# Acireale

> Italian comune

**Wikidata**: [Q19319](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19319)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acireale)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/acireale

## Summary
Acireale is a comune (municipality) located in the Metropolitan City of Catania, within the autonomous island region of Sicily, Italy. Known for its historical landmarks, cultural heritage, and association football club, Acireale serves as a significant urban center in eastern Sicily, blending Baroque architecture, coastal landscapes, and local traditions.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Situated in the Metropolitan City of Catania, Sicily, Italy, at coordinates 37.6125° N, 15.165555555556° E.
- **Population**: Approximately 52,629 residents (varies slightly by year: 52,269, 52,574, 50,399, 50,515).
- **Administrative Division**: A *comune* (municipality) within the Province of Catania and the Metropolitan City of Catania (established August 4, 2015).
- **Historical Landmarks**:
  - **Acireale Cathedral**: Built in 1889.
  - **Basilica of St. Sebastian**: Founded in 1609.
  - **Fortezza del Tocco**: A fort dating back to 1592.
  - **Santi Pietro e Paolo**: A notable building constructed in 1889.
- **Transportation**:
  - **Acireale Railway Station**: A key railway hub in the region.
  - **Guardia-Mangano-Santa Venerina Railway Stop**: A nearby railway stop.
- **Sports**:
  - **Città di Acireale 1946**: A local association football club founded in 1946, competing in Serie D and playing at Stadio Aci e Galatea.
- **Neighborhoods/Frazioni**:
  - **Santa Tecla**: A frazione (subdivision) of Acireale.
  - **Santa Maria La Stella**: A human settlement within Acireale.
- **Economy**: Home to **Sibat Tomarchio**, a soft drink company founded in 1920.
- **Website**: Official municipal website at [https://www.comune.acireale.ct.it/](https://www.comune.acireale.ct.it/).
- **Aliases**: Also known as *Aci-Realë*.

## FAQs

**What is the historical significance of Acireale?**
Acireale is renowned for its Baroque architecture and historical landmarks, including the Acireale Cathedral (1889) and the Fortezza del Tocco (1592), which reflect its rich cultural heritage and strategic importance in Sicily.

**What are the main transportation hubs in Acireale?**
The city is served by the Acireale Railway Station and the nearby Guardia-Mangano-Santa Venerina railway stop, connecting it to other parts of Sicily and Italy.

**What is the role of Città di Acireale 1946 in the local community?**
Città di Acireale 1946 is a historic football club founded in 1946, playing in Serie D. It fosters local sports culture and community identity, with home matches held at Stadio Aci e Galatea.

**What are the notable neighborhoods or frazioni of Acireale?**
Key subdivisions include Santa Tecla and Santa Maria La Stella, each contributing to the city’s diverse urban and rural landscape.

**What industries or companies are based in Acireale?**
Acireale is home to Sibat Tomarchio, a soft drink company established in 1920, which is a notable local business contributing to the regional economy.

## Why It Matters
Acireale plays a vital role in Sicily’s cultural and historical landscape, preserving Baroque architecture and local traditions while serving as an economic and transportation hub. Its football club, Città di Acireale 1946, strengthens community ties through sports, and its strategic location within the Metropolitan City of Catania enhances regional connectivity. The city’s blend of heritage, industry, and urban development makes it a key player in eastern Sicily’s identity and growth.

## Notable For
- **Baroque Architecture**: Home to landmarks like Acireale Cathedral and the Basilica of St. Sebastian.
- **Historical Fortifications**: The Fortezza del Tocco (1592) highlights its military past.
- **Football Legacy**: Città di Acireale 1946, a long-standing Serie D club with a rich history.
- **Local Industry**: Hosting Sibat Tomarchio, a historic soft drink manufacturer.
- **Transportation Hub**: Connected via Acireale Railway Station and nearby stops.
- **Cultural Heritage**: Recognized for its frazioni like Santa Tecla and Santa Maria La Stella.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Acireale is located in the Metropolitan City of Catania, part of the autonomous region of Sicily, Italy. It lies at coordinates 37.6125° N, 15.165555555556° E, with a population of approximately 52,629. As a *comune*, it operates under the administrative framework of the Province of Catania and the broader Metropolitan City of Catania, established in 2015. The municipality includes frazioni such as Santa Tecla and Santa Maria La Stella.

### Historical and Cultural Landmarks
Acireale is celebrated for its architectural and historical sites:
- **Acireale Cathedral**: Constructed in 1889, it is a prominent religious and architectural landmark.
- **Basilica of St. Sebastian**: Founded in 1609, it is a key example of Baroque design.
- **Fortezza del Tocco**: Built in 1592, this fort reflects the city’s strategic military history.
- **Santi Pietro e Paolo**: A notable building from 1889, contributing to the city’s cultural fabric.

### Transportation and Infrastructure
The city is well-connected through its railway infrastructure:
- **Acireale Railway Station**: A central hub for regional and national rail services.
- **Guardia-Mangano-Santa Venerina Railway Stop**: Provides additional connectivity for nearby areas.

### Sports and Community
Città di Acireale 1946, founded in 1946, is the city’s primary football club. It competes in Serie D and plays its home matches at Stadio Aci e Galatea. The club is a cornerstone of local sports culture, with nicknames like "Jacitani" and "Acesi," and has been managed by notable figures such as Walter Mazzarri (2001–2002) and Franco Scoglio (1976–1977).

### Economy and Industry
Acireale hosts **Sibat Tomarchio**, a soft drink company established in 1920, which remains a significant local employer and contributor to the regional economy.

### Digital Presence
The municipality maintains an official website at [https://www.comune.acireale.ct.it/](https://www.comune.acireale.ct.it/), providing information on local governance, services, and cultural events.

### Related Entities
- **Metropolitan City of Catania**: The broader administrative region encompassing Acireale.
- **Province of Catania**: The historical provincial division to which Acireale belongs.
- **Sibat Tomarchio**: A local soft drink manufacturer with a century-long history.
- **Stadio Aci e Galatea**: The home stadium of Città di Acireale 1946.

This structured overview captures Acireale’s multifaceted role as a cultural, historical, and economic center in Sicily.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Czech National Authority Database
4. MusicBrainz
5. [Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/bilmens2016gen/index02.html)
6. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2018/index3.html)
7. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2017. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2017/index3.html)
8. [Source](https://demo.istat.it/app/?a=2023&i=D7B)
9. [Source](https://demo.istat.it/?l=it)
10. [Source](https://it-ch.topographic-map.com/map-9pkb5k/Acireale/?zoom=19&center=37.61227%2C15.16601&popup=37.61223%2C15.16599)
11. [Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011. Italian National Institute of Statistics](https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224)
12. Wiki Loves Monuments Italia
13. Quora
14. Seismic classification in Italy
15. [Source](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/sismico/attivita/classificazione-sismica)