ENNA
The "Belvedere"
(panoramic viewpoint) or the "Ombelico"
(navel) or even, Urbs Inexpugnabilis, as it was called
by the Romans. Enna is known by many different
names due to its geographic central position on the summit
of a rock, defensive in past times and capable
of offering incredible views to modern day
visitors.
Enna was inhabited as early as the Stone Age by the Sicani,
a population with non indo-European origins, who were present
in Sicily since pre-history. A village, a necropolis and a
temple dating back to the Neolithic era, have been discovered
from these far off times
With the arrival first of the Siculi (15th
Century BC) and then the Greeks
(9th Century BC), the political situation
changed and the City began to mint Greek currency, as far
back as the 5th Century.
It became a Syracuse
ally against the Carthaginians, but in 397 BC,
it saw a Syracuse feud under Dionysius I (Dionysius the Elder)
and in 307 it was overtaken by the tyrant
Agatocle.
In 259 BC, it was overtaken by the Carthaginians,
then liberated by the Romans a year later.
In 212 BC it passed over definitively to Rome.
At this point, there was the First Servile War
(139-132 BC), led by the Syrian slave Eunus,
who surrendered to the Romans, only after 2 years of siege.
After the fall of Rome and the devastation of the Vandali,
Enna was run by the Byzantines, until it
once again changed hands and was overtaken by the Arabs
(859).
With the arrival of the Normans in Sicily
(1070), Enna became the last stronghold of Arabic resistance
until the end of 1087, the year it was yielded by Ruggero
d’Altavilla.
Under the Normans, the Swabians and the Aragonese,
the city was fortified by erecting defensive fortresses
and its development was continuous until the end of the 17th
Century, when it saw the beginning of a slow decline.
In 1860 Enna, after having actively participated
in the cause for unification, became part of the Reign
of Italy.
It was from the Medieval period that the town-planning began,
which is still present today, apart from the walls, which
are unfortunately no longer there.
The beautiful Lombardia (Lombardy) Castle
was constructed during the Swabian period. It is astonishing
for its integrity and size. Pietro III d’Aragona (Peter
3rd of Aragon) chose it as his Enna residence. The Torre
di Federico II (Tower) (13th Century) is just as
fascinating. It is 24 metres high with vaulted ceilings. The
Palazzo Pollicarini (15th Century) is also beautiful
with its Spanish influences.
Amongst the religious buildings not to missed are: the Duomo,
constructed in 1307 on the wishes of Queen
Eleonora d’Aragona, preserving precious paintings in
its interior and the Alessi Museum; as well as the Church
of Saint Francis of Assisi (14th Century), the Baroque
style of Saint Joseph and the ex church of Saint
John the Baptist with its beautiful gothic bell tower
(15th Century).
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