Castellammare del Golfo

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Castellammare del Golfo
Comune
Comune di Castellammare del Golfo

Coat of arms
Castellammare del Golfo
Location of Castellammare del Golfo in Italy
Coordinates: 38°2′N 12°53′E / 38.033°N 12.883°E / 38.033; 12.883
Country Italy
Region Sicily
Province Trapani (TP)
Frazioni Balata di Baida, Scopello, Guida Loca, Fraginesi, Lu Baruni
Government
  Mayor Marzio Bresciani
Area
  Total 127 km2 (49 sq mi)
Elevation 26 m (85 ft)
Population (2007)
  Total 14,908
  Density 120/km2 (300/sq mi)
Demonym Castellammaresi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 91014
Balata di Baida: 91010
Dialing code 0924
Patron saint Maria SS. del Soccorso
Saint day August 21
Website Official website

Castellammare del Golfo (Sicilian: Casteddammari; Latin: Emporium Segestanorum / Emporium Aegestensium) is a town and comune in the Trapani Province of Sicily. The name is roughly translated "Sea- Fortress (castle (on the) sea) of the Gulf", deriving from the medieval fortress in the harbor. The body of water it sits upon also takes its name from the fortress, Golfo di Castellammare.

In ancient times, Castellammare had been the harbor of Segesta, one of the main towns of the Elymian people.

The castle close to the sea

Fishing has been important in Castellammare del Golfo dating back to ancient times. Today the town's economy continues to be based on fishing with the addition of tourism.

The small town is noted, however, for having been the birthplace of many American Mafia figures, including Salvatore Maranzano, Stefano Magaddino and Joseph Bonanno.

From this name comes also the Castellamarese war, fought by Joe Masseria clan against Salvatore Maranzano clan for the leadership of the Italian Mafia in New York City.

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