Burgio

Burgio (Sicilian: Burgiu) is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Agrigento in the Italian region Sicily, located about 60 kilometres (37 mi) south of Palermo and about 40 kilometres (25 mi) northwest of Agrigento. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 3,031 and an area of 42.2 square kilometres (16.3 sq mi).

Burgio borders the following municipalities: Caltabellotta, Chiusa Sclafani, Lucca Sicula, Palazzo Adriano, Villafranca Sicula.

History

Burgio has a rich and ancient history. The exact date of the founding of Burgio is not known, however it is known that it already existed in the 14th century, when the inhabitants of the nearby Scirtea joined those of Burgio. In 1282 C.E., Burgio's mayor was among several mayors invited to the Sicilian parliament by Peter I of Aragon, King of Sicily. The first sultan of Burgio was Ali Bin Chema (King Amir, of the Idrisid dynasty), who left his kingdom in inheritance to Hamud. Hamud lost his kingdom in 1087 C.E. during the war against Roger I of Sicily. As a result, he was forced to surrender and leave the territory. Throughout the centuries, Burgio was ruled by lords and sultans who enriched it with royal palaces that remain well-preserved to this day, such as the Antioch, the Peralta, the Gioeni and the Colonna.