In 1968, a devastating earthquake hit the Belice Valley, completely destroying the original town of Salaparuta. Rebuilt a short distance from its historic location, this municipality in the province of Trapani remains home to around 1,700 residents, many descended from the old settlement.
Winemaking drives the local economy today, centered on the official Salaparuta DOC designation. The town also holds a notable place in music history: it was the birthplace of the fathers of early jazz pioneer Nick LaRocca and famed trumpeter Louis Prima.
Nocellara del Belice · Arancina · Pasta alla Norma
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Next up: Saint Joseph, patron of a town destroyed by the 1968 Belice earthquake, Friday 19 March
Nearest airport: Palermo Falcone-Borsellino, 47 km away
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📅 Every year, on 19 March
Salaparuta celebrates Saint Joseph on 19 March; the 1968 Belice earthquake destroyed the historic centre, of which today only the ruins of the old mother church of Santa Caterina Vergine e Martire, built between 1610 and 1762, remain.
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 Salaparuta, but an easy day trip away.
