In the magnificent panoramic site now occupied by Caltabellotta, in the mists of time there was a Sican city, perhaps the mythical Kamico, capital of the kingdom of Cocalo, the oldest realm in Sicily. We know little or nothing about it, and before the ancient historians could provide adequate evidence, it sank into oblivion. Its legacy was collected by the settlement of Triocala just a little further down towards the valley (where today is the hamlet Sant'Anna). The village is attested from the fifth century BC and is known because the slaves who, under the guidance of Trifone , had rebelled against the Romans during the 2nd Servile War, barricaded themselves there. An ill fated revolt, indeed, after which Triocala was destroyed.

Later, however, it was rebuilt, it became a Municipium and, at the dawn of Christianity, it was the site of one of the largest dioceses in Sicily. According to the tradition the first bishop was St. Pellegrino, who succeeded in getting rid of the dragon that had long terrorized the village, devouring the children. Just a touch of his stick was enough: the monster who lived in a cave on the Mount disappeared deep in the bowels of Earth.

The Arabs, who in the ninth century had begun the conquest of Sicily, destroyed Triocala once and for all. They built, however, in the site of its acropolis, higher up. Their settlement was called Qal 'at al-Ballut (stronghold of the oaks) and was dominated by a fortress. In 1090 the Normans managed to conquer it: they strengthened the castle, built churches and stone houses. In 1194, Queen Sibylla and her son William III , who claimed the throne of Sicily in opposition to Henry VI, took refuge here, and here, in 1302, the famous Peace Treaty of Caltabellotta was signed, which ended the first part of the bloody Vesper War between Angevin and Aragonese. It was the last presence of Caltabellotta as a protagonist on the stage of history: in the following years and centuries, in fact, the village became a feudal property of well-known aristocratic Sicilian families and was merely to follow the events of the island.

the bowels of the Earth. In the small church there's the entrance to the Cave of the Dragon, which became the place where the saint retired to pray.
The convent is undergoing restoration and will be partly rebuilt.

Pietà Church – From the road that leads to the hermitage there detaches a steep staircase that leads to this small church, built inside a cave whose entrance was closed by a rustic stone façade. The church is part of a rocky itinerary including the big cave with six rooms that houses the Ethno-Anthropological Museum documenting the lives of farmers and shepherds of the place through a collection of antique tools related to their various activities.

The piano della Madrice and the Castle
It takes its name from the old Madrice (main church). Reopened to the public after extensive restoration, this church was founded by the Normans in the twelfth century and shows a simple facade in stone. The three-nave interior has large pointed arches on columns that, originally, probably were fully painted. On the left there opens the chapel of Our Lady of the Chain that, in contrast with the simplicity of the church, is full of stuccoes and paintings. It was designed by Antonino Ferraro in the 16th century. Inside, a precious statue of Our Lady of the Chain by Giacomo Gagini. In the other chapels you can admire other delicate statues of the Madonna and Child , made by the Gaginis as well.
Not far from here, there is the Church of SS. Salvatore, also of Norman epoch and in stone. Its simple architecture is adorned with a pointed portal in Chiaramonte style. Behind it, there stand all that remains of the mighty Norman Castle, that is a remnant of a tower with a high arched entrance and two large underground rooms that probably served as containers for foodstuffs.

Church of Sant'Agostino - A fourteenth-century foundation, it was later altered: in the Baroque era, for example, there was added a portal with the characteristic 18th century style. Inside there is a ceramic group representing the deposition, with eight life-size statues, a masterpiece of Antonio Ferraro (1552). Moreover there are paintings of scenes from the Old Testament and a beautiful statue of the Madonna del Soccorso by Laurana. Adjacent to it there is another church, dedicated to San Lorenzo, now deconsecrated and used for exhibitions, meetings, etc..

Carmine Church – This is the New Main Church of Caltabellotta, and it rises on Piazza Umberto (where the Town Hall also is to be found). It was part of the convent of the Carmelite friars, but already existed prior to their arrival in Caltabellotta, in the mid-sixteenth century.
It has a sober façade and inside it has a single nave flanked by chapels. On the altar of the presbytery there stands a delicate statue of the Madonna delle Grazie, made in 1534 by Antonello Gagini.

Dell'Itria Church - In the heart of the old centre of Caltabellotta, it was built between the 16th and 17th century and rebuilt in the nineteenth century. Outside you can admire a beautiful baroque portal, while within the most important work among the many that are kept there is a statue of the Virgin to whom the church is entitled.

Capuchin Church - Part of a monastery of which few traces remain, this church is located on the southern outskirts of the village and testifies to the faith of the monastic community of Caltabellotta by precious works of art.
The most precious are an eighteenth-century altarpiece by Fra ' Felice from Sambuca, the ornate wooden altar and the Crucifix known as Dio Vivo (the living God).

The village of St. Anna - A few miles downwards, this village,according to tradition, is built in the place where Triocala once stood. It was founded in the 17th century. The most prominent buildings are the Church of Santa Maria di Montevergine, made of simple stone and with a simple Gothic portal, built in the Norman period; and the College of Mary with the Church of Santa Maria del Fervore, where, at the foot of the altar, you can admire a third-century Roman mosaic.

Holy Week - The days preceding Easter are rich in religious ceremonies and folk rituals. On Thursday, after the mass, there's the Li Sibiluchi procession. Friday begins with the evocation of the Via Crucis terminating at the so-called Calvary where the Crucifixion is reconstructed. In the afternoon the same day, a procession with Our Lady of Sorrows reaches the Calvary where the deposition from the Cross takes place, and soon after there's a procession with the Dead Christ. On Easter Sunday the Resurrection is announced by an enthusiastic St. Michael, who, leaving the church, scoures the streets of the village. "Lu 'ncontru di Pasqua" (the Easter meeting) takes place in the evening.

The Living Crib – In the Christmas season ,around the Pietà church in the charming neighborhood with the same name, a picturesque Christmas crib is set up, unifying religious faith with the agricultural roots of Caltabellotta.
The characters in ancient costumes re-enact the forgotten activities of the community of Caltabellotta, and at the same time they give new life to one of the most ancient and original parts of the mountain village.

Our Lady of Miracles and the Holy Crucifix - The feast in honor of the patron saint takes place the last weekend of July. On Saturday a procession takes place, bringing to Our Lady the gold donated by the faithful. The procession reaches the Church of St. Augustine, where the statue is kept. The Virgin is adorned with the gifts received, and some of them are laid in the Crucifix's bier too. The procession of the two statues is held on Sunday afternoon until late night.

Olive oil - Has been famous since ancient times for its uniqueness and its particular organoleptic characteristics which are due to the variety of the cultivar, the geographical position of the cultivated land and the microclimate. It is obtained from a variety of indigenous olive, the Buscionetta, small and elongated, belonging to the cultivar Biancolilla (indeed it's called Biancolilla of Caltabellotta) which is collected, rigorously by hand, between the end of September and beginning of October.

The oil made of Biancolilla of Caltabellotta is yellow green, the smell is elegant and light, the flavour delicate with hints of newly mown grass and a hint of green tomato and artichoke, with a slight spicy tone. It is particularly suited for dressing salads, fish and grills and is very versatile in the kitchen.