Gela

Gela is a small town with rich history, situated in the south-western part of the Caltanissetta province at the distance of 80 km from its capital. Narrow streets of the town, small squares and family trattorias are the symbols of the traditional Sicily. Tourists can admire lots of beautiful Sicilian landscapes because Gela is situated on a picturesque hill in a small bay.

Gela was founded by the ancient Greeks half of a century later after the appearance of the most famous Greek colony in Sicily called Syracuse. A famous ancient poet Eschil spent the last years of his life there. The epoch of Ancient Greece is represented by the ruins of the Acropolis, the Doric Temple in Parco della Rimembranza on the territory of the Acropolis, the ruins of the Greek fort on Capo Soprano and numerous exhibits in the local Archaeological Museum.

The heritage of the Middle Ages is represented in Gela by the main temple, the Church of St. Francisco of the 17th century, the Church of St. Giuseppe of the 15th century and the ruins of the Castelluccio Castle, which is situated some kilometers away to the north of Gela.

Gela is famous not only for the tourism but also as one of the most important industrial centers in Sicily. There is an oil-refining complex there.

Gela is famous for its cuisine. The local national dish is grilled poultry. You can find it in all trattorias and bars. There are very good restaurants with nice Sicilian cuisine such as the Aurora restaurant in Piazza Veneto and the Titanic and the Batavia restaurants, situated in the centre on the town sea-front.

The best way to get to Gela is by express train Trenitalia from Agrigento, Catania and Ragusa.

You can rent a car in Gela and make a tour to the west along the sea coast. There are some interesting places among them. Mafria with a wonderful beach, a watch-tower of the Middle Ages and the Falconara Castle, which is used as a hotel. Those who are fond of nature can visit the lakes of the National Park called Biviere Di Gela in the south-east of the town. You can see lots of rare kinds of birds there. The best way to get to the National Park is by train. You should depart from Gela and get off at the next stop called Casa Russo.