Randazzo

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Comune di Randazzo
Coat of arms of Comune di Randazzo
Municipal coat of arms
Country Flag of Italy Italy
Region Sicily
Province Catania (CT)
Mayor Salvatore Agati (since June 10, 2003)
Elevation 765 m (2,510 ft)
Area 204 km² (79 sq mi)
Population (as of December 31, 2004)
 - Total 11,287
 - Density 55/km² (142/sq mi)
Time zone CET, UTC+1
Coordinates 37°53′N, 14°57′E
Gentilic Randazzesi
Dialing code 095
Postal code 95036
Frazioni Montelaguardia, Murazzo Rotto, Flascio
Patron St. proietto
 - Day March 19
Website: www.comune.randazzo.ct.it
The Hohenstaufen Castle.
The Hohenstaufen Castle.

Randazzo (Sicilian: Rannazzu) is a town of Sicily, Italy, in the province of Catania. It is situated at the Northern foot of Mount Etna, 70 km NW of Catania by rail.

The Cathedral of Randazzo
The Cathedral of Randazzo

It is the nearest town to the summit of Etna, and is one of the points from which the ascent may be made.

[edit] History

[edit] Main sights

  • Cathedral of Santa Maria, originally built in the 13th century and several times rebuilt. The façade includes in the centre a bell tower with 4 floors, a reconstruction from the 19th century. The side portals are from the 15th-16th centuries, in Gothic-Catalan style. The right one, with ogival arches, has a little marble Madonna of Pisa school in the lunette.
  • The church of San Nicola (14ht century). The façade is from the 17th century; the interior has a late-Gothic baptismal font. In the Treasury is a Procession Cross (1498) by Michele Gambino. In the square outside the church is a Statue of the Cyclops Piracmone.
  • Church of San Martino. It has a 17th century façade with a 12th century frieze with figures of saints. The campanile is from the 14th century. The Reinassance interior is divided into a nave and two aisles with Tuscan order columns: it housese a Madonna delle Grazie by Vincenzo Gagini.
  • Aragonese Gate
  • Palazzo Lanza
  • Palazzo Scala, a former Royal residence from the 12th century.
  • Palazzo Finocchiaro (1509).
  • The Castello Svevo ("Hohenstaufen Castle")

[edit] Family name

Randazzo is a popular Sicilian surname. Many Randazzos have come from Sicily (hailing from the city of Randazzo all the way to Palermo)

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: