Page 455 - The Rough Guide of Sicily

Licata

LICATA is a pleasant little port town some 50km down the coast from Agrigento,
though there’s certainly nothing left of ancient Phintias, the settlement founded here in
280 BC by Greeks from Gela, whose own city had been destroyed in successive
attacks. Instead, Licata’s historic centre is largely Baroque, with a lower town split
into two distinct halves. Pavement cafés line the two wide avenues – Corso Roma and
Corso Umberto – that form an L-shape at the heart of town meeting at Piazza

Progresso. Behind here, the narrow crisscrossed alleys of the old town reach back to
the harbour. There’s a lido and beach just up from the harbour, though as Licata is still
a working port, full of maritime hardware, it’s not exactly enticing. For a view over
the harbour, climb to the top of the town from the main Corso Roma and then work
your way around the hill to reach an imposing sixteenth-century castello. Other strolls

can take in the lively old-town market (Mon–Sat from early morning till around 2pm),
held in the cobbled square in front of the church, and some of Licata’s good palazzi,
the most prominent being the gargoyle-studded Palazzo Canarelli on Corso Roma.
Housed in a sixteenth-century convent on Piazza Sant’Angelo, and reached by walking
down Via Dante off Corso Umberto, the Museo Archeologico displays a good deal of

local prehistoric and Greek material, as well as medieval art, but has been closed for
a lengthy renovation for some years now, though there are rumours that it is due to
reopen shortly; call for an update ( 0922 77 6263).

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: LICATA

By bus Buses pull up on Corso Roma, right in the centre; the bar at Corso Roma 36
posts timetables and sells tickets for the regular daily departures to Agrigento, Gela,
Catania (and Catania Airport) and Palermo. Main bus companies are Etnabus,
Interbus, SAIS and SAL.

By train Licata is served by far fewer trains than buses; principal destinations are
Caltanissetta and Gela. The train station is a 5min walk from the bus station.

ACCOMMODATION AND EATING

Antica Dimora San Girolamo Piazza San Girolamo 0922 875 010,
dimorasangirolamo.it. This is a great little B&B in the heart of the old fishing quarter,

La Marina, housed in an old building full of character on an atmospheric square
where, in fine weather, guests are served first-class breakfasts al fresco. €50

La Madia Corso Re Capriata 22, off Corso Serrovia 0922 771 443,
ristorantelamadia.it. A pricey, critically acclaimed restaurant where world-class but
distinctly Sicilian dishes can be sampled on a tasting menu for €80. Summer Mon &