Bridge from the Past
The bronze statue (shown, below) is located in the main piazza of Grammichele, and depicts the prince of Butera, Carlo Maria Carafa stepping from the past (Occhiula) to the present (Grammichele). The prince laid the foundation stone of Grammichele a few weeks after the destruction of Occhiula.
The ruins of Occhiula are still accessible, not far from Grammichele, and have been preserved for visitors to explore. The photograph, above, reveals the remains of walls of medieval buildings and shows guard rails to maintain the safety of visitors. On the high land of the far horizon can be seen the more modern town of Grammichele. This close proximity of the two settlements has guaranteed that the origins and social links to the past have been ensured in this little corner of Sicily.