Tragedy in Belice
In January 1968, a devastating earthquake struck western Sicily in the Belice Valley, destroying dozens of towns and villages in seconds. Among them was Gibellina, a historic town with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. The inhabitants were evacuated, and a new Gibellina was built a few kilometres away - but the original town was left in ruins.
All that was left was a silent wasteland under the Sicilian sun. And it is on this very spot that a unique monument was created, which today fascinates visitors from all over the world.
An artistic response to the destruction: Alberto Burri and Cretto
In the 1980s, the world-renowned Italian artist Alberto Burri was called upon to portray the memory of the destroyed Gibellina. The result is Cretto di Burri, a monumental concrete installation that replicates the layout of the original city.
Burri "wrapped" the ruins in concrete, creating a kind of bandage over the wounded landscape. The blocks of concrete follow the lines of the streets and houses as they looked before the earthquake. Today, you can walk among them as among the ghosts of the past, in silence and emptiness.
Practical information
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Location
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Best time to visit: spring and autumn (in summer the concrete is extremely hot)
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Parking is available nearby, admission is free
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Take comfortable shoes and water with you - a large area without shade awaits you
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There are no snacks, shops or hustle and bustle - just silence and art
The Cretto di Burri is not an ordinary tourist attraction. You won't find souvenirs or queues. Just a huge white concrete field, silence, wind and a powerful story.
Why should you visit Cretto di Burri?
If you're looking for unusual places in Sicily, Cretto di Burri will hit the spot. It is an emotionally powerful place that carries the memory of disaster, artistic vision and the power of human memory.
Final tip: Visit the new Gibellina first and then head to the ruins of the old town. The contrast between the modern architecture and the concrete wasteland will not leave you cold.
