Ribera, Agrigento Explained

Ribera
Official Name:Comune di Ribera
Coordinates:37.4994°N 13.265°W
Region:Sicily
Province:Agrigento (AG)
Frazioni:Borgo Bonsignore, Seccagrande
Mayor:Matteo Ruvolo
Area Total Km2:118.52
Population Total:17757
Population As Of:31 August 2022
Population Demonym:Riberesi
Elevation M:223
Saint:St. Nicholas
Day:December 6
Postal Code:92016
Area Code:0925

Ribera (Sicilian: Rivela) is a comune in the province of Agrigento, Region of Sicily, southern Italy, between the Verdura and Magazzolo valleys in the so-called Plain of San Nicola.

The town is connected by the SS115 state road, leading from Trapani to Syracuse. The Platani River, the third Sicilian river, flows nearby. It has enormously contributed to developing both farming and tourism in the area. Its mouth has been designated as a natural reserve.

History

The comune probably rose on the site of the ancient Allava, to which the Byzantine necropolis near the modern town may possibly be attributed. In 1627, Luigi Guglielmo Moncada, Prince of Paternò, founded a new centre named after his wife, Maria Alfan di Ribera; the new centre developed rapidly, thanks to the fertility of the soil and the accessibility of the area.

It is the birthplace of Prime Minister Francesco Crispi.

Main sights

Sights include:

Just outside the town, on a gorge overlooking the Verdura river is the Castello di Poggio Diana, built by Guglielmo Peralta in the 14th century. A Bronze Age necropolis (13th century BC), the Anguilla necropolis, was discovered near the town. It includes some 30 tombs in two types, "chamber"- or "grotto"-like; some are preceded by a corridor up to 4m (13feet) long.

Also outside the town is the Borgo Bonsignore, a village founded under Fascism as part of the "colonization" policy that encouraged the creation of new villages; it has now grown as a summer resort.

Economy

Agriculture is the commune's main industry, notably involved in the cultivation and marketing of the Washington navel orange – here introduced by emigrants returned from the United States – and strawberries. Such businesses are enhanced both by excellent climatic and environmental conditions and a supporting policy by the local authorities.

Twin towns

See also

External links