Italiano 
English 
It is not so easy to trace the past of a place apparently without any history.
However Crocevie’s history is recorded in the slow passage of time, the
cultivation of the land and the silent sacrifices of the local agricultural workers
(Italian: contadini).
The historian Vincenzo Adragna, from nearby Erice, has noted the cultivation
of the inhabited centers of Custonaci and San Vito around the famous sanctuary
of San Marco Paparella which is situated along an important line of communication
between Trapani and Palermo.
Crocevie probably owes its origin to the hard work of local agricultural workers.
Evidence of Crocevie, secluded but lying near the great estates, is provided
by references of Estate (Italian:Baglio) of Mafi (1602)- the center of an estate
of 435 hectares belonging to the Baron Ripa, and subsequently to the heirs of
the Count Fardella (ref Cfr.G.Lorenzoni – Vol.V, p.624.) and also of Giardinata
(1760). Carvini derives the name of Crocevie from the crossing (Italian: incrocio)
of different roads (Italian: vie) that intersect the village and, as in the past,
still lead into the great aforementioned estates.
It was for these historical reasons that Crocevie came to be, especially in view
of the availability of fieldworkers, fully utilized until the early XX century.
The latter also appears to be linked with the creation of leveled and cleared
hill fields sparecchiate (allotment) which were places of special agricultural
importance owing to their topography and fertile soil. From the XV century, these sparecchiate were
isolated from the great feudal estates and freed from the toilsome work of the
pastures- originating from the experience of small independently cultivated shares
of land or the holdings of the bourgeois. The sparecchiate being operative
from the XIII century.
The agricultural culture of Crocevie has been maintained until our times. Indeed
the traditional rural activities of the area represent an inherent physiological
fact fulfilling the needs of the local community. It is also true that the local
area’s economic activities still carry on these old traditions.
From the 1960’s, with the increasing plantation of small vineyards and
marking off of land, along with the foundation of the Cantina Sociale Ericina
have been leading local agriculture in a new direction but insuring the historical
and cultural continuation of the people of Crocevie.
Translation by our English friend Malcolm Davies (Il Professore…)
