The economy is based on agriculture: the production of wheat, olives, almonds, and pistachios are important. Also, cattle and horse breeding, along with sheep farms provide income.

Sights include the Torre dell'Orologio (clock tower) which was built in 1894, and the 17th century Chiesa Madre (Mother Church), dedicated to Santa Maria della Luce.

Salvatore Quasimodo, who spent part of his childhood at Acquaviva Platani,[5] writes about the town in his poem "Che vuoi pastore d'aria?", which was included in the Nuove Poesie collection.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Anagrafe degli Amministratori Locali e Regionali . amministratori.interno.gov.it . 24 May 2024.
  2. Web site: Statuto di Acquaviva Platani . w49.comune.acquavivaplatani.cl.it . 24 May 2024.
  3. Web site: Bilancio demografico mensile . demo.istat.it . 24 May 2024.
  4. Book: Raccolta ufficiale delle leggi e dei decreti della Repubblica Italiana . 1862 . Libr. dello Stato . 2772 . 24 May 2024 . it.
  5. Web site: Quasimodo Salvatore (Modica, 1901 agosto 20 - Napoli, 1968 giugno 4) – Archivi storici – Lombardia Beni Culturali . www.lombardiabeniculturali.it . 24 May 2024.
  6. Book: Quasimodo . Salvatore . Selected Poems . 1965 . Penguin . 53 . 24 May 2024 . en.