Giarre (Sicilian: Giarri) is a comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Catania, Sicily. The town is located about 275 kilometres (171 mi) southeast of Palermo and around 30 kilometres (19 mi) north of Catania.

Giarre
Comune di Giarre
Coat of arms of Giarre
Location of Giarre
Map
Giarre is located in Italy
Giarre
Giarre
Location of Giarre in Italy
Giarre is located in Sicily
Giarre
Giarre
Giarre (Sicily)
Coordinates: 37°44′N 15°11′E / 37.733°N 15.183°E / 37.733; 15.183
CountryItaly
RegionSicily
Metropolitan cityCatania (CT)
FrazioniAltarello, Carruba, Macchia, Miscarello, San Giovanni Montebello, San Leonardello, Santa Maria la Strada, Sciara, Trepunti
Government
 • MayorLeonardo Cantarella
Area
 • Total
27 km2 (10 sq mi)
Elevation
81 m (266 ft)
Population
 (31 August 2017)[2]
 • Total
27,407
 • Density1,000/km2 (2,600/sq mi)
DemonymGiarresi
Time zoneUTC 1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC 2 (CEST)
Postal code
95014, 95010
Dialing code095
Patron saintSt. Isidore the Labourer
Saint day15 May
WebsiteOfficial website

Geography

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Giarre is bounded by the municipalities of Acireale, Mascali, Milo, Riposto, Sant'Alfio, Santa Venerina and Zafferana Etnea. It forms a conurbation with the coastal town of Riposto.

History

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Some historians suppose that the ancient Greek city of Kallipolis was situated in the same territory as the present-day town of Giarre, but nowadays there is no relevant proof of it.

From the late 16th century until 1815 Giarre was a village of the county of Mascali.

During the fascist era Giarre was joined to Riposto under the name of Jonia, but separated again in 1945.

Giarre is famous for Giarre murder in 1980.

Main sights

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The Piazza Duomo

The neo-classical cathedral, begun in 1794, is dedicated to the Spaniard St. Isidore, patron of Madrid.

Other sights include:

  • Oratory of St. Filippo Neri (18th century)
  • Sanctuary of Maria Santissima della Strada, the oldest church in the town (dating to 1081). Today little remains of the original medieval structure, having been replaced by a neoclassicist edifice.
  • Museum of Uses and Customs of the Etna people


Giarre has attracted attention for its numerous unfinished buildings and amenities, initiated with public money in the 1990s but never used. A small number have been converted to other uses, including a multi-storey car park; residents also see the prospect of some tourism, as the town has come to be regarded as the centre of this style of urban planning.[3]

Twin towns

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ^ (in Italian) Source: Istat 2010
  3. ^ Italy planning fiasco: New ruins litter Sicily (retrieved 22 May 2012)
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  •   Media related to Giarre at Wikimedia Commons