Aci Castello (Catania Province) is a coastal town on the Ionian Sea, 9 km from Catania. On the southwestern slopes of Mt. Etna, its alt. is 15 m, area 8.7 sq km. Its population is just over 18,900, post-code 95021, tel. 095. Economy: agriculture, small industries.
The town developed around the castle built by the Normans in 1076 and ceded by Roger II to the Bishop of Catania. After the eruption of Etna in 1169, the population increased with the arrival of inhabitants from local destroyed towns. The castle later became the domain of Ruggero di Lauria and was taken by Frederick II of Aragon in 1397.
The castle was originally connected to the mainland by a draw-bridge, is built of lava stone, and still appears as a fortified stronghold, rising above the sea. It contains the civic museum which includes exhibits on mineralogy, palaeontology, and archaeology.
Churches (Acireale Diocese) include the following:
On January 15 is the Festa of San Mauro.
Some links to learn more about Aci Castello include:
My latest book on CD is titled Agrigento, Palermo and Catania Provinces (Italy) - A Reference for Researchers and is now available. With a file for each town (plus many other files), it relates the history of Sicily as reflected in the photos, records and festivals of its towns. It contains over 600 text and photo files and can be ordered at CD order.
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