The history of the Real Maestranza of Caltanissetta

The Maestranza in Caltanissetta was born in the Early Modern period, as a kind of urban police: in 1551 there is news of a sole sody of a Town Militia, at whose command post there was a Capitano d’Arme. Already at that time, the militias took part in the lavish Baroque processions celebrated in honour of the patron saints of the city and, above all, in the rites of Holy Week. In 1806, Ferdinand IV of Bourbon, King of Naples and Sicily, granted the association the privilege to use the title of Real (Royal) Maestranza (guild). Shortly after, however, the body was demilitarized. Originally, the Maestranza consisted of only four categories of crafts. At the beginning of the twentieth century, however, the number doubled. Today, the association consists of ten classes, each headed by a Consul: bakers, plumbers and tinsmiths, barbers, painters and decorators, bricklayers, marble workers, falegnami e ebanisti, carpentieri e ferraioli, shoe makers, cobblers and blacksmiths, carpenters.