REIS: Sicilian Intangible Heritage Register Knows Workplaces Mines and Quarries

Knowledge of Mining Civilization (AG)

Technical Information

Knowledge of Mining Civilization - Province of Agrigento

The recognition of the "Knowledge of Mining Civilization" asset - Book of Knowledge - concerns four territorial areas:

Province of Agrigento (data sheet with no. Prog. 7)

Province of Caltanissetta (technical sheet with program number 8)

Province of Enna (technical sheet with no. Progr. 11)

Municipality of Lercara Friddi (PA) (technical sheet with prog. No. 53)

The Good can be correlated with the Good "Holders of the Knowledge of the Mining Civilization" - Book of living human treasures concerning "The surfers" of the Province of Caltanissetta (form n. 10) and those of the province of Enna (form n. 12)

Card insertion: Ignatius Caloggero

Photo: web, archeologiaindustriale.net

Information contributions: Region of Sicily, Ignazio Caloggero, Web,

Note: The populating of the files of the Heritage database proceeds in incremental phases: cataloging, georeferencing, insertion of information and images. The cultural property in question has been cataloged, georeferenced and the first information entered. In order to enrich the information content, further contributions are welcome, if you wish you can contribute through our area "Your Contributions"

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Card insertion: Heritage Sicily

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Technical sheet prepared by: Region of Sicily - Department of cultural heritage and Sicilian identity - CRicd: Regional center for inventory, cataloging and documentation and Sicilian regional film library

Intangible Heritage Register

N. Prog. 7

Good: Knowledge of Mining Civilization

Approval date: 25-01-2006

Location: central southern Sicily

Chronological News

The discovery of sulfur deposits in the province of Agrigento dates back to 1800, making the area one of the most important for the production of the mineral. Consequent to this economic development is the social and urban transformation of some countries in the area which were hit by a process of internal migration. Many fled their countries in search of better living conditions, as their existence was severely tested by working conditions in the mines. The crisis of the sulfur industry of the twentieth century caused considerable damage to the local micro economy which resulted in a process that was the reverse of the one we had witnessed: the progressive decrease of the population.

Technical Information

The history of the mining culture of the province of Agrigento is linked both to the extraction of sulfur, but also of rock salt, minerals that gave a great boost to the local economy.
The placement of the mineral on the market completes the sulfur cycle, after the extraction and smelting dealt with in the other cards relating to the knowledge of the mining civilization. This last phase is decisive for the success of the cycle and for the possible development of the following phases.
The transport of the ore from the deposit to the railway took place almost exclusively on the back of the mule or with carts when the state of the roads allowed it. The development of the railway network developed communications in the medium and long distance. The sulfur railway-railway station and the one between the railway station and the loading points, ports and docks.
For almost the entire "sulfur season" the southern area of the island was left without real port facilities. I "uploaded"Corresponded to coarse port structures. Among these, in concomitance with the phase of increased sulfur production, is the port of Porto Empedocle.

Bibliography

Addamus, Sebastian. 1989. Sulfur of Sicily. Palermo: Sellerio.

Make it, Francesco. 1987. Sicily in the 50s: studies and testimonies. Naples: Guide.

Rebecchini, Joseph. 1991. The sulfur routes in Sicily. Rome: Workshop.

Author Profile: Francesca Maria Riccobene

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