The origins of this town date back to the XVII century, when the countryside around Bagheria turned from an agricultural area to a holiday resort for the aristocracy. The XVIII century Villa Filangeri, today the Town Hall, is typically baroque; the built-up area developed around it.
Annexed to Villa Filangeri, the church of Sant¢®¯Anna was built in the late XVII century on the site of an earlier small church.
There are other significant XVIII century villas, such as Villa San Marco, built around a XVI century tower and Villa Valdina, whose chapel features artworks by Pietro Novelli.
Built towards the end of the XIX century by G. Battista Filippo Basile as a holiday house for his family, the Villino Basile, one of the most interesting buildings in town, is situated on the edge of the railroad just outside Santa Flavia and is now abandoned.
Porticello, a very important fishing harbour, is very close to this town. On the first October Sunday, the famous Festino (Feast) of the Madonna del Lume takes place.
