Biancavilla

Biancavilla (Arbëreshë Albanian: Callìcari) is a town and comune in the Metropolitan City of Catania, Sicily, southern Italy. It is located between the towns of Adrano and S. Maria di Licodia, 32 kilometres (20 mi) northwest of Catania. The town was founded and historically inhabited by the Arbëreshë community.^[3]

Biancavilla
Comune
Comune di Biancavilla
Santa Maria Elemosina Cathedral
Coat of arms
Location of Biancavilla
Biancavilla Location of Biancavilla in Italy Show map of Italy Biancavilla Biancavilla (Sicily) Show map of Sicily
Coordinates: 37°39′N 14°52′E
Country	Italy
Region	Sicily
Metropolitan city	Catania (CT)
Government
• Mayor	Antonio Bonanno
Area [1]
• Total	70.28 km2 (27.14 sq mi)
Elevation	513 m (1,683 ft)
Population  (30 April 2017)[2]
• Total	24,150
• Density	340/km2 (890/sq mi)
Demonym	Biancavillesi
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	95033
Dialing code	095
Patron saint	St. Placidus and Maria SS. dell'Elemosina
Saint day	4-October 6
Website	Official website

History

The town was founded on 8 January 1488 by Albanian refugees. Led by Cesare Masi, they arrived in an area called Callicari and received the "Licentia Populandi" privilege from Santapau and Centelles, the presidents of the region of Sicily. Therefore, Albanian people established in that area and founded the town. The area was subsequently called Albavilla until in the year 1599, when the name became Biancavilla.