Chiaramonte Gulfi lies on a hill 9.8 ml north of Ragusa. The village is at a height of 2191.5 ft while the highest altitude of the town territory is on the Arcibessi mount at 2972.4 ft.
The town is called the “Balcony of Sicily” for its panoramic position, with a view over Gela (south-east), the Etna (north), the Ippari valley with its towns (Comiso, Vittoria, Acate) and the ridge of the Erei mountains up to Caltagirone, beyond the sea and the Iblei mountains.
The town is about 23 ml from the sea.

Founded in the 7th century with the name of Akrillai by the Syracuse’s people, it was destroyed by the Carthaginians in 406 BC. Here again the Roman consul Marco Claudio Marcello defeated the Syracuse’s in 213 BC.
With the Roman conquest its name was changed in Acrillae.
On its territory at Scornavacche there was a Hellenistic built-up area specialized in ceramics.
This village, founded by the Syracuse along the river Dirillo, was equally destroyed by the Carthaginians in 406 BC and again in 280 BC, after the reconstruction made by Timoleon.
The finds are displayed in the archaeological Museum of Ragusa.
Probably Acrillae was destroyed by the Arabs of the Caliph Ibn Al Furat in 827 AD during the conquest of the eastern part of the island.
The inhabitants founded a new village over the slope of the Arcibessi mount and called it Gulfi, meaning in Arabic “pleasant place”.
The name Chiaramonte Gulfi (in dialect “Ciaramùnti”) refers to Manfredi Chiaramonte, appointed count of Modica by the Aragon’s king Federico III in 1296. He founded the town together with the inhabitants of Gulfi. The today town dwellers are called “Ciaramuntàni”. The name “Gulfi” was joined to “Chiaramonte” only in 1881, as a memory of the ancient origin.
The main activity is the agricultural sector, both in direct production and in processing.
The main products are vegetables, almonds, olives and wine.
Another activity is the pig farming and the pork meat processing, with typical specialties in particular sausages.

The town is connected to Ragusa with the SP 10 and to Comiso with the SP 7.
The main road is the SS 514 leading from Ragusa to Catania.
All year round at Chiaromonte take place many festivals and others events.
Below a short memo if are interested in

Religious feast

Traditional procession of the Madonna of Gulfi: the Sunday after Easter (Low Sunday) the statue is shouldered into the mother church. Then the solemn novena begins, at the presence of the ancient guilds. After nine days, on Wednesday, a new procession shoulders back the statue to Gulfi.

Procession, novena and Our Lady of Graces festival: from the Corpus Domini Thursday to the 2nd following Sunday.
From the little church of Our Lady of Graces, plunged in a pinewood at the slope of the Arcibessi, the statue is shouldered to the mother church in the town and there the novena takes place

Saint John Eve: 24th June
Procession at twilight. The feast ends with fireworks.

Holy Savior’s Festival: the first Sunday of August, with exhibitions and shows

Saint Vitus’s patronal festival: last Sunday of August
Since a few years the day before takes place a band concert with bands coming from the south of Italy

Sagre (festivals)

The most renowned flavors and dishes of the place can be tasted during the various festivals that take place in the town and that gather more and more visitors every year.

Oil festival: Piazza del Duomo, end of November-beginning of December
It promotes the local DOP olive oil. With shows, meetings, visits to the oil mills for tastings

Sausage festival: during the Carnival, on Monday, in Piazza Duomo.
Sausage sandwiches and wine, and afterwards dance in the square until night

Focaccia festival: piano dell’Acqua on 13th August
Country festival with dance, games and tasty “focacce” with the local good red wine.
Organized by the Associazione Culturale Piano dell’Acqua.

Rooster festival at the Chiaromonte way: Muti quarter, 17th August
The good old flavors and games, music, exhibitions and typical products sale
Organized by the associazione Muti

Grapes festival: Roccazzo, first half of September
It takes place in piazza Arciprete S.Curatolo, near the crossroad.
Organized by the Associazione Giovanile Roccazzo

Events

Chiaramonte Carnival: Carnival float parade with masked groups. Three days of carefree joy with masked groups and great final dance in the splendid Piazza Duomo

Ferragosto Gran gala, town gardens 14th August: a social event for the province of Ragusa.
“Finally came the day of the great open-air ball, it was Ferragosto . At Chiaramonte Gulfi in the evergreen garden hanging over the valley…”
G.Bufalino, Blind Argus

Chiaramonte Summer: cultural and sporting events, festivals from the end of July to the end of August.
A rich program attracting tourists and neihbouring people. In these days the towns museums are open.

Car race "Coppa Monti Iblei":: first half of September. It starts from Roccapalumba quarter, then it slopes up through hairpin bends, as far as the northern side of the town. A natural amphitheatre for motor spotters.

To know more
www.comune.chiaramonte-gulfi.gov.it

Thanks to Mr Alessandro for the material