racetrack
Autodromo di Pergusa
Sicily's fastest circuit, a near-5 km ring wrapped around Lake Pergusa in the island's mythic heart. Once hosted non-championship F1 races won by the likes of Brabham and Fittipaldi.
22 km · about 25 min drive
EuropeItalySicily
Caltanissetta
Sicily, Italy · Europe
About Caltanissetta
Caltanissetta is worth a stop: 15 minutes from San Cataldo, 51km from Targa Florio Circuit (Madonie).
Caltanissetta is in Sicily, Italy, with about 63,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is San Cataldo, about 7 km away.
Caltanissetta (Sicilian: Cartanissètta) is a city and municipality in the autonomous region of Sicily in Italy, and the capital of the free municipal consortium of Caltanissetta. In 2025, it has a population of 58,045.
The earliest inhabitants of the surrounding territory were the Sicani, who established variousRead more
settlements as early as the 19th century BC. However, the modern city was likely founded in the 10th century during the Islamic period in Sicily, when the name "Caltanissetta" is believed to have originated, though alternative theories have been proposed over time. Under the Normans, it was transformed into a feudal holding, and after various transitions, it came under the control of the Montcada of Paternò in 1405. This noble family governed the County of Caltanissetta until 1812, leaving behind the Baroque-style Palazzo Moncada, constructed in the 17th century.
From the 19th century onward, Caltanissetta experienced significant industrial growth due to its extensive sulfur deposits, establishing it as a key mining center. Its prominence in the sulfur industry earned it the nickname "world sulfur capital," and in 1862, it became home to Italy's first mining institute, the Sebastiano Mottura Institute. During the 1930s, despite fascist censorship, the city enjoyed a period of cultural vibrancy, leading Leonardo Sciascia to describe it as a "little Athens." After World War II, the mining sector declined, plunging the local economy into crisis. Today, the city's economy relies predominantly on the tertiary sector.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Caltanissetta?
Within an hour or so of Caltanissetta: Autodromo di Pergusa (22 km), Villa Romana del Casale (28 km), Valley of the Temples (47 km), Targa Florio Museum (49 km).
Are there any good drives near Caltanissetta?
The nearest famous roads are Targa Florio Circuit (Madonie).
Where is Caltanissetta?
Caltanissetta is in Sicily, Italy, about 7 km from San Cataldo.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 62,797
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Italy
- Region
- Sicily
- Timezone
- Europe/Rome
- Coordinates
- 37.4903, 14.0622
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Italy
ACI roadside assistance: 803 116. ZTL (limited traffic zones) in city centres are camera-enforced.
Full driving guide for ItalyTags
Worth the detour from Caltanissetta
6 notable places within an hour's drive.
ancient ruins
Villa Romana del Casale
A luxurious Roman villa near Piazza Armerina with the world's richest collection of ancient mosaics.
28 km · about 30 min drive
ancient ruins
Valley of the Temples
A magnificent complex of well-preserved ancient Greek temples in Agrigento, Sicily, dating to the 5th century BC.
47 km · about 55 min drive
museum
Targa Florio Museum
Small museum in the Madonie hill town of Collesano honouring the Targa Florio, the world's oldest road race, run on these mountain roads from 1906. Photos, cars and memorabilia of racing legends.
49 km · about 55 min drive
famous road
Targa Florio Circuit (Madonie)
The public mountain roads near Cerda in Sicily that hosted the world's oldest road race from 1906 to 1977; the old Floriopoli pits still stand and the 72 km Piccolo Circuito remains driveable today.
51 km · about 60 min drive
natural wonder
Scala dei Turchi
A striking white marlstone cliff formation on Sicily's southern coast shaped like a giant natural staircase descending to the sea.
57 km · about 65 min drive
Driving roads near Caltanissetta
- 51 kmTarga Florio Circuit (Madonie)The public mountain roads near Cerda in Sicily that hosted the world's oldest road race from 1906 to 1977; the old Floriopoli pits still stand and the 72 km Piccolo Circuito remains driveable today.
Driving in Italy
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.82/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€8.50/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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