Coppa Nissena

Italy's oldest hill climb

The Coppa Nissena is one of the oldest and most prestigious automotive races in Italy. Its inaugural edition took place on May 24, 1922, coinciding with the unveiling of the Great War memorial in Caltanissetta. Won by Luigi Lopez in an Itala, the race began as a road circuit before evolving into the hill climb that made it famous. No other Italian climb boasts as many editions, cementing the Coppa Nissena's status as the oldest in the country.

The Fiume Salso – Villaggio Santa Barbara track

The course winds over 5,450 meters of asphalt with an average gradient of about 4%, starting from the Fiume Salso area and climbing to the finish line on the main road of Villaggio Santa Barbara, on the outskirts of Caltanissetta. It is a technical, selective track filled with hairpins and high-speed sections, highly regarded by drivers for its unique characteristics. The race consists of two heats, following the classic hill climb format, and awards points for the Italian Mountain Speed Championship (CIVM).

A race for champions

Over the years, the Coppa Nissena has seen the greatest mountain racing specialists triumph. Tuscan driver Simone Faggioli, the race's record holder, has won it ten times and describes it as a unique challenge due to its technical nature. Recent years have also seen victories by Sicilian drivers like Domenico Cubeda, Luigi Fazzino, and Francesco Conticelli, highlighting the island's deep-rooted automotive tradition.

Sicily's intangible heritage

Organized by the Automobile Club Caltanissetta in collaboration with the Municipality of Caltanissetta and the Libero Consorzio Comunale, the event is listed in the Register of Intangible Heritage of the Sicily Region (R.E.I.S.). This recognition underscores its cultural and identity-forming value for both the city and all of Sicily, where motorsport has deep roots, dating back to the Targa Florio.

A mid-September tradition

The Coppa Nissena traditionally takes place in September, turning Caltanissetta into a massive open-air paddock for an entire weekend. From technical inspections to official practice and the race itself, the event draws thousands of enthusiasts to the track and the city, bringing life to the bars, restaurants, and hotels of the historic center.