Alcamo, Historical commune in northwestern Sicily, Italy
Alcamo is a commune in northwestern Sicily between Palermo and Trapani, sitting about six kilometers inland from the coast on gentle hills. Narrow streets wind through the historic center, passing churches from different centuries and squares where daily life unfolds.
The settlement likely began in the 10th century under Arab rule and later grew into a fortified town under Norman and Swabian control. By the 14th century, the town received important privileges and expanded into a regional trading center.
The name likely comes from the Arabic word for vineyard or fertile land, reflecting the long farming tradition of the area. Local wine cellars open their doors for tastings of the regional Bianco d'Alcamo, grown on the surrounding hills.
The main town sits on a hillside and can be explored on foot, while the coastal area is reachable by car or bus. Many shops and restaurants close in the afternoon for a few hours and reopen in the evening.
On Monte Bonifato sits the ruin of a Norman fortress from which you can see as far as the Aegadian Islands on clear days. Nearby is a natural spring that has supplied water to the town for centuries.
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