At the beginning of the 17th century there was only a small flat area called
Terra Nova or
San Francesco, then by order of the governor of Alcamo, Don Pietro Balsamo, they began the works for the opening of
Corso 6 Aprile. The part underlying the square was used for the extraction of
Calcarenite, and there were many caves that were once employed as dwellings, and later, thanks to their favourable temperature, for the processing of
calfskins. As people used the area for a dumping ground, it was necessary a work of consolidation and settling in order to avoid landslides: it was made according to the project of the engineer
Fra Cipolla from Nicosia in the early 19th century. In 1930 they realized the walls of the bastion and restored and fenced the small garden, called Villa
Margherita of Savoy at that time: they also planted several trees and flowers, placing a rounded pond. Together with Piazza Ciullo and Piazza della Repubblica, it is one of the largest squares in Alcamo leading into Corso 6 Aprile; here you can admire two magnificent
bas-riliefs realized by
Nicola Rubino, a sculptor from Alcamo, in 1961 and representing "The poet
Cielo d'Alcamo at the court of
Frederick II" and "Active life of Alcamo", portrayed through a rural scene with symbolic figures. The work was commissioned to the sculptor by the senator
Ludovico Corrao, the Lord Mayor of that time. On the left of
Porta Palermo there is the garden entitled to Bagolino, with some imposing trees; opposite to it there is the entrance of Parco suburbano San Francesco, rich with different plants typical of the Mediterranean flora. From Piazza Bagolino, also called Belvedere, you can enjoy one of the most picturesque landscapes of the sweet hills of Alcamo countryside, with the geometrical lines drawn by rows of vineyards, olive trees and characteristic
baglios in the distance. The place is not properly enlighted, but actually the strong point is its belvedere: on 21 June, during the feast of
Madonna of Miracles (the Patroness of Alcamo), it is the best placet o look at fireworks. From Piazza Bagolino you can enter Corso 6 Aprile and, in few minutes, reach the town centre on foot. ==Parco suburbano San Francesco==