Sciara is a small rural town in the Palermo area, set at the foot of Monte San Calogero in a green landscape of water, vegetation and high ground overlooking the Gulf of Termini Imerese. Its name is said to come from Greek and Arabic words meaning “wood” or “forest”, a detail that fits its setting within the mountain territory.
Although the surrounding area shows signs of much older human presence, the present town belongs above all to the late 17th century. It was founded in 1671 under Filippo Notarbartolo Cipolla, after King Charles II of Spain granted him the title of Prince of Sciara, giving the village a clear identity as a princely foundation rather than an ancient hill town grown by chance.
Today Sciara retains the character of a small agricultural community with strong religious traditions and a close relationship with its countryside. Its distinctiveness lies in this combination of mountain landscape, late feudal origin and deeper traces of settlement, with a modern civic memory also marked by the story of trade unionist Salvatore Carnevale.
Patron Saint:
Holy Crucifix (SS. Crocifisso) – 13 August
Nearest Airport:
Palermo (Falcone-Borsellino) – (83 km, 01:15)
Neighboring Cities:
