Caltanissetta

Italy

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Caltanissetta, city, central Sicily, Italy. The city lies in the mountains west of the Salso River at an elevation of 1,929 feet (588 m). It is sometimes identified with the ancient cities of Gibil-Habib or Sabucino, but its recorded history does not begin until the Norman occupation (1086). The name is believed to be derived from the ancient Nissa and the Arabic prefix qalʾat (“castle”). In World War II Caltanissetta was damaged during heavy fighting in 1943. The centre of the city is the Piazza Garibaldi, and the modern quarter is to the west. The ruined castle of Pietrarossa is a Norman structure, as is the abbey of San Spirito. The cathedral (consecrated 1622) and the Palazzo Moncada are in the Baroque style, and there are 19th-century Neoclassical palaces. The city has a civic museum with a rich archaeological collection, as well as art and mineralogy museums. It is an episcopal see.

From the 18th century the city supported a major sulfur mining industry, but the mines were moribund by the late 20th century. Caltanissetta remains a market centre. Pop. (2006 est.) 60,519.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.