Gela is a commune in the province of Caltanissetta, in the island of Sicily, Italy.

Gela is a city in the province of Caltanissetta in the south of Sicily, Italy. The city is at about 84 kilometers distance from the city of Caltanisetta , on the Mediterranean Sea. In 2001 the city had about 72,444 inhabitants. The city is larger than the provincial capital and is one of the largest but not in area which is second.

Gela is an important industrial city and port town. One important industry that is located here is that of petrol refinery. The city can be reached from other cities, like Syracuse en Caltanissetta, by train.

Map of Italy showing Gela in the south of Sicily

Very brief history

Around 688 BC, the city was founded by colonists from Rhodos and Crete, 45 years after Syracuse. The city was named after the river Gela . The Greek had many colonies in the south of current Italy, and for many centuries the Greek influence has been great here. Aischylos died in this city in 456 BC. From Gela, other parts of the island were also hellenized. Much archeological research has been taken place in and around the city and the archaeological museum exhibits many artefacts from the earlier periods of the city's history, among which there are a lot of vases. Both archaeology and writers from the classical period supply excellent sources for information on the earlier history of the city and surroundings.

In 405 BC, the city was sacked by Carthage. It became abandoned in 282 BC.

The later city was founded in AD 1233 by Frederick II by the name Terranova di Sicilia, by which it remained known until 1928.

Bounding communes

• Acate (RG)
• Butera
• Caltagirone (CT)
• Mazzarino
• Niscemi

Population history

• 1996: 72,535
• 2001: 72,444

Sights in and around Gela

• Akropolis
• Archeological museum
• Archeological site Capo Soprano
• Greek temples

External Links

• Mapquest - Gela
• - Very extensive information on archeology at Gela