Aspra, Sicily


Aspra is a town in the comune of Bagheria in the Province of Palermo in Sicily, Italy.

History

The first traces of the town are thought to belong to the period of Arabic domination in Sicily, as it is suspected that the name comes from the Arabic حجر. Aspra was in fact, for generations, used to cave out blocks of calcarenite. Aspra was part of the land of the nobility of Marquis of Sant'Isidoro, of which now remain a villa and the land of the Church of Aspra.
Notable are the alfrescos by Renato Guttuso in the church, the seaside, and "u rittufilu". Fishing is the primary economic activity of the town, with local anchovies being exported worldwide.

Geographical location

The territory of Aspra goes from the Montagna d'Aspra, which is the name of the mountain near the town with the tops of Monte Irice, Cozzo San Pietro and Cozzo Tondo. The mountain extends in a promontory. Continuing towards Esto est, passing Mongerbino, it is possible to reach Porticello. West Aspra ends following the profile of the river Eleuterio.