This is how Caltabellotta became a town of centenarians

The Sicilian village is the focus of a study that places it among the places in the world where people live longest. For these factors,

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Caltabellotta Platz scaled

Antonino Turturici and Calogera Nicolosi, died respectively at 109 and 110 years old, they played until the end for the title of the person who lived the longest in Caltabellotta, Antonio, born on On 18 January 1912 and he died 23 September 2021 at the age of 109 years, was also the oldest living Italian man at the time of his death; and before him Calogera had crossed the 110-year mark.

From here one studio of 2025, signed by a group of researchers from the universities of Palermo and Sassari, published on Journal of Aging and Longevity is titled “An Emerging Longevity Blue Zone in Sicily: The Case of Caltabellotta and the Sicani Mountains” where it is argued that Caltabellotta and the Sicani Mountains area can be considered a possible “emerging Blue Zone” of longevity.

An Blue Zone of Longevity It is a geographical area where an exceptionally high concentration of people reaching very advanced ages has been observed (in particular 90, 100 years and beyond) and, often, with a good quality of life in old age. The term “Blue Zone” It was popularized by journalist and researcher Dan Buettner, who, together with demographers and scholars, identified some communities around the world with particularly high longevity rates. The five best-known areas are:

  • Ogliastra (Italy), which is located in central-eastern Sardinia.
  • Okinawa (Japan), historically known for high female longevity.
  • Ikaria (Greece), an island in the Aegean Sea where inhabitants have low rates of cardiovascular disease and dementia.
  • Nicoya Peninsula (Costa Rica), where there is a strong sense of family and personal purpose (life plan).
  • Loma Linda (California), a community with a strong Seventh-day Adventist presence.

Despite cultural differences, these populations share several elements: a predominantly plant-based diet; physical movement integrated into daily life; strong social and family relationships; low levels of chronic stress; a sense of purpose in life; and low consumption of ultra-processed foods.

Now, after the Italian study, Caltabellotta could also join the Blue Zone club.

Thanks to these main results certified by research:

  • An exceptional presence of long-lived elderly people: analyzing demographic data from ISTAT and local civil registers, the researchers found in Caltabellotta (about 3.000 inhabitants) a share of nonagenarians and centenarians higher than the Italian and Sicilian averages.
  • Historical increase in survival at older ages: for people born between 1900 and 1924, the percentage of individuals who reached at least 90 years of age would have increased from 3,6% to 14%; among those born in that period approximately 1 person in 166 would have reached 100 years old.
  • Comparison with SardiniaThe authors compared Caltabellotta with an already recognized blue zone in Sardinia and found similar characteristics, although these alone were not sufficient for definitive certification.

According to the study, the possible elements that explain longevity are a combination of factors:

  1. Traditional Mediterranean diet
    Historical consumption of legumes, whole grains, vegetables, fruit, olive oil, and minimally industrialized foods.
  2. Daily physical activity
    Agricultural work, walking and life in a hilly country would have favoured constant movement throughout life.
  3. Social cohesion
    Extended family, neighborly relationships, and participation in community life are identified as protective factors for healthy aging.
  4. Environment
    The authors cite low levels of urbanization, contact with nature, and reduced pollution as possible contributors.
  5. Genetics and population history
    The study hypothesizes that genetic factors may also play a role, especially in a community that is relatively stable over time, but does not conclude that a “longevity gene” specific to Caltabellotta exists.

The conclusion of the study is cautious: Caltabellotta presents characteristics compatible with a Blue Zone, but is defined as "emerging" because further multidisciplinary studies are necessary (genetics, medicine, environment, demographic history) before it can be equated with the better-known blue zones such as Ogliastra in Sardinia, Okinawa, Icaria and Nicoya.

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