Sutera

Sutera
Comune di Sutera
Location of Sutera
Map
Sutera is located in Italy
Sutera
Sutera
Location of Sutera in Italy
Sutera is located in Sicily
Sutera
Sutera
Sutera (Sicily)
Coordinates: 37°32′N 13°44′E / 37.533°N 13.733°E / 37.533; 13.733
CountryItaly
RegionSicily
ProvinceProvince of Caltanissetta (CL)
Government
 • MayorGiuseppe Grizzanti
Area
 • Total35.5 km2 (13.7 sq mi)
Elevation
590 m (1,940 ft)
Population
 (Dec. 2004)[2]
 • Total1,649
 • Density46/km2 (120/sq mi)
DemonymSuteresi
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
93010
Dialing code0934
Patron saintMaria Madre di Carmine, St. Paolino and St. Onofrio
Saint daySt. Paolino first Tuesday after Easter. St. Onofrio First Sunday of August
WebsiteOfficial website

Sutera is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Caltanissetta in the Italian region Sicily, located about 70 kilometres (43 mi) southeast of Palermo and about 30 kilometres (19 mi) west of Caltanissetta. It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy").[3] The area is dominated by a large monolithic rock termed "The Mountain of San Paolino". Upon this mountain sits the bones of the patron saints of the town, St. Paolino and St. Onofrio. On the Feast of San Onofrio, almost all those in the town walk to the top of the mountain, as a pilgrimage to the saints. As a surname, Sutera has variations that include Soter, Souter, Suter, Sudder, and Sutar due to Anglo-Saxon influence during the conquest of Italy. The name Sutera derives from the greek word Soter which means 'our salvation'.

Sutera holds the award of "bandiere arancioni"[1] from the touring club Italiano. Sutera is currently the only place in Sicily to hold this accolade, which is awarded to touristic areas of excellence. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 1,649 and an area of 35.5 square kilometres (13.7 sq mi).[4]

Sutera borders the following municipalities: Acquaviva Platani, Bompensiere, Campofranco, Casteltermini, Milena, Mussomeli.

Sutera is twinned with the Borough of Broxbourne in England.

Recently, the population has had a decrease because of the lack of work in the area. Youngsters had moved away leaving Sutera with mainly elder citizens. However, in the last few years the town has been transformed by the influx of asylum seekers which has saved the local school and boosted the local economy.[5]

  1. ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  3. ^ "Sicilia" (in Italian). 24 January 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  4. ^ All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.
  5. ^ "'They are our salvation': the Sicilian town revived by refugees". the Guardian. March 19, 2018.