- Randazzo
Infobox CityIT
img_coa = Randazzo-Stemma.png
region =Sicily
province = Catania (CT)
elevation_m = 765
area_total_km2 = 204
population_as_of =december 31 ,2004
population_total = 11287
population_density_km2 =55
timezone = CET, UTC+1| [ summer = CEST, UTC+2| [ coordinates = coord|37|53|N|14|57|E
frazioni = Montelaguardia, Murazzo Rotto, Flascio
telephone = 095
postalcode = 95036
gentilic = Randazzesi
saint =St. proietto
day =march 19
mayor = Salvatore Agati (sincejune 10 ,2003 )
website = [http://www.comune.randazzo.ct.it/ www.comune.randazzo.ct.it]Randazzo ( _sc. Rannazzu) is a town of
Sicily ,Italy , in theprovince of Catania . It is situated at the Northern foot ofMount Etna , 70 km NW of Catania by rail. It is the nearest town to the summit of Etna, and is one of the points from which the ascent may be made.History
Main sights
The history of
Sicily and, therefore, of Randazzo is a long tale of invasion and foreign rule. In the XIII century the town had its own army, which fought in favour of the king against the rebels. In 1210 the Emperor and his young wife Constance of Aragon sheltered at Randazzo to escape the terrible plague which raged inPalermo .Randazzo became one of the most densely populated towns in the island, after Palermo and Messina. The town was also divided into three main districts; The Greeks lived in St. Nicola's quarter, the Latins in St. Mary's and the Lombards in St. Martins.
During the Black Death (1575-1580) the population of Randazzo declined and reduced the town to misery. The economy slumped, and Randazzo almost turned into a ghost town. During the Second World War,Randazzo became a victim of Allied bombing,and about 76% of its buildings were destroyed.
*Aragonese Gate
*Palazzo Lanza
*Palazzo Scala , a former Royal residence from the 12th century.
*Palazzo Finocchiaro (1509).
*The Castello Svevo ("Hohenstaufen Castle")Family name
Randazzo is a popular Sicilian surname. Many Randazzos have come from Sicily (hailing from the city of Randazzo all the way to Palermo)
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