Enna (province) Voyage Tips and guide

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Enna is a former province in Sicily, Italy, named after the medieval hilltop town of Enna. Of importance are Piazza Armerina with the Villa Romana del Casale and its magnificent mosaics, Aidone with the archaeological site of Morgantina and Centuripe, which is also important due to ancient finds.

37°34′14″N 14°28′33″E

Map of Enna (province)

• 37.56333314.2761111 Enna (Castrugiuvanni) — medieval town on the top of a mountain, in the middle of Sicily
• 37.38333314.3666672 Piazza Armerina (Chiazza) — Roman Villa del Casale with fantastic mosaics (World Heritage)
• 37.6514.5166673 Agira (Aggira) — this village isn't quite popular among tourists, but well worth visiting while you in the region
• 37.52583314.3069444 Pergusa — a village at the shores of the only natural lake on the island

In 2015, the Province of Enna was replaced by the free municipal consortium of Enna.

The climate varies between mountain and Mediterranean (for temperatures). The territory is among the least humid in Sicily.

Winter is generally characterized by rigid temperatures in the high altitude municipalities but which rarely fall below zero. Snow characterizes the centers of the northern area (especially Troina) and sometimes also Enna. In the mountains, snowfall is frequent and abundant. Part of the rainfall is concentrated in this season.

Spring and autumn are the green seasons with moderate rainfall; the extensive hilly reliefs are coloured with the green of the extensive wheat fields. Summer is often characterized by drought with dry heat. Temperatures are generally high (around 30 °C).

The A 19 highway cuts the territory in half, passing between Enna and Calascibetta.

The territory is crossed by the Catania - Palermo line and the most important station is Enna.

Villa Romana del Casale, in Piazza Armerina, is a huge ancient Roman "villa", where there are many well preserved Roman mosaics, the most important mosaic system in the Roman world of that time.

Morgantina, an ancient town east of Piazza Armerina, that constitutes the most important archeological area in Central Sicily, whose finds are located in many big museums all over the world: Malibu, Los Angeles, California; New York; Musée du Louvre, Paris; and the Archeological Museum of Aidone, the commune in which Morgantina is located.

Castello di Lombardia, in Enna, the biggest castle of Sicily: it had 20 towers centuries ago, but now it has 6 towers, and among these there is Torre Pisana, a very big tower affording an extensive panoramic vista of the surrounding countryside.

In the territory of Centuripe there is the Riparo Cassataro, a corner with prehistoric rock carvings in red ochre depicting a human figure about twenty centimeters tall with wide arms and a skirt; others, very stylized, with raised and joined arms; a sort of net with animals. The shelter also has semi-spherical holes of unknown use. In the same territory you can visit the Calanchi del Cannizzola , an area with geomorphic characteristics characterized by a friable land and devoid of vegetation. The particularity of this area meant that it was chosen as the location for several films including The Bible from 1966 and The Gospel According to Matthew by Pasolini.

Near Cerami there is the Cicerone Bridge from the Norman era, while in Troina there is the Failla bridge, from the same period.

In the Enna area there are several former sulphur mines that have been abandoned for a long time but are a clear sign of significant mining activity and were active until the 1970s of the last century.

The territory of Pietraperzia is rich in prehistoric sites such as the site of Tornambè Cuddaru du Crastu which is presumed to be the ancient city of Krastos. The so-called Sican Pyramid or Cerumbelle Pyramid is a 12-metre pyramid with a stepped structure probably built to worship solar deities. It is thought to date back to the Neolithic and to have been modified in the Middle Ages. Nearby there is also a stone sofa, perhaps connected to this site.

Morgantina is the archaeological remains Greek colony

A few kilometres from Regalbuto is Lake Pozzillo, an artificial lake where you can spend a day outdoors or doing sports thanks to the presence of an adventure park and trails.

Cycling: Take the SP75 road. The road taken from the Sicilia Village outlet roundabout and ends near Agira). This provincial road is closed to traffic due to the numerous landslides and the road is quite dangerous for cars. By bike, however, it is a very beautiful and panoramic route through the countryside. The difference in altitude of about 300 m must be considered.

Holy Week at Easter is a very important event. The celebrations of Holy Week in Enna which culminate in the solemn procession on Good Friday, unique in Italy, during which thousands of hooded brothers walk through the streets of the city creating an evocative and unreal atmosphere.

Most Holy Mary of Victories, May 3, is the feast of the patron saint of Piazza Armerina.

Signuruzzu du Lacu (Lord of the Lake) celebrations on Lake Pergusa in the first week of May. The festival reaches its peak on Sunday, with the blessing of the Lake Waters. This is followed by fireworks and a light or theatrical music show.

Feast of the Most Holy Mary of the Visitation (Patronal Feast of Ennese) on July 2. The patron saint of Enna is Maria SS. della Visitazione, which is celebrated on July 2: on this occasion, the barefoot members of the brotherhood of the same name carry, on their shoulders, the golden ship with the statue of the Madonna through the streets of the city until it reaches the Franciscan Church of Montesalvo where it will remain for two weeks. The statue of the Madonna is adorned with gold jewelry offered by devout people over the centuries.

Palio dei Normanni takes place every year on 12, 13 and 14 August. It is a medieval reenactment with costumes.

Feast of the Madonna of Valverde on the last Sunday of August has very ancient origins. The Virgin of Valverde was the first patron saint of the people of Ennese, until 1412 (the year of the arrival of the simulacrum of the Madonna of the Visitation in the city and current patron saint). Between processions, illuminations, fireworks and concerts. Note the clear similarity with the patronal feast.

Feast of the Madonna dei Carusi in Sant'Agostino square on the first Sunday of September. The Madonna dei Carusi is one of the most heartfelt celebrations for the people of Enna. The celebration was established to honor the young mine workers and place them under the protection of Mary. The celebration culminates with the procession, the fireworks and the children's singing festival.

Feast of the Holy Crucifix of Papardura on September 13 and 14 in the splendid sanctuary perched on the hill of Papardura. It is one of the oldest festivals in the city takes place, with the tasting of the "Cudduredde", the blessing with a relic of the Holy Cross, the traditional September fair in Piazza Europa.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th. A procession of the Simulacrum of the Virgin to the prison, greeting of the inmates, return and fireworks at the Belvedere Marconi.

Cassatelle di Agira are typical sweets of Enna gastronomy, originating from the town of Agira but widespread not only in the province of Enna, but also in much of eastern Sicily. Cassatelle are crescent-shaped, prepared with shortcrust pastry, soft and golden yellow in color dusted with powdered sugar, with a filling of a mixture of cocoa, chopped almonds, chickpea flour, sugar and dried lemon peel, with the possible addition of cinnamon.