«Nomen habet ab aluminis mineris proximis». Estrazione dell’allume e dinamiche insediative in un centro siciliano d’età moderna

The fall of Constantinople in 1453 caused the collapse in Eastern alum trade and the strengthening in the search of that precious material in Europe. Sicily took part in the search for alum and an active mine in the north-eastern cusp attracted the attention of Sicilian and foreign dealers, it was the starting point for the development of a new demic centre, similarly to what was established in other areas of the Mediterranean basin.