Cretto di Gibellina, the largest contemporary artwork in the world

That Italy is a country brimming with enchanting places and magical landscapes is well known across the world.

For those who love basking in warm sunshine and breathing in the fresh Mediterranean air, there are certain hidden gems of rare beauty that rival even the most sought-after exotic destinations.

Travelling across Sicily from its northeastern tip, just a few kilometres from Calabria as the crow flies, down to the province of Trapani, passing the stunning city of Palermo, one quickly realises they have arrived at the island’s premier hotspot for those in search of the most breathtaking and evocative seaside retreats.

Gibellina: why visit this hidden gem in the heart of Sicily?

The western part of Sicily (famous for the stunning island of Favignana and the picturesque promontory of San Vito lo Capo) is a magnet for tens of thousands of tourists each year. Visitors flock here to immerse themselves in unspoiled nature and enjoy long swims in the crystal-clear waters along the coast.

Venturing inland, halfway between the towns of Alcamo and Castelvetrano, lies a truly unique town, both for its remarkable history and the cultural significance it holds.

This is Gibellina, a town in the Belice Valley that was completely destroyed in January 1968 by a devastating earthquake, erasing centuries of history in an instant.

Great Cretto of Gibellina: everything you need to know before visiting

A few years later, while a new town, Gibellina Nuova, was being built slightly further south, Alberto Burri launched a project to breathe new life into the devastated village. The rubble was compacted, encased in a layer of concrete, and laid across the ruined site, forming what is now known as the Great Cretto.

This monumental environmental artwork consists of an intricate network of cracks and fractures, mirroring the streets and alleyways of the old town, carved between imposing blocks that stand 1.6 metres high. Covering an area of 80,000 square metres, it remains one of the largest contemporary art installations in the world.

Article translated by Agnese Giardini

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