The borgo of Gangi (PA) rises on a promontory at an altitude of over 1,000 m in the Park of the Madonie. The first settlement, named Engyon, dated to the Greeks. Destroyed during the Vesper war, it was rebuilt in 1300 and became territory of the Ventimiglia family and later the Graffeos. Noble residential palaces were built in the 1600 and 1700s, including Palazzo Bongiorno whose raw stone façade features wrought iron balconies and conceals Baroque and neo-classical interiors; Palazzo Sgadari which today houses the Gianbecchina pinacoteca, Archaeological Museum, the weapons museum and the Ethno Anthropological Museum; and Palazzo Mocciaro with frescoed interiors.
In the village, the Ventimiglia tower, built in various stages because of continual structural collapses, is divided into three orders and topped with a 18th century clock, which is part of the Church of St. Nicolò, the cathedral built by the Knights of Jerusalem that houses works by Zoppo di Gangi, a famous local artist whose identity is still unknown, responsible for many pieces that can be found in the outlying villages.
The privately-owned castle is situated on the highest part of Mount Marone and was probably built in the 14th century as the residence for the local overlords. One wing was destroyed in the 1920s to make way for the village water tank.
Outside the residential centre, the Sanctuary of the Holy Spirit conserves an effigy of the Eternal Father painted on a rock, found by a field worker.
Sicilia Film Commission
Via Emanuele Notarbartolo 9 — 90141 Palermo
Phone: +39 091 7078008; +39 091 7078264; +39 091 7078133; +39 091 7078145
Email: filmcommission@regione.sicilia.it
