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Geraci Siculo

Geraci Siculo is a small village (with population slightly more than two thousand people) located inside the Madonie mountain range (a part of the Northern mountain chain in Sicily included in the Madonie Park - a regional nature park created in 1989). Opposite to Cefalù (which is experiencing a growing population), Geraci Siculo is in obvious decline in terms of people living there since the 30s of 20th centuries. It is not accidental that the village became a member of the "I borghi più belli d'Italia" club.

Evidences found in the countryside surrounding Geraci Siculus suggest that the adjacent territories were inhabited since prehistoric times. The ingenious population of Sicels and Sicani (as well as Morgeti, mysterious Italic people who believed to have crossed the sea to move from the Calabria region to Sicily) was colonized by Greeks (around 8th century BC) who are believed to have given the settlement the name of Jerax. The latter means "vulture" and probably related to the fact that the Castle (the original place of the settlement built on the rock) attracted these predators.

The Greek period was followed by Roman and Byzantine periods; after that the territory was conquered by Saracens. With the Norman conquest in 11th century, the village played an important military role as one of the cornerstones of Regnum Siciliae (The Kingdom of Sicily). In 13th - 14th centuries, the powers of La Contea di Geraci (the County of Geraci) grew significantly. During that period, Geraci was similar to a state in the state. The name of the village became known to the whole Italy in 15th century when Giovanni I, the Count and Marquis of Geraci, an audacious military commander became the Governor of Naples and the Viceroy of Sicily. However, with the transfer of the center of his power from Geraci to Castelbuono (about 14 miles (23 km) north), the importance of Geraci as a place started declining. At the end of 16th century - beginning of 17th century, Castelbuono assumed all central functions in the region, both administratively and militarily.

Geraci Siculo has ancient origins with the layout and architecture dating back to medieval times. Lying on the back of a rocky hill, the small town has an urban structure of narrow streets and winding alleys and courtyards dominated by the ruins of a castle. There is a number of well preserved churches and other structures worth to visit or look at. Among them:
- Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore - the so-called Chiesa Madre (Mother Church, or main church in town) built in 14th century. The church has many works of art including marble and wooden sculptures and other artifacts. Many of them, for example, silver ornaments and embroidered garments are kept in the church's sanctuary (treasury).
- Chiesa di Santo Stefano built in early 17th century. It has the layout of an irregular Greek cross and a bell tower with a polychrome top.
- Chiesa di Santo Bartolomeo (15th century) dedicated to San Bartolomeo Apostolo admired by villagers as the patron of Geraci.
- Chiesa di San Giacomo (14th century) dedicated to San Giacomo Apostolo il Maggiore who is considered the saint protector of the village and is often associated with Saint Bartholomew.
- Il Castello (The Castle): it is believed that the castle was built in Byzantine times, expanded by Normans and transformed during the times of La Contea di Geraci into a formidable military fortress. Today, only ruins of the castle have survived. In the middle of them is the Church of Saint Anna (Chiesa di Sant’Anna al Castello) that is still in a good shape - one of the oldest preserved structures in Geraci Siculo.

There are several celebrations and festivals that take place in Geraci Siculo annually. Among them:
- La festa del Crocifisso (Festival of Crucifix) starts on April 25 and culminates on May 3 with the procession composed of seven brotherhoods, priests as well as civil and military authorities. The villagers consider the celebration as the most important.
- Giostra dei Ventimiglia (Funfair of Ventimiglia), August 4-6. The event is a major tourist attraction in the region of Sicily. It includes parades in costumes of the fourteenth century, knights games, exhibition of falcons in hunting simulation, medieval cooking, music and medieval exhibition of horses, cultural and social gatherings.
- Festa di San Bartolomeo Apostolo (celebration of Saint Bartholomew, the Apostle), August, 23-24. The preparation for the celebrations starts one month earlier with Masses and ringing of a bells. The celebration itself involves two processions (one each day) where the wooden statues representing San Bartolo and San Giacomo. By the way, San Giacomo has his own celebration (though on a smaller scale) on the second Sunday in August.
- Festa del ringraziamento (Thanksgiving), September 24 - various entertainment activities on the streets of the village. They also involve statues representing San Bartolo and San Giacomo - this time, during the procession San Bartolo expresses his gratitude to San Giacomo with a bow and statues are return to their churches (during the celebration of Saint Bartholomew they are placed in the sanctuary of the Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore).