Travel Guide Castelvetrano

Once a garrison of Roman veterans, hence its name, the town of Caselvetrano has become part of the island's history thanks to the famous bandit Salvatore Giuliano (brought back to life by Michael Cimino's film with Christophe Lambert, The Sicilian, released in 1987) who died there. It would be a pity to limit it to the role of gateway to the site of Selinunte, because its visit is rich in beautifully decorated monuments. In particular, in Piazza Garibaldi, the Madre San Domenico church and the very original terracotta decoration of its porch by Gaspare Serpotta. The 12th century Pignatelli Palace stands in the same square. The sixteenth-century Ninfa Fountain in Piazza Umberto I is also worth a visit. Apart from the temples of Selinunte, Castelvetrano is known for its important cultivation of olive trees of a very special variety, the Nocellara del Belice, which produces green olives with the D.O.C. label, renowned for their incomparable flavour. The olive trees grow in the Belice valley around Castelvetrano. Don't miss a tasting.