Caccamo, the fortress-city, an impregnable fortress guarding Sicily.

Kakkabe (horse head) was the name that the Carthaginians gave to the city due to its extraordinary strategic position. 

The social and cultural life of Caccamo subsequently ended up coinciding with that of its fortress, which was never conquered and which obviously influenced the general urban layout of the town.

The castle is the largest in all of Sicily, with its massive crenellated bastions and imposing watchtowers refined by well-restored loggias, single and mullioned windows.

Founded in the Norman age, today it is a fascinating labyrinth of tunnels and walkways, with several buildings juxtaposed on different levels of the overhanging rock.

Caccamo, the fortress-city.

Of great interest are the stables, the prisons, the theater and the famous "Room of Conspiracy", in memory of the revolt of the Barons against King William I in 1160.

From the sixteenth century onwards, the construction of numerous churches by baronial families earned the village the title of "most religious city".

Churches and Cathedrals.

The Mother Church, dedicated to St. George, is famous for three precious Flemish canvases housed in the sacristy: the "Ascent to Calvary" by Simone di Wobreck (1582), the "Madonna and Child" by Matthias Stomer (1641) and an allegory of “Five Senses” by Jan van Houbracken from the 17th century.

In the church of San Benedetto alla Badia , the rich interior with its white stuccoes and gold decorations is surprising. 

 

Noteworthy are the volutes of the majolica floor that converge in the centre on a ship in the midst of the waves, an allegory of sin.

The church of the Annunziata is delimited by two bell towers while the interior, in the shape of a Latin cross, is surmounted by a large octagonal dome and also contains a Flemish painting by Guglielmo Borremans.

Piazza San Domenico.

Piazza San Domenico is dominated by the bulk of Santa Maria degli Angeli, annexed to the Dominican convent. The interior is covered with a wooden trussed ceiling decorated with scenes from the life of Dominican saints and houses the marble statue of the "Virgin and Child" by Antonello Gagini.

There are two traditional festivals to remember: on March 19 for San Giuseppe a staircase of lighted candles is set up and a retina, a parade of mules dressed in celebration, takes place in mid-August, while the spectacular historical re-enactment takes place in mid-August called " La Castellana " .

The protagonist, chosen among the girls of Caccamo , opens a parade in historical clothes , followed by a court dance and the performances of flag-wavers and trumpeters.