Santa Maria La Nova

Construction of this imposing and majestic neoclassical building began in 1536 and was completed in 1622. The Cathedral was built in an olive grove outside the old city, with its back to the oldest urbanized neighborhoods, and its grandeur was strikingly out of place for the population that then inhabited the city. The large wooden door is noteworthy, featuring four coats of arms: on the right, the coat of arms of Caltanissetta depicting the three-towered castle, and the coat of arms of Saint Michael, the city's patron saint. On the left side of the door, however, are two additional coats of arms, one with a crown and the other with a speared sword, although their origins are unknown. The interior, in the shape of a Latin cross, is divided into three naves supported by fourteen arches, each dedicated to a figure from the Old Testament.

Founded by the Byzantines and dominated by the Arabs and Normans, Caltanissetta retains traces of medieval walls and watchtowers in its urban layout, now integrated into Baroque palaces. The Cathedral of Santa Maria la Nova and the Church of Santa Croce, with exquisite late-Renaissance stucco, interact with the sober Baroque Palazzo Moncada, a princely residence transformed into an elegant cultural center. The narrow streets of the historic center still evoke memories of the carusi (traditional peasants) and workers who brought life to the surrounding sulphur mines, while the Archaeological Museum houses artifacts from the Nuragic sanctuaries and Roman settlements that flourished along the nearby Salso River. In the square in front of the San Giuliano hill, a natural viewpoint offers a panoramic view of the entire Imera Meridionale valley. The gastronomic tradition, nourished by local products such as nougat, cubbaita, rollò, pistachios, and almonds, is celebrated in small restaurants with seasonal menus and in local markets, treasure troves of Mediterranean colors and aromas.