Giarratana
Italian comune
Giarratana is a town and comune in the province of Ragusa, Sicily, southern Italy. Giarratana is known as "the pearl of the Iblei" (Perla degli Iblei), and is located nearby the Irminio River.
Giarratana is home to significant archaeological findings. Early in its history, the town went through major historic phases, namely when it was known as the ancient town of Casmene, and later, the old town of Terrevecchia.
Etymology
The name Giarratana is derived from Cerretana, which is believed to be a derivative of the Italian phytonym cerro or Sicilian cerru.
Additionally, Sicilian etymologist Michele Pasqualino traces the name Giarratana from Ceratanum or Cerretanum, which stems from Latin for Quercus Cerris, roughly translating to a forest of Turkey Oak trees, reflecting the presence of many oak trees in the area. Alternative historic spellings include "Ceratanum, Cerretanum, Ceretanum,...Cerretana", Iarratana, Jaratana, and Jarratana.
Giarratana "...was once called Ceretanum from its fortress.", and many Greco-Siculi vases were found during excavations. In many sources, Giarratana is known as the old Ceretanum.
History
The ancient Greek archeologic site of Casmene, founded in 643 B.C., is located to the east of modern day Giarratana.
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