Avola, Coastal commune in Sicily, Italy
Avola is a coastal town on the Ionian Sea in southeastern Sicily, nestled between the sea and the Ibleo mountains. The compact old center preserves a regular street grid with residential quarters, small shops, and churches arranged around a central square.
The town center was rebuilt about 2 km (1.2 miles) inland from its former location after the 1693 earthquake. The new layout followed a geometric plan designed by monk Angelo Italia as a deliberate break from medieval settlement patterns.
The town architecture forms a strict hexagonal pattern around a central main square that follows a six-sided layout. This arrangement reflects the Renaissance ideal of the perfect city, where streets radiate outward from the center and allow for easy circular walks.
Visitors reach the town via the A18 motorway or Fontanarossa airport in Catania, with regular bus connections to other Sicilian destinations. The central square serves as a natural starting point for walking tours through the symmetrical streets.
The town gave its name to a local red almond variety known for its sweet taste and flat shape. These almonds grow in the surrounding countryside and are used in local pastry shops for traditional sweets.
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