The beautiful town of Cefalù is located on the northern Sicilian coast, right at the foot of a rocky promontory. A very famous tourist destination, the town is one of the largest seaside resorts in the region and is also part of the Madonie Regional Park. In this article, in addition to learning about the town’s history, we will also talk about the inhabitants of Cefalù.
The town’s cathedral, part of the Arab-Norman Palermo site, along with its cathedral and the similar one in Monreale, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. But now, focusing on the history of this beautiful town, we can say that traces of settlement in the area date back to prehistoric times, particularly in two caves on the northern side of the promontory on which Cefalù stands.
In the 4th century BC, the Greeks gave the indigenous center a name in Greek, which literally means “head” or “chief,” probably referring to its promontory. However, it was in 307 BC that the town was conquered by the Syracusans and later by the Romans, who gave it the Latin name Cephaloedium.
In 858 AD, following a long siege, it was conquered by the Arabs, who named it Gafludi. However, there is little information about this period due to a lack of monumental evidence. The definitive turning point came in 1063 when the town was conquered by the Normans led by Roger I. It was later refounded by Roger II, and it is from this period that the cathedral’s cloister and the Church of San Giorgio, along with the medieval washhouse, date.
How many inhabitants does Cefalù have today and what are they called?
Regarding the more recent history of Cefalù, it can be assimilated to the history of Sicily and the rest of Italy. In 1752, foreign consulates began to establish themselves, making the town a destination of the Grand Tour. During the Risorgimento, the patriot Salvatore Spinuzza was executed there, and following Garibaldi’s landing, the town declared its allegiance to the Kingdom of Italy.
What are the typical traditions of the inhabitants of Cefalù? Every year from August 2 to 6, the festival of SS. Salvatore, the town’s protector, is held. Although the Immaculate Conception is the official patroness, SS. Salvatore has always been celebrated as if he were the patron saint. During these festivities, on the afternoon of the last day, a contest called “Antinna a mari” takes place. This contest involves young and old fishermen competing to capture a colored flag attached to the tip of a long pole, which is made slippery with grease and soap. The pole is positioned horizontally over the sea but firmly fixed to the dock.
As for the inhabitants of Cefalù, they are called “cefaludesi” in Italian and “cefalutani” in the Sicilian dialect. The number of actual residents in the town is about 14,400, covering an area of 66 km².
