Gela, formerly Terranova di Sicilia, city, southern Italy, on the southern coast of Sicily. The city is a resort and fishing port, as well as an industrial center, with petroleum refineries. The ancient city, of which ruins remain, was founded by colonists from Rhodes and Crete (Kríte) in about 688 BC. The city flourished until 405 BC, when it was sacked by the Carthaginians. Its destruction was completed in 282 BC by a band of mercenaries from Messina. The modern city was founded in 1233 by Frederick II of the Holy Roman Empire. It was known as Terranova di Sicilia until it was renamed Gela in 1927. During World War II the city was taken by Allied landing forces in 1943. Population (1996) 72,535.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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