Monaco di Mezzo has for centuries been the heart of the Monaco fiefdom, which was divided into three districts (Monaco di Sopra, Monaco di Mezzo Monaco di Sotto) with farms connected together via “trazzere”. The Masseria Monaco di Mezzo is the church where the people of the fiefdom would celebrate Mass.
Until a few decades ago, the block was surrounded by “pagliari”, rustic stone and straw huts where settlers’ families lived in the cold season. The local economy was driven by the large estates, who aimed for the most efficient use of land for extensive crops based on available technical and human resources. Wheat and sheep farming products were and are central to the Company income, with the olive tree and vineyard were introduced to meet business needs.
The Feudo Monaco was purchased by Baron Michele Pottino in 1855, by the Commission for the sale of Church property, being the owner of the Opera Pia Barone Agliata of Petralia Sottana.
