Resuttano: Churches, Traditions and Hiking Trails

Resuttano brings together churches from different building periods, religious traditions, a historic craft and connections to hiking. This offers different focal points for planning a trip: sacred architecture, local customs or a particular stage. The usual dates of the Living Nativity Scene may also play a role in choosing when to travel.

Churches and Building History

The Chiesa Madre dates from the 18th century and was built on the site of a 16th-century predecessor. Its three naves give it a clear architectural structure. Its furnishings bring together several periods: the main altar, made of multicoloured marble, was completed in 1921, and an 18th-century statue of the Immaculate Conception stands above it. The church also houses a 17th-century wooden crucifix in the chapel of the Santissimo Crocifisso.

A smaller church is the Chiesa delle Anime Sante at Piazzale Purgatorio. It was restored in 1870. Together, the two churches offer different points of reference for exploring sacred architecture: at the Chiesa Madre, the focus is on its building phases, three naves and furnishings; at the Chiesa delle Anime Sante, on its small size, location at the piazzale and year of restoration.

The Castle and Marranzano Craftsmanship

The Castello di Resuttano also has a historical function distinct from the churches’ building histories. During the Norman period, it served as a secure refuge for a garrison and as an efficient transit station. These two functions point to its role as a place of protection and passage in that era.

Another cultural connection is the Sicilian Marranzano. It is made from wrought iron, hot-forged on an anvil. The material and process are as much a part of the craft tradition as the history of its workshops: Giuseppe Alaimo was one of Sicily’s last makers of jaw harps, working in his workshop in Resuttano. The Marranzano can therefore be understood both through its specific forging technique and through a maker associated with Resuttano.

Traditions and Event Dates

Resuttano’s Living Nativity Scene takes place in the historic centre and usually spans three days: 26 December, the first Sunday in January and 6 January, the Feast of the Epiphany. The sequence of dates therefore runs from the period after Christmas into January. Check the specific event dates for the year before travelling.

Resuttano’s annual Feast of the Santissimo Crocifisso takes place on 3 and 4 May in the province of Caltanissetta. The programme may vary. The “tavolata dei virgini” is another feature of regional food culture: at this banquet for twelve children, a wide variety of typical local dishes is served.

Hiking Stages and Trail Conditions

Stage 15 of the Antica Trasversale Sicula runs from Vallelunga Pratameno via Feudo Tudia to Resuttano. Its route can therefore be identified by its starting point, stopover and destination. If you plan to hike this stage, check the current route and trail conditions before setting out.

La Via dei Frati is another hiking route in the area. A route description from 2019 specifies a winter alternative for the Resuttano–Polizzi Generosa stage in the event of high water: it bypasses the ford on the Imera-Salso River and instead follows the SP 19 towards Alimena. The two route references therefore differ mainly in the planning details described: for the Antica Trasversale Sicula, the route via Vallelunga Pratameno and Feudo Tudia is key; for La Via dei Frati, it is the high-water alternative. Assess the river conditions on site before setting out.

Plan your event dates and route conditions in detail before you travel.

Discover more destinations: Bompensiere, Villalba, Mussomeli, Caltanissetta, Butera, Delia, Riesi, Ciolino.

Go to the main travel overview: Caltanissetta.