Palma di Montechiaro | ||
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Comune | ||
Comune di Palma di Montechiaro | ||
The Mother Church in Palma di Montechiaro.
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Location of Palma di Montechiaro in Italy | ||
Coordinates: 37°12′N 13°46′E / 37.200°N 13.767°ECoordinates: 37°12′N 13°46′E / 37.200°N 13.767°E | ||
Country | Italy | |
Region | Sicily | |
Province / Metropolitan city | Agrigento (AG) | |
Frazioni | Marina di Palma, Villaggio Giordano | |
Government | ||
• Mayor | D.ssa Rosa Inzerilli (Comm.) | |
Area | ||
• Total | 76 km2 (29 sq mi) | |
Elevation | 165 m (541 ft) | |
Population (31.12.2011) | ||
• Total | 23,927 | |
• Density | 310/km2 (820/sq mi) | |
Demonym(s) | Palmesi | |
Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
• Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
Postal code | 92020 | |
Dialing code | 0922 | |
Patron saint | Maria Santissima del Rosario | |
Saint day | 8 September |
Palma di Montechiaro (Sicilian: Parma di Muntichiaru) is a town and comune in the province of Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy.
Formerly known as Palma, in 1863, Montechiaro was added to the name, in honour of the Chiaramonte family whose stronghold is close to the town.
In 2002, La Repubblica reported the presence of the prominent Italian politician Angelino Alfano (a Silvio Berlusconi protégé) at the 1996 wedding of the daughter of Croce Napoli (died 2001), believed by investigators to be the Mafia boss of Palma di Montechiaro, as shown on an amateur video of the party. Alfano, then a deputy of the Sicilian Regional Assembly, was greeted with affection by Croce Napoli. Alfano at first told La Repubblica he had "no memory or recollection of this wedding" and that "I never participated in a wedding of Mafia or of their children, I do not know his wife, Gabriella, and I've never heard of Mr. Croce Napoli who was said to be boss of Palma di Montechiaro." Later he said that he remembered that he was actually at the wedding but had been invited by the groom and did not know the bride and her family.