Sciacca

About

Founded by the Greeks in the 5th century BC, Sciacca was renowned as a spa town for 2500 years. The town flourished during the Middle Ages under the Muslim Saracens, and later, the Normans, both of which helped shape the town as it stands today. While the spa has been shuttered indefinitely, visitors can still soak up the town’s historic atmosphere through the striking landmarks that punctuate the jumble of charming homes, such as the 13th century monastery of San Francesco D’Assisi, which is now a cultural centre, and several jaw-droppingly opulent Baroque churches. The Sciacca’s most unusual attraction is the Enchanted Castle of Filippo Bentivegna, which is filled with Art Brut carvings of heads. And make sure to sample the local cuisine - seafood is of course paramount, but other specialties such as the local elongated pizzas, sweet crepes, or almond pastries with pumpkin jam shouldn’t be missed!