Melilli
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{{Expand Italian|date=January 2022|topic=geo}}
{{Infobox Italian comune
| name = Melilli
| official_name = Comune di Melilli
| native_name =
| image_skyline =Melilli-Panorama.jpg
| imagesize =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| image_shield = Melilli-Stemma.png
| shield_alt =
| image_map =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| coordinates = {{coord|37|11|N|15|7|E|type:city(12,555)_region:IT|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes =
| region = Sicily
| province = Province of Syracuse (SR)
| frazioni = Villasmundo, Città Giardino, Marina di Melilli
| mayor_party =
| mayor = Giuseppe Carta
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 136.42
| population_footnotes =All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.
| population_total = 13533
| population_as_of = 30 November 2017
| pop_density_footnotes =
| population_demonym = Melillesi
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 310
| twin1 =
| twin1_country =
| saint = Saint Sebastian
| day = 4 May
| postal_code = 96010
| area_code = 0931
| website = {{official website|http://www.comunemelilli.it/}}
| footnotes =
}}
Melilli (Sicilian: Miliḍḍi) is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Syracuse, Sicily (southern Italy), located about {{convert|190|km|mi}} southeast of Palermo and about {{convert|20|km|mi}} northwestern of Syracuse.
Geography
Melilli stands at about {{convert|310|m|ft}} above sea level close to the Monti Climiti chain, overlooking the Megara bay and the industrial district of Augusta-Priolo.
Melilli borders the following municipalities: Augusta, Carlentini, Priolo Gargallo, Syracuse, Sortino.
History
The human presence in the area is attested since the Bronze Age. Its strategic situation between the major cities of Augusta and Syracuse has played a critical role in its growth. In the feudal age, it became a dominion of the Augusta County.
It managed to revive after two devastating quakes in 1542 and 1693. Since 1842 it has been an autonomous city.
Main sights
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The Chiesa Madre San Nicolò Vescovo (Mother Church of St Nicolas, Bishop of Myra), dedicated to Saint Nicholas, has a ceiling painted with the Triumph of the Faith by Olivo Sozzi.
The church of San Sebastiano, dating from the 18th century, houses various paintings by Sozzi, among which are a Coronation of Saint Sebastian and The Triumph of the Faith, and a marble altarpiece representing the Deposition of St. Bartholomew.
The church of Sant'Antonio Abate has bronze bas-reliefs on the portal by Domenico Girbino.
Nature
The River Marcellino, flowing nearby, offers naturalistic spots and an old necropolis.
The neighboring salt-mines of Augusta were an important economic resource as far as the end of World War II.
Economy
{{see|Augusta-Priolo}}
Culture
Feasts in the town include:
- Carnival
- Christ's nativity representation (during Christmas)
- Holy week
- Feast of Saint Sebastian - 4 May (Patron Saint of the town)
Twin towns
- {{flagicon|USA}} Middletown, Connecticut, USA
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20060804152705/http://comunemelilli.it/ Official website]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070201233516/http://hicmelis.it/ www.hicmelis.it/]
{{Province of Syracuse}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}