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History of Sambuca di Sicilia, Agrigento, Sicily

The municipality counts 6.594 inhabitants, its surface measures 9.588 hectares, and its population density is of 69 inhabitants per square kilometre. It rises on a hilly area, 350 meters above the sea-level. Extended on a hill overlooking a belvedere, Sambuca di Sicilia boasts a rich production of grapes, cereals, olives, and almonds. Cattle breeding and sheep farms are flourishing. The characteristic local handicraft work includes wrought iron, wooden, and clay objects. Charming are also the hand made embroideries. Originally, the town was called Sambuca until 1863, when the appositive "Zabuth" was added to commemorate the homonymous Arab emir who had a castle erected there. In 1185, the aforementioned castle was given to the Convent of Monreale, by the name of Rahal Zabuth, that in fact means "casale di Zabuth" (Zabuth's farmhouse). Throughout the years, the suburb belonged to the Barberini family first, then, in 1570, it became a possession of the Beccadelli family, princes of Camporeale, and furthermore, in 1666, it became an independent principality. Only in 1923, the town was called with the current name Sambuca di Sicilia. Some of the outstanding monuments are the fourteenth century Chiesa della Concezione, and the Chiesa del Carmine, erected in 1530 and used as a Sanctuary dedicated to Maria SS. dell'Udienza. The most outstanding urban architecture is represented by the Palazzo Panitteri, currently home of a wax museum, and the Gothic-Catalan Palazzo Beccadelli.

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