What do you
know of the origins of Castelvetrano?
The origins of Castelvetrano are said to go
back to the ancient Sican population of Legum and successively to the colonies
of the so-called Selinuntine veterans in charge of the victual (hence the
ancient name “castrum veteranorum”).
The town,
however, is documented only from the Angevin period onwards. In 1299
Castelvetrano was granted to the Tagliavia, who were later to become the first
princes of the city and whose surname evolved into Aragon, then Pignatelli
between the end of the fifteenth and the beginning of the seventeenth century.
In becoming
the capital of the Tagliavia-Aragon territory, Castelvetrano was enhanced with
numerous works of art. In 1522, Charles V raised the status of the city to that
of country; in 1564, Philip II promoted it to principality. In the 1600s the
city was struck by the plague and famine, recovering from it in the 1700s.
After the mid-nineteenth century uprisings brought about by regiments of
volunteers following Garibaldi, and after the unification of Italy, the
powerful Saporito family exerted influence over Castelvetrano which lasted
beyond half a century.
The
prosperity of the city as an agricultural centre is mainly due to its vineyards
and olive groves, and to the exportation of olives, olive oil, and wine. The
primary sector represents the core of post-World War II urban economy, with
several attempts to develop the metalmechanic and wood industries.
Today,
Castelvetrano is aiming primarily at improving its touristic vocation.
