history

Santa Flavia, a municipality of the Province of Palermo, is located about 16.5 km east of Palermo, the provincial and regional capital. It stands at the feet of Mount Catalano in a flat area of land covered with citrus trees.

Also the towns of Porticello, Sant’Elia and Solanto are a part of Santa Flavia.

The ruins of ancient Solunto are just 2 km away from Santa Flavia.

One of the most important centers in Punic Sicily, Solunto, Soloeis or Solus; is situated nearby on the Southeastern slopes of Monte Catalfano. The city was founded in the 4th century BC, possibly in the vicinity of a more ancient Phoenician site. It was conquered by the Romans in 250 BC, and declined after the 2nd century AD. The modern town developed aound the castle of Solanto. It was a fief of the Cabreras, the Spadaforas, the Alliatas and the Mantegnas.

In 1666 Peter I Filangeri, Count of Sittafari, followed the example of the many aristocratic families from Palermo that chose Palermo's surroundings as the place where to build their sumptuous villas. He built his estate in this area (Villa Filangeri). Santa Flavia's territory has always had a special appeal especially for Palermo's aristocrats and wealthy bourgeoisie.The phenomenon is rooted far back in history and it still continues to manifest itself unmistakably as soon as the summer arrives and the villas scattered among the orange and lemon groves are repopulated.The origins and history of Santa Flavia, as opposed to other towns whose origins are shrouded in mystery, are clear to all.It is well known that the origins and development of the urban settlement of Santa Flavia date back to the arrival of the FILANGERI family in the area. Peter I Filangeri designed the plan for the original town.