Cinisi

Cinisi (; Template:Langx ) is a town and a comune in the Metropolitan City of Palermo in Sicily. As of 1 January 2022 it has a population of 11.846.

Geography

The town is part of the Palermo metropolitan area, borders with the municipalities of Carini and Terrasini and count the civil parish (frazione) of Punta Raisi, seat of Palermo Airport. It is from Palermo centre, from Trapani and from Alcamo.

Culture

Cinisi's cultural life revolves significantly around its central piazza, which serves as the location of communal activities. The town square hosts various events, from concerts and festivals to activities for both children and adults. Events held in the area include:

• Carnivale parade: The annual Carnivale features elaborately themed papier-mâché floats created by local citizens. These floats compete for the most impressive design and theme, and the event includes parades, DJ and BBQ/food floats, and dance performances along the main street "Corso Umberto I". The Carnivale's attendees occupy the town in elaborate costumes and masks. The festivities traditionally begin with "Lu Nannu (Grandpa)", a symbolic figure of the Carnivale, being paraded from the train station to the town center, accompanied by majorettes, drummers, and a marching band. On the final day, the floats are judged, and the creators of the best float receive a cash award, and the funeral of lu nannu is held (previously an effigy was burnt).
• Summer festivals: In the Summer, the piazza often becomes a venue for music festivals and concerts, where local and regional artists perform, providing entertainment for the community and tourists.
• Festival of the Madonna del Furi: Another event held locally is the celebration of the Madonna del Furi, featuring religious processions and festivities.

Giuseppe Impastato

Famous anti-mafia activist Giuseppe Impastato was assassinated in Cinisi by the Mafia in 1978. Today, his boyhood home can be found on the main street of Cinisi, Corso Umberto I, and is open to tourists. The house displays evidence and tells the interesting and significant story of Impastato, or "Peppino", as some knew him, in his final years as he fought the Mafia. Cinisi also has landmarks and places related to Impastato's life that attract many school groups and writers.

Demographics

• Note: 2007 estimation by The World Gazetteer.

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Transport

The Falcone-Borsellino Airport of Palermo, also known as Punta Raisi, is located in its municipal territory. Cinisi counts a pair of train stations (Cinisi-Terrasini on the Palermo-Trapani line and Punta Raisi, served by the Palermo metropolitan railway service) and is served by the A29 motorway.

Personalities

• Giovanni Meli (1740–1815), Sicilian poet.
• Gaetano Badalamenti (1923–2004), leading Mafia figure held responsible for the murder of Giuseppe Impastato.
• Giuseppe Impastato (1948–1978), political activist against the Mafia. The 2000 film I cento passi, dedicated to him, was filmed in Cinisi.