The old town is still there: the 1968 earthquake destroyed it and nobody rebuilt it, so old Poggioreale has stayed as it was, its streets in place and its walls open to the sky. Tornatore filmed here — Nuovo Cinema Paradiso, L'uomo delle stelle, Malèna — and several other productions too.
The new town was raised a few kilometres down the valley, and architects worked on it: Paolo Portoghesi designed the square, Franco Purini the chapel of Sant'Antonio. Poggioreale had been founded in 1642 by Francesco Morso, marquis of Gibellina, who the year after became its prince: the name comes from the Latin podus regalis, the king's knoll. There are 1,534 residents.
Nocellara del Belice · Arancina · Pasta alla Norma
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Next up: Saint Anthony of Padua, patron of a town rebuilt after the Belice earthquake, Sunday 13 June
Nearest airport: Palermo Falcone-Borsellino, 46 km away
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📅 Every year, on 13 June
Poggioreale celebrates Saint Anthony of Padua on 13 June; destroyed by the 1968 Belice earthquake, the old town was rebuilt several kilometres downhill, leaving its ruins as a «ghost town» still open to visitors today.
A large, green olive with firm flesh and a buttery flavour: Nocellara del Belice, sold in America as «Castelvetrano olive», has held DOP status since 1998.
Read more →Saffron rice, ragù with peas and caciocavallo cheese inside a golden crust. Round and feminine in Palermo, pointed and called arancino in Catania: the quarrel is serious.
Read more →Straight-line distances from the town centre. Tap a point to open its page.
The closest destinations covered by our editors, with straight-line distance.
Outside Poggioreale, but an easy day trip away.
