Favara — Destination in Sicily

Favara is a town of just over 31,000 people in the province of Agrigento in southern Sicily, about 10 kilometers northeast of Agrigento at an average elevation of 338 meters. It is known for the Farm Cultural Park, an art project in the old town, for the 13th-century Castello di Chiaramonte and for an Easter lamb made of almonds and pistachios.

The Farm Cultural Park in Favara

The notary Andrea Bartoli and his wife Florinda Saieva opened the Farm Cultural Park in 2010. It occupies the Cortile Bentivegna in the Sette Cortili quarter, a group of seven courtyards lined with small Arab-style houses. Before the project the quarter was half abandoned. It now works as a gallery and artists' residence, with exhibitions, murals and events.

The founders were open about their aim: they wanted Favara to become the second most visited place in the province, after the Valley of the Temples. FAI, the Italian national trust, has included the park several times in its “I Luoghi del Cuore” campaign.

The castle and the town's history

The Castello di Chiaramonte dates from the 13th century and is considered the town's most important building. According to tradition, Frederick II of Swabia used it as a hunting lodge.

The name Favara comes from the Arabic word fawwāra, meaning “gushing spring.” Archaeological finds show, though, that people lived here long before the Arabs arrived. For a long time the town made its living from sulfur, with about 20 mines in operation. Agriculture, crafts and construction have since taken over, and the municipality's roughly 82 square kilometers include vineyards, olive groves and almond orchards.

Easter lamb, Favara's sweet

Favara calls itself the city of the Easter lamb. The “agnello pasquale” is a sweet made of almonds and pistachios, and the town's pastry shops sell it before Easter. If you want to try it, plan your visit for the weeks leading up to the holiday.

Location and getting there

Favara sits about 10 kilometers northeast of Agrigento. Two state roads lead to it, the SS 640 (Strada degli Scrittori) and the SS 122. The nearest major airports are Palermo and Catania. Trains no longer run to Favara; its station was last served in 1958.

Combining Favara with the Valley of the Temples

Agrigento is the starting point for the Valley of the Temples, and Favara is only a few kilometers away, so half a day in Favara fits well alongside a visit to the ancient sites. That way you can see ancient temples and contemporary art in an old town quarter on the same day.