Located on the southwestern hills of the Metropolitan City of Palermo, Contessa Entellina stands at over 500 meters on the northern slope of the Belice valley, between the holm oak woods of Monte Genuardo and the terraces full of vineyards. This village, which its inhabitants proudly call Kuntisa, represents the oldest Albanian community (Arbëreshë) in Italy. Its history began around 1450, when a first group of Albanian soldiers (stradioti) settled near the pre-existing and almost uninhabited Casale di Contessa. The actual foundation, however, was consolidated in 1520, when official chapters granted these lands to refugees fleeing the Ottoman advance, coming from Albania and the Greek island of Andros. Here, for over five centuries, the Arbëreshë language, Byzantine customs, and the evocative melody of the Greek-Catholic liturgy have survived. From the village, a path climbs up to the Rocca di Entella, a rocky spur that guards the remains of an ancient Elima city from the 6th century B.C., later becoming a Carthaginian stronghold, an Arab fortress, and the last bastion of Muslim resistance to the Norman reconquest. Inside the village, the spiritual heart is the Mother Church of Saints Nicolò and Maria Annunziata, built in the sixteenth century. Behind the severe facade, there is a basilica hall embellished with a splendid golden wooden iconostasis and icons on a gold background, emblematic of the Catholic-Eastern identity of the community. Worth a visit are also the Sanctuary of Maria SS. della Favara and the ancient Abbey of Santa Maria del Bosco. The cultural vitality of Contessa Entellina explodes in the festivals that punctuate the year. At Easter, the procession of the Epitaph advances amidst Greek chants and the scent of incense, while in September, for the Madonna della Favara, the statue crosses the village among dancers in Arbëreshë costumes. On every occasion, the ancient Albanian language echoes. On solemn days, women wear traditional costumes such as the embroidered xhubleta and the velvet fasquka, creating a kaleidoscope of colors that serves as a backdrop to polyphonic songs and circular dances.
Campofiorito, Chiusa Sclafani, Contessa Entellina, Corleone, Giuliana, Monreale, Poggioreale, Roccamena, Salaparuta, Sambuca di Sicilia, Santa Margherita di Belice
The local businesses of Contessa Entellina represent the beating heart of a community that has managed to combine deep roots and adaptability. Agriculture is the driving sector, thanks to a fertile territory that produces recognized excellences, first among all wine. The wineries, often family-run, have made this area famous, obtaining the prestigious Contessa Entellina DOC denomination. Working with native grape varieties such as Ansonica (Inzolia) and international ones like Chardonnay, they offer labels appreciated worldwide. These companies, like the renowned Donnafugata or Di Giovanna, do not limit themselves to production, but actively promote the territory with tastings, guided tours, and wine tourism activities. Alongside wine, local agriculture boasts other gems. Organic companies like Terre di Entella and Filari Della Rocca passionately cultivate extra virgin olive oil, almonds, and, above all, ancient Sicilian grains. Varieties like Tumminia, Maiorca, and Perciasacchi, rediscovered by younger generations, are transformed into flours and pastas with a unique flavor. Livestock farming is also a flagship, with dairies like Costiere working their own raw milk to produce high-quality pecorino cheeses and dairy products. Local craftsmanship preserves the knowledge of the Arbëreshë tradition. Small workshops carry on the art of weaving, embroidery, and silver filigree work, used to create traditional jewelry for ceremonies and festivals. Bakeries bake wood-fired bread with local flours, while pastry laboratories transform almonds and products from the land into preserves and specialties passed down through generations. Tourist hospitality, although discreet, is growing. Agritourisms and B&Bs converted from ancient farmhouses offer an authentic experience, allowing visitors to participate in seasonal harvests, cooking workshops, or walks among the vineyards. This entrepreneurial fabric, simple but tenacious, is deeply rooted in local culture and oriented towards sustainable valorization of the territory, transforming the fruits of the land into the gold of Contessa Entellina.
The territory of Contessa Entellina, with a population of 1473 inhabitants in 2023, appears as a place of small dimensions but with a large territorial surface of 136.4759 sq km. The gender distribution is balanced, with 720 males and 753 females. The presence of foreigners is minimal, with only 12 individuals. From a housing point of view, the occupied dwellings as of December 31, 2021 are 684, while the unoccupied ones are 788, for a total of 1472 dwellings. The accommodation facilities are limited, with only one farmhouse and one bed & breakfast, for a total of 20 available beds. The altimetric bands of the territory show a predominance of areas between 300 and 599 meters above sea level, which constitute 50.58% of the total area, followed by bands between 600 and 899 meters (15.22%) and between 900 and 1199 meters (4.24%). From a tourist point of view, the territory of Contessa Entellina offers few investment opportunities in the hotel sector, but could attract tourists interested in rural and food and wine tourism experiences, given the presence of a farmhouse and a bed & breakfast. Furthermore, the presence of a cultural heritage to be enhanced could attract visitors interested in the history and tradition of the place. The critical issues of the territory could be represented by the limited presence of accommodation facilities and the poor diversification of the tourist offer. However, the small size and tranquility of the place could represent an opportunity for investments in the real estate sector, for example for the creation of tourist residences or holiday homes. In conclusion, the territory of Contessa Entellina appears as a place with potential for development in the tourism and real estate sectors, thanks to its small size, the presence of a cultural heritage, and the tranquility of the context. Investors interested in rural and food and wine tourism experiences could find interesting opportunities to explore in this territory.
Contessa Entellina offers visitors an authentic journey to the heart of Sicily, enriched by an Albanian soul that can be felt in every corner of the town. The village, nestled among hills and vineyards, stands out for its compact urban layout, with stone alleys, medieval arches, and houses with an ancient flavor. The religious heritage is one of the most precious treasures. The main attraction is the Mother Church dedicated to the Most Holy Annunciation and St. Nicholas, built in 1520 and the heart of the parish of the Greek-Byzantine rite. Inside, the splendid golden wooden iconostasis, the icons, and the imprint of the Eastern liturgy capture attention for their beauty and deep cultural significance. A few steps away is the monumental complex of the Abbey of Santa Maria del Bosco, another must-see stop. The spirituality of the place is enhanced during celebrations, when the Arbëreshë language and Byzantine chants create a unique atmosphere. A few kilometers from the center, the Rocca di Entella offers an extraordinary spectacle for history and nature lovers. Here, among ancient ruins and breathtaking views, are the remains of a fortified Elima city, later an Arab and Norman stronghold. The artifacts found on the site, including the famous bronze tablets of the "Decrees of Nakone," are housed in the Municipal Antiquarium, which provides a complete overview of the territory's millennia-old history. For nature lovers, the surroundings are a network of trails: cultivated hills, holm oak forests, and Mediterranean scrub alternate with terraced vineyards and centuries-old olive groves. Excursions can lead to the ruins of the Castle of Calatamauro, which overlooks the valley offering another immersion in the past. Throughout the year, patronal feasts and festivals enliven the town with Arbëreshë music, costumes, and gastronomic specialties. Contessa Entellina welcomes the traveler with a unique mix of history, culture, and nature, offering an experience of slow and conscious tourism, deeply rooted in tradition.
