District “MARINA”
At the beginning of the XII century, people of Licata settled near the sea inside the city walls, where the village “Marina” was an integral part of the medieval city.
But the human presence in Marina is already documented in the 9th century with the Arabs, who have left traces in culture, language and food and for this reason is also called the “Arabic Quarter of Marina”.
This period is linked to events of Limpiados seaside castle, called by the Arabs “Lenbiadh”, that changed its name to San Giacomo during the reconquest of Sicily by Christians.
The Marina consists of a dense network of narrow streets and alleys, where is easy to get lost, if you don’t know the area. Next to small houses of fishermen and seafarers, the nobles erected their palaces, creating at the same time truly striking corners.
We recommend a complete visit inside the Arab Quarter of Marina where you will be surrounded by sea breeze and traditions of district and, among many alleys, you will find yourself in San Girolamo little square, with its namesake church of the fifteenth century, known especially for the recurrence of Venerdì Santo (Holy Friday) and continuing to wander in the most modern part of the neighborhood you will reach Madonna Addolorata Sanctuary.
Sant’Andrea street represents the center of the medieval city. The intersection of via Donna Agnese and via Martinez forms the four corners of the city, still called in dialect “quattru cantuneri”.
In Via Martinez you can see a plaque reminiscent of Rosa Balistreri, a folk singer from Licata who lived and sang in the neighborhood when she was young. The street takes its name from the Martinez palace, a building dating back between the 17th and 18th centuries. Of it remains the portal and the inner courtyard where there are smooth columns with Doric order capitals.
In via Sant’Andrea are located:
Platamone Palace, is certainly the oldest building in the Quarter, which dates back to the second half of the XVI century. Of the original elements remain two seventeenth-century balconies, supported by five large masked shelves, the portal and part of the internal. On the portal is evident the family coat of arms surmounted by a baronial crown.
Leaving Platamone palace, you can notice the house that, according to tradition, in March 1220 housed Sant’Angelo when he came to Licata.
Trigona Palace, with its wide portal that presents the family coat of arms on the arch, represented by an eagle crowned with open wings and on the chest is engraved a shield containing an equilateral triangle and a comet star.
Turning left on via Collegio you can visit the last monuments:
Collegio di Maria with its church, built by the noble Serrovira family to welcome the sisters, on whose portal stands the family coat of arms. The church, now deconsecrated, houses an evocative mechanical crib made by the folk group “A Lanterna” which during Christmas period, is visited by many people.
Portal of Celestri palace is the only element that remains of the building. On the portal there is the family coat of arms: a shield crowned with a half moon. This coat of arms led the Turks, during their invasions, not to destroy the palace, because it was considered Muslim.
The Arab Quarter of Marina in recent years has been enhanced with the realization of numerous murals of famous people of territory such as singer Rosa Balistreri and writer Luigi Pirandello. Other events of attraction are created, such as the living crib, the San Martino Fest and recently the event “Insieme” which has seen numerous associations, artists and artisans with several stands.
