Enna, the ancient Henna, is a city located in the center of Sicily in the province of Enna, towering above the surrounding countryside. It has earned a few nicknames, such as "belvedere" (panoramic viewpoint) or the "ombelico" (navel) of Sicily.

Enna is the highest provincial capital of Italy.

Contents 1 History 2 University, culture and education 3 Main sights 3.1 Monuments 3.2 Pergusa lake and archaeologic site 4 External links

[edit] History

Archaeological findings have showed the area of today's Enna was settled since prehistorical times.

The colony of Henna was founded on this high plateau in 664 BC by colonists from Gela eager to exploit the area's agricultural resources. In 397 BC the town fell to Dionysius of Syracuse and it remained in Syracusan hands until the 3rd century BC when it entered the orbit of Roman power. In 859 AD it was the turn of the Saracens, who had to sneak in one by one through a sewer to breach the town's hardy defenses. Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Sicily, established a summer residence here.

In the Middle Ages the name was then altered into Castrogiovanni, by which it was known until 1927, when it was changed back to Enna by Mussolini. Today, the town is still important as an agricultural center.

[edit] University, culture and education

Enna is now an important centre in archeological and educational studies. The University Kore of Enna, which already became a great protagonist among Italian universities, in quality, boom of students and international relationship, was officially founded in 2004, when the President of the Italian Republic Carlo Azeglio Ciampi visited it.

[edit] Main sights

[edit] Monuments

The most important monuments of Enna are:

• The Castello di Lombardìa (Lombardy Castle), perhaps the most important example of military architecture in Sicily. It was created in very old times by Sicanians, rebuilt by Frederick II of Sicily and restructured under Frederick II of Aragon. The castle, which bears this name because of the garrison of Lombard troops that defended it in Norman times, has an irregular layout which once comprised 20 towers: of the six remaining, the Torre Pisana is the best preserved one. It has Guelph merlons. The castle was divided into three different spaces separated by walls: the first courtyard is home to a renowned outdoor lyric theatre in which high quality shows are performed; the second one houses a large green park, while in the third courtyard it is possible to see the vestiges of royal apartments, a bishop's chapel, medieval prisons and the Pisan Tower.

Image:Enna duomo.jpg Image:Enna Castello Di Lombardia.jpg

• The Duomo (Cathedral), a noteworthy example of religious architecture in Sicily, built in the 14th century by queen Eleonora, Frederick III's wife, but largely renovated after the fire of 1446. Tha great Baroque façade, in yellow tufa-stone, is surmounted by a massive campanile with finely shaped decorative elements. The portal on the right side is from the 16th century, while the other is from the original 14th century edifice. The interior has a nave with two aisles separated by massive Corinthian columns, and three apses. The stucco decoration is from the 16th and 17th centuries. Art works include a 15th century crucifix panel painting, a canvas by Guglielmo Borremans, the presbytery paintings by Filippo Paladini (1613), a Baroque side portal. The cathedral's treasure is housed in the Alessi Museum, and has precious ornaments, the gold crown with diamonds "Crown of the Virgin," Byzantine icons, thousands of ancient coins and other collections.
• Palazzo Varisano, housing the Regional Archaeological Museum of Enna, with material dating from the Copper Age to the 6th century AD coming from many archaeologic areas in the Province of Enna.
• Torre di Federico, an octagonal ancient tower which was allegedly a summer residence of the Frederick II (or Frederick III of Aragon). The two floors possess beautiful vaults. The aspect of the building is austere. It was part of a bigger complex, named Old castle and destroyed by Arabs, of which nowadays there remain some pieces of the old, imposing walls on the top of the green hill housing municipal gardens where the Tower rises.
• The Campanile of the destroyed church of San Giovanni, features pointed arches with finely shaped archivolts, and a three light mullioned window with Catalan-style decorations.
• The Municipal Library, located in the San Francesco building. The latter church has a noteworthy 15th century campanile and, in the interior, a fine painted Cross from the same century.
• The church of San Tommaso is also of note for its 15th century belfry, with three orders. It has windows framed by an agile full-centred archivolt. The church contains a marble icon (1515) attributed to Giuliano Mancino and precious frescoes by Borremans.
• The Janniscuru Gate is the only one preserved of the 7 old gates once located at the entrance of the town. It is a fine 17th century Roman arch, positioned in a charming natural setting under old steps in an area very rich in rock grottoes used as a necropolis thousands of years ago, just under the ancient, traditional quarter of Fundrisi.

[edit] Pergusa lake and archaeologic site

Lake Pergusa is set between a group of mountains in the chain of Erei, and it is located 5 km from Enna. It is a vital place in the migratory current of lots of birds. In addition to birds, which are certainly the protagonists of the Pergusa nature reserve, here there are also interesing species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.

Around the lake, there is the most important racing track of Southern Italy, the Autodromo di Pergusa, that hosted international competitions and events, such as Formula 1, Formula 3000 and a Ferrari Festival with Michael Schumacher.

In the area of Pergusa lake we can also find an archeological site, known as Cozzo Matrice, practically the rests of an old fortified village, where some imposing walls dating about 8000 BC, a sacred citadel, a rich necropolis and the remains of an ancient temple dedicated to Demeter, dating more than 2000 years ago.

The important forest and green area named Selva Pergusina (that means "Pergusa's Wood") surrounds a part of the Lake Pergusa Valley, evocating a scenographic panorama.

Pergusa is strongly linked to the myth of the Greek Persephone, Demeter's daughter, which was kidnapped here in the Roman Republic period, by Pluto.

[edit] External links

• Enna turismo tra archeologia e natura
• Province of Enna
• Tourist Agency of Enna

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