Sciacca became known as "Thermae Selinuntinas" during the Roman period and achieved some level of prominence. Sciacca declined during the Byzantine era and was later invaded, along with the rest of Sicily by the Sarancens (Arabs) from North Africa in the 9th century. With the Arabs came a new name, Sciacca (“as-Shaqqah” in Arabic), which may have meant “seaside cliffs” in Arabic. With the Norman invasion in the 12th Century, Sciacca resumed its Christian ways as monasteries replaced mosques. During the Middle Ages, Sciacca was the seat of several powerful ruling families, but was frequently the victim of feuds between the lords and vassals.

Today, Sciacca is best known for its beautiful beaches, gorgeous views, delicious seafood, exquisite ceramics, and artistic works from the Baroque and medieval periods. Architectural monuments from each of its historic periods can be found throughout the city (Greek, Roman, Arab, Norman, and Spanish). Its thermal bathes were renovated in the 1950s which helped re-launch the town. As a result, Sciacca has grown both in popularity as well as population as tourism has flourished. It is also known to host one of the best Carnevale festivals (i.e. Mardi Gras) in all of Italy.

There are at least two patron saints in Sciacca.  San (St.) Calogero was a monk, healer, scholar, protector. He is depicted as an elderly dark skinned man, reportedly from Constantinople and is revered in the region. According to legend, he lived in th 5th Century and cured the sick, especially children with the vapors of the grotto, named in his honor. Today, feasts are celebrated in Sciacca and in other locals around Agrigento commemorating his life and good deeds.

Madonna del Soccorso is also a patron saint of the city.  She is revered for the many miracles which she has bestowed upon the city which began in the year 1300 and continued for centuries.  She is credited with ridding the city of the black plague in 1626.  In devotion to their saint, the townspeople erected a statue in her honor which they carry around the city during her feast day of August 15.  In 1907, the Vatican declared her the "patroness of Sciacca".  A similar festival is held each year in Boston by local fisherman.

Quartara

Ceramics has played an important role in Sciacca’s history with pottery being found as early at the 7th century BC. The term quartara appears throughout Sicilian folklore. It signifies a Grecian-like ceramic urn or pitcher, known for its two jug handles on either side, providing it balance and symmetry. The word quartara was also used as an ancient unit for measuring liquid capacity, which probably dictated the size of the urn. (In Sicily it measured over 4 gallons or 17.2 liters – a heavy load to carry, while elsewhere it was equal to about 4 ½ liters or about a a gallon). The quartara was used for centuries throughout Sicily as a means of storing water, wine, oil, or even food. (The “aro” suffix in Italian denotes occupation or maker of, so the name Quartararo likely means a potter specializing in these pitchers). It was very common to see boys or women carrying la quartara on their shoulders, taking water or wine into the house, or carrying food to workers in the field.

Today, one may find the quartara used by traditional musical folk groups. (A musical sound can be made by blowing into the pitcher). They can also be found in kitchens, as decorative ceramic decor. These hand painted items are showcased in designer ceramic shops throughout Sciacca.

Ignazio’s Tale

Ignazio was said to have grown up in a family which owned a cotton farm in Sciacca. He was married in 1891 at the age of 28 to a local “Sciaccatani” girl named Maria Libassi, 8 years his junior. Maria, born in 1871 hailed from a family of fishermen, a common local occupation for a fishing village. Her parents, Accursia Sabella and Filippo Libassi had (it is believed) at least 9 children. They included: Antonio, Nicolo, Accursia, Calogero, Pietro, Giuseppe, Maria, and Nunzia. Maria and Ignazio had their first child, Antonina, in Sciacca on August 14, 1892.

Sometime between 1892 to 1895*, Ignazio had decided that he too would set sail for America. Many times these trans Atlantic trips were arranged by “patroni” or brokers who would take a fee to arrange for passage and work in America. According to 1900 Census docuements, Ignazio apparently made the journey first, then came back for his bride the following year, which was not uncommon. Many of Maria’s brothers and sisters followed. Ignazio and Maria settled on Elizabeth Street in the heart of Little Italy, an area overflowing with thousands of Italian immigrants like them. Elizabeth Street, in fact, was the “Sicilian” street, as Italians tended to migrate toward their fellow paisani. The Calabrese settled on Mott Street while Mulberry Street, two blocks east, was the “Neapolitan” Street. Even on Elizabeth Street, immigrants tended to live in sections of the street with people from their local village or town.

Ignazio, with no trade, found that the streets were not paved with gold as he thought. In fact, they weren’t paved at all. Instead, he found, companies were hiring immigrants to pave them. Most Italian immigrants, were illiterate and 40% were unskilled laborers. By the early 1900s, 25% of all laborers in NY were Italian, who accounted for over 90% of the workers in public works projects, including roads, sewers, tunnels, subways and bridges. “Day laborers” were sent to different projects on a day to day basis. It is very possible that Ignazio may have even helped build Grand Central Station (recently renovated to its old glory).

Maria’s brothers on the other hand, Calogero, Accursio (Gus), Nicolo, and Antonio (Nino) carried their trade from Sciacca and sold fish to local residents from straw baskets with ice. They also settled on Elizabeth Street and had prolific families. Calogero married Nunzia Gelardi and had 7 or 8 children. Accursio (Gus) and wife Anna Scaduto had 8 children. Nicolo had two wives (both named Maria) and had two children with the first and one with the second. Antonio married Angelina Campo and had 4 children.

It was not uncommon for immigrant families to move from one tenement to another. In most instances, living conditions in tenements were harsh. Records show at least four residences for Ignazio and Maria in NYC, the first two in Little Italy from 1897 – 1900. Later records show a move to the lower east side (Cherry Street) – a mixed area of Italian and Jewish immigrants (1903-1907):

Jan 1897 ……………… 125 Elizabeth Street
April 1900 ……………… 211 Elizabeth Street
July 1903 ……………… 134 Cherry Street
April 1907 ……………… 148 Cherry Street

Ignazio and his wife would return to Sciacca to visit his family several times. Their second child, Pietro (my grandfather), was born on New Years Day, 1897 in New York. The following year, daughter Accursia was born. By around 1900, it is believed the family returned to Italy when Maria was pregnant with her daughter Maria. (It is unclear if Pietro and Antonina made this trip with the family, but probably so). They returned to New York where Maria was born in April, 1900. Three years later, in July, 1903, a second son, Filippo was born. Ignazio would return to Sciacca one final time in 1904 with the entire family, after, it is said, his mother had a premonition that it would be the last time she would see her son. Maria was pregnant with Lucia at the time and after they returned home in 1905, Ignazio’s mother died a short time later.

The Final Voyage

Ignazio would arrive back in New York for the final time on April 2, 1905 with daughter Maria, Pietro and Accursia aboard the Sicilian Prince. (For some odd reason, his name was listed in several ships’ manifests as “Luciano”). He would leave his wife Maria, daughter Antonina, and his son Fillipo behind, (presumably) in the care of a family friend who would escort them home the following month.