Carini: My Sicilian Childhood In A Medieval Italian Town

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗶, a picturesque town nestled in Northwest Sicily. With its rich history dating back to the 5th century BC, Carini offers a captivating blend of ancient heritage and modern charm.

Our day in Carini began with a visit to Pete’s Place, a local institution known for its authentic Sicilian hospitality and delicious espresso. From there, we ventured into the bustling Piazza di Carini, where locals gathered to socialize, shop, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.

As we meandered through the winding alleyways, we stumbled upon unexpected treasures. Via Castello, a historic street that once bustled with life, now stood as a testament to the town’s rich past. The Fontana della Batia, a 17th-century fountain, and the Avenue of Flowers, where local ladies sold their delectable baked goods, were delightful surprises.

And, of course, we couldn’t resist filling our bottles with fresh spring water from the Sette Fontane or Seven Fountains.

One of the highlights of our visit was Chiesa Madre, a stunning architectural gem built in the late 15th century. We explored its courtyards and admiring its intricate details. The church’s peaceful ambiance and the intricate carvings on its façade left a lasting impression on us.

Our day culminated in a celebration of local experiences. We savored the authentic flavors of Carini at a small fish store and then headed to Grace Restaurant in Cinisi for a mouthwatering pizza dinner. The fresh seafood and the genuine taste of the pizza were a perfect way to end our day.

Carini truly exceeded our expectations. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or simply seeking a peaceful escape, this charming Sicilian town offers something for everyone.

▶️Video Chapters:
00:00 Carini: My Sicilian Childhood In A Medieval Italian Town
00:08 Visiting Pete for a quick espresso
00:22 Overview of Carini
00:46 Town Square
01:02 War Memorial Statue
01:17 Via Castello
01:58 Fontana della Batia
02:36 Avenue of Flowers
03:06 Chiesa Madre, the Mother Church
03:19 Via San Giuseppe
03:34 Palazzo del Comune
04:07 Cultural Experience
04:22 Fresh Fish Store
04:35 Dinner at Grace Restaurant

Medieval Italian Town

In this video, we’ll show you the piazza di Carini, or townsquare, we’ll explore the town, and then out for pizza.

Visiting Pete for a quick espresso

But first, Croce and I stop in to see Pete for a quick cup of espresso.

Overview of Carini

The town of Carini is in Northwest Sicily and located on a hill about 170 meters above sea level in the Montagna Longa, Long Mountain Range, and just about 12 miles from Palermo, which is Sicily’s capital, with a territory that extends to the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Carini has about 38,000 inhabitants.

Town Square

The town square is a place for the Carinese to chat with friends, do some shopping, or run errands.

There is a mix of cars, pedestrians, motor scooters, and bicycles so you really have to be careful in this area.

War Memorial Statue

On this particular day, they decorated the War Memorial Statue, the Fallen of Carini, to honor the fallen soldiers who gave their lives during wartime from 1940 to 1945.

Via Castello

This is Via Castello, or Castle Way, which is located behind the Castello di Carini.

I enjoyed exploring this narrow alley which was originally built for people and horses.

History tells us that Hyccara, Carini in Latin, reached its maximum splendor in the second half of the 5th century BC.

Yes, folks really do hang their laundry from their balconies above the streets of the town.

Fontana della Batia

This is Fontana della Batia or Fountain of Batia, which is an area, and it dates back to the 17th century so the 1600s. The edges are incredibly smooth, and I can’t help but wonder about the thousands of people that have filled their water pots here.

Avenue of Flowers

This is Avenue of Flowers, and there are some local ladies selling their baked goods.

Carini has many pharmacies but there are two main pharmacies on the square.

Many of the townspeople come to the square to fill bottles with drinking water from the fountain called Sette Fontane or Seven Fountains because it has seven spigots. The water source for the fountain is a nearby fresh spring.

Chiesa Madre, the Mother Church

Chiesa Madre, or Mother Church, was built in the late 15th century.

There are so many courtyards and areas to explore.

Via San Giuseppe

Via San Giuseppe is the place of the statue of Padre Pio.

The Italian sign above this antique door says Carpenter.

Palazzo del Comune

Palazzo del Comune is the municipal building in Carini and that’s where a lot of the town business is done.

Cultural Experience

I really enjoy the beautiful architecture, and I am just soaking in the culture.

Fresh Fish Store

Croce gets fresh fish every week from town, but we wanted to check out a small fish store we hadn’t been to yet. It looked pretty fresh so we might just come back.

Dinner at Grace Restaurant

We went to Grace Restaurant in Cinisi for dinner. They have a full menu of delicious choices, and it was difficult to decide. They have a wood-burning pizza oven. And we just wanted something simple so Croce got Roman pizza, and I had insalata di mare, or salad of the sea.

Thank you for watching, and I’ll see you in the next video.