| Sciacca is a town in the province of
Agrigento on the southern coast of Sicily. It has noteworthy views of the Mediterranean Sea
situated on the famous archeological road between Selinunte and Agrigento,
is one of the oldest towns in the island. |
| Sciacca was founded in the 5th century BCE by the Greeks
as a thermal spa for Selinunte, whose citizens came there to bathe in the sulphurous springs of
Mt. Cronio, which rises up behind the town. Sciacca itself owes its origins to the Saracens, who settled
there in the 9th century. Although the origins of the town's name have been much debated, it is thought
to have come from the Arabic word "xacca", meaning "water". The Saracens built the original walls and
laid out the street grid, which was later expanded by the Normans. |
| Artistic works of notable interest especially of
the medieval and baroque peiods are conserved here. Sciacca's fame in modern times comes from
her renowned hydromineral resources and to the famous Monte San Calogero natural vapour and sweat grottoes.
In addition to the enchanting landscapes, the rugged beauty of an indented coastline,
to the sandy beach and to the luminosity of sea Sciacca has also a gentle healthy cliamte which makes
it an ideal place for health cures, for holidays and for tourism. |
| Looking to the the sea and dominated by Mount
San Calogero on its east side, Sciacca is the oldest baths resort of Sicily and one of the biggest
town in the south-eastern coast. Very famous are the Natural Steam Vents of San Calogero, 7 Km away
from the town. The area was inhabited up to the Copper Age, when an earthquake (2000 BC) caused the
emission of vapor. Nobody could live there anymore and the spot had to be abandoned.
Several items have been found, evidences of people living there. |
The caves have been called after a monk who,
arriving in the spot in the 6th century BC, realized that the vapors could treat several diseases,
and provided the area with stone benches for sick people. The largest is la Grotta del Santo
(the saint's cave), where St. Calogero probably lived, l'Antro di Dedalo (Daedalus's cave) and la
Grotta degli Animali (The Animals' cave). Today the caves are part of the modern establishment of the
Grande Albergo delle Stufe. The geysers originate from an underground hot water spring flowing beneath
Mount Kronio. The vapors come to the surface along the fissures of the rock, and reach 40°C.
Many illnesses can be treated with the vapors, such as rheumatisms, skin diseases, gynecological
problems and allergies. In the premises the mudtherapy is practiced (for arthritis), bath therapy
(for osteoarthritis and skin disease) and respiratory therapies. |
Location Map 
