Alessandria
Part of The Encyclopedia of Southern Italy.
Alessandria della Rocca >(AG): A commune in the province of Agrigento.
Region: Sicilia. Province: Agrigento.
Elevation: 520 m. Area: 61.93 km². Population: 3,271 (2007e); 3,348 (2006e). Population Density: /km² ().
Coordinates: Lat. 37°34’3″N/Long. 13°27’15″E.
Location & Setting: located 56 km from Agrigento, situated in a hilly area.
Frazioni: .
Tel. Prefix: 0922. Postal Code: 92010.
Population Designation: Alessandrini.
Patron Saint (s): Maria SS. della Rocca. Feast Day: last Sunday in Aug.
Former Names: .
History: The town’s name derives from that of Alessandro Presti, the owner of the land on which the place was founded by the nobleman Blasé Bares in 1570. It was originally called Alessandria della Pietra. In 1862 or 1863, the suffix was changed to “della Rocca” to honor the local Santuario di S. Maria della Rocca. Shortly after its foundation, it became a possession of the Barresi family.
The town became a possession of the Napoli family in the 18th century with the marriage of Elisabetta Barresi to Lord Girolamo Napoli.
Historic Population Figures: (1861); (1901); (1921); (1951); (1981); 3,787(2001).
Famous Natives & Residents:
Luigi Genuardi: 1882-1935. Jurist and historian.
Points of Interest:
Historical Sites and Monuments: Medieval castle.
Churches and Religious Sites: The Chiesa del Carmine was founded in 1589.
The Chiesa di S. Francesco was founded by baroness Elisabetta Barresi in 1610.
The Sanctuario di Santa Maria della Rocca (sanctuary of Saint Mary della Rocca), located 1 km S of the center, dates to 1800. According a local legend, the sanctuary was built on the site where a statue of the patron saint was discovered.
Museums:
Culture:
Events:
Recreation:
Economy: Agriculture: almonds, olives, wheat, citrus, peaches. Livestock: cattle.