X-Nico

2 unusual facts about Portella della Ginestra massacre


Portella della Ginestra massacre

From May 1893, during the period of the Fasci Siciliani, the peasants of the neighbouring towns of Piana degli Albanesi, San Giuseppe Jato and San Cipirello used to gather at Portella della Ginestra for the Labour Day celebrations at the initiative of the physician and peasant leader Nicola Barbato, who used to speak to the crowd from a big rock that was later called "Barbato's Stone".

Until the massacre, Giuliano had been regarded by many as a modern day Robin Hood who stole from (and even kidnapped) wealthy Sicilians to help the impoverished Sicilians.


Francesco Cuccia

Cuccia has also been mentioned as one of the mafiosi behind the Portella della Ginestra massacre during a Labour Day manifestation on May 1, 1947, when 11 people were killed and 33 wounded by the bandit Salvatore Giuliano.


see also