Contessa Entellina is a small town in the metropolitan city of Palermo, on the Italian island of Sicily. It is situated in the mountains, about 80km from Palermo, amongst beautiful landscapes of farmland, vineyards, and olive groves. The population of the town is around 2,000 people.
The town was founded in the late 15th century, by refugee Albanians who wanted to establish their cultural and linguistic identity. The people of Contessa Entellina still retain some of the customs, traditions, and language (Arbëreshë) of their Albanian ancestors. This unique blend of Italian and Albanian culture makes the town a fascinating destination.
Contessa Entellina has several historical sites including the Mother Church, dedicated to Saint Vitus, with a wooden statue that dates back to the 17th century. Furthermore, it has a municipal park called "Parco della Contessa", and a number of festivities are celebrated annually, which include the feast of Saint Joseph and Our Lady of Loreto.
The region is also well known for its wine production. Many local families grow and harvest their own grapes to produce Contessa Entellina DOC wines, particularly known for their red wines. Additionally, the town is famous for the traditional foods and sweets it produces such as honey biscuits called Mustazzoli and cannoli, one of the most famous Sicilian desserts.
