Carini
I would like to dedicate our Carini Page to my mother's cousin, Angelina. Without her I wouldn’t have this page. She has taken so much time to complete our family tree. I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart, so happy that I found you.
Grazie!
The town of Carini is located on a hill overlooking a large bay, roughly 26 km from the city of Palermo. Like its neighboring towns and cities, Carini is ancient in origin. Its economy is based, as it has been historically, on agriculture. Chief among its produce are citrus fruit, olives and grapes.
Originally known as Garinis, it was built in the 10th century by the Arabs and was in close proximity to the settlement of Hycara, which according to legend, was founded by the Greek Daedalus and named in honor of his son, Icarus. While Hycara was destroyed by Athenian troops in 415 B.C.E., Garinis survived and thrived. By the time of the Norman Conquest, it was under the control of the Bonello family. In turn, it then became a feudal holding of the powerful Chiaramonte clan, and then was ceded to the Moncada family. By the year 1403, amid many feuds, claims and counter-claims, it came under the domination of the La Grua-Talamanca family who, by then, had acquired the title of Princes, and who have retained title since that time.
One local incident, which occurred here in 1563, has remained deep in the city’s memory and popular culture. In a familial tragedy worthy of William Shakespeare, Vincenzo La Grua fell in love with a woman other than his wife, Laura Lanza of Catania, the Baroness Carini. So he could possess the other woman, La Grua convinced Laura’s father, Cesare Lanza, that the Baroness Carini had been unfaithful, conducting a secret affair with another man. In order to restore his family’s honor, Cesare Lanza, believing La Grua’s story, had his daughter executed.
Carini is a town of narrow, winding streets, broad bends and scenic views of the coast. In the town’s center is the Duomo square with its ornate fountain. Nearby is an archway dating back to the 10th century.
Dominating the vista of the town is the Castello, the scene of the Lanza-LaGrua tragedy of four centuries ago. It was originally built during the time of the Normans as a fortress and, over the years, has been substantially remodeled. What was originally the Salone delle Derrate (Victuals Hall) on the ground floor was renovated under the tenure of the early LaGruas into a library. Here a pair of elaborate stone arches are supported by a solid pilaster. On the floor above, is an excellent example of a 15th century coffered wood ceiling. It is ornamented with elaborate Catalan-Gothic decoration and detailing. The square tower of the Castello is topped by a decorated corbelled roof and adorned by a two-light window.
Along Carini’s main street – the Corso Umberto I – in front of the fountain is the Chiesa di San Vincenzo. This ancient church exhibits a neo-Classically decorated wrought-iron grille which was originally used to separate the area reserved for the nuns of the adjacent Chiesa di S. Maria degli Angeli Capuchin convent.
To the left of the Chiesa di San Vincenzo is the Chiesa Madre. In this church you will see a painting from 1578 by the eminent Tuscan artist Alessando Allori depicting The Adoration of the Magi. Also housed in the Chiesa Madre is a superb carved wooden Crucified Christ figure, detailed with agate and capped with a silver crown. This is set above an elaborate altar on either side of which is evocative stucco statuary created by Procopio Serpotta in the 17th century. In a gallery along the right side of the church are a series of panels illustrating the Crucifixion, the Assumption, St. Rosalie and St. Vitus. These all date from 1715.
The Oratorio del SS. Sacramento stands next to the Chiesa Madre. Built in the middle of the 16th century, it is marvelously decorated with a myriad of stuccos by the Trapani artist Vincenzo Messina. These date from the 18th century and depict in life-size figures fables of Faith, Charity, Strength, Penitence, Hope, Justice, Divine Grace and the Roman Catholic Church itself. Also featured are smaller figures, leaning on parapets below the windows which represent scenes from the Mysteries of the Eucharist. In between these various scenes and tableau are decorative elements such as cherubim, floral garlands, fruit, heraldic coats of arms and other neo-Classical elements. The supreme example of the fresco art is the ceiling of the Oratorio del SS. Sacramento, which depicts The Triumph of Faith.
The Chiesa di S. Maria degli Angeli sits behind the Chiesa Madre. This church is largely the work of the Capuchin Fra Benedetto Valenza and dates from 1737. It is constructed with a single nave and several elaborately-decorated side chapels. It also holds a marvelous wooden crucifix carved by Valenza.
Lastly, there is the Chiesa degli Agonizzanti. This church was completed in 1643 and is decorated with white and gilded stuccos, as well as fresco work based upon the life of the Virgin. These frescos – as well as two stucco scenes half-way up the wall depicting the death of Joseph and the Madonna - lead the eye up to the master work fresco on the ceiling, showing the Apotheosis of the Virgin.
My families from Carini.
Click on the link for more information the Russo Family
Click on the link for more information for The LoCricchio Family.
Click on the link for more information for The Candela Family.
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