Cav. Michelangelo Libertini

Younger son of Barone Gesualdo Libertini di San Marco Lo Vecchio, from an ancient family of notaries originating from Lentini, he held significant roles in the administration of Caltagirone, ultimately serving as the Patrician, or mayor, of the city until around the end of 1890. He was distinguished for his skill in governing the city, honesty, and integrity, as evidenced by the caption at the base of his portrait, the original of which is preserved at the Municipality of Caltagirone in the hall that houses the portraits of successive mayors. He married Giulia Pluchinotta, with whom he had two children, Gesualdo and Francesca. He was also a generous patron to several talented but underprivileged young people.

Senator Gesualdo Libertini
Eldest son of Michelangelo Libertini, he graduated in Law and embarked on what would become a brilliant political career. He was elected for four consecutive terms, starting from the first on June 18, 1900, in the Collegio di Caltagirone until December 8, 1920, when he was appointed Senator of the Kingdom. He held prestigious positions such as Secretary to the Presidency of the Senate. His notable interventions include the speech preceding the dismissal of General Cadorna following the Caporetto defeat and the appointment of General Diaz as head of the then-exhausted Italian Army. A rigorous and honest man, he refused the stipend entitled to him as a politician due to his substantial personal wealth. He married Concetta Gianformaggio, from a family of notables and politicians of Grammichele, but they had no children. The couple led a brilliant life, maintaining correspondence with politicians, intellectuals, and entrepreneurs of the time and traveling throughout Europe during the Belle Époque. He died on November 16, 1945, in Caltagirone. His estate, including the Palazzo in Caltagirone then known as Libertini, passed to his beloved nephew Francesco Spadaro di Passanitello, son of his sister Francesca.

Commendatore Salvatore Spadaro di Passanitello

Originally from Mineo, the youngest son of Barone Francesco Spadaro di Passanitello, he moved to Caltagirone following his marriage to the young Francesca, “Cecchina,” Libertini, daughter of Cav. Michelangelo Libertini and sister of Senator Gesualdo Libertini. A law graduate, he was an adept administrator of his many properties. He had three children, two daughters, and a son, Francesco, to whom, thanks to the prosperous economic situation, he provided the opportunity for education at the best colleges and universities, preparing him for a political career.

Dr. Cav Francesco Spadaro di Passanitello

The only son born from the marriage of Commendatore Salvatore Spadaro di Passanitello and Donna Cecchina Libertini. Coming from a family of cultured aristocrats with a strong inclination towards politics and the rigorous and honest management of public affairs, young Francesco completed classical studies at the prestigious Benedictine Monks College in Montecassino and then attended the Faculty of Law in Padua, where he graduated in Canon Law. An avid scholar of the history of his city, he is credited with translating from Latin the destroyed book by Pierpaolo Morretta “Caltagirone Città Gratissima” from 1634, a priceless testimony of the origins and history of the city. Additionally, his passion for history made him a respected heraldist, and he is responsible for the transcription and compilation of the “Mastre Senatorie” of the cities of Sicily from the 16th century until the end of the Feudal era on June 2, 1813. This book, published in 1938 by the Institute of Historical and Noble Law Studies in Rome, titled “Le Mastre Nobili,” remains one of the most accredited references for studying the genealogy of Sicilian noble families.

An unforgettable mayor of Caltagirone, elected with a large majority following the fall of the fascist regime, with the Civic List named Madonna del Ponte, his portrait is housed alongside that of his maternal grandfather Michelangelo Libertini at the Municipality. An archaeologist and ceramics collector, he amassed one of the richest collections of ceramic artifacts, contributing to the fame of the Palazzo, which was by then named in his honor, Palazzo Spadaro Libertini. He married the young and beautiful heiress Gerolama, Mina, Gravina, belonging to one of the oldest families in Sicily and Caltagirone, with whom he had four children, one daughter, and three sons. The youngest, Arch. Alvise Spadaro, passed the torch of the most significant part of the Palazzo, both in size and historical importance, to his maternal cousin, Lara Gravina of the Belmonte Beaumont branch, thus ensuring the preservation and continuity of the imposing residence within the family.