Things to do in Enna
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Via Roma Cathedral
The Via Roma Cathedral has a composite style that's the result of the waves of invaders who sought to possess the mountain eyrie. In 1446 a fire destroyed the church, which was slowly rebuilt in early baroque style over the next 200 years. The curious façade (complete with 17th-century bell tower) covers its Gothic predecessor, while the rich interior is almost entirely baroque in design. The dark grey basalt columns are worth looking at for their highly ornamented bases, which are carved with a series of grotesques such as snakes with human heads.
Other points of interest are the Graeco-Roman remains (the base of the pulpit and stoup) from the Temple of Demeter; the med…
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Temple of Demeter
To the north of the castle a small road leads quickly down to the superbly sited foundations of the Temple of Demeter (Ceres to the Romans), the goddess of fertility and agriculture. In classical times it was the centre of a massive fertility cult, and in 480 BC the tyrant Gelon built a temple here lest his plans for the capture of Syracuse be foiled by a couple of bad harvests. The temple is also supposed to have featured a statue of King Triptolemus, the only mortal to witness the rape of Demeter's daughter Persephone by the Hades, the god of the underworld. In return for spilling the beans, Demeter taught Triptolemus the secrets of agriculture, from which Enna has bene…
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Museo Alessi
The Museo Alessi houses the valuable contents of the cathedral's treasury. It was unfortunately closed in April 2007 due to a lack of funds, and locals and visitors are eagerly awaiting its reopening, which will happen as soon as the lacking funds are found.
The museum's collection was originally the property of Canon Giuseppe Alessi (1774-1837), who left the collection to his brother with the intention that he then donate it to the Church. Eager to make a profit, Alessi's brother sold it to the Church in 1860. Some of the pieces are stunning, such as the golden crown of the Madonna, encrusted with jewels and enamels, by Leonardo and Giuseppe Montalbano; it dates from 165…
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Castello di Lombardia
Jealously guarded by locals, Enna’s massive Castello di Lombardia is the most obvious physical manifestation of the inward-looking nature of Sicily’s mountain villages. It is hardly surprising given the waves of invaders who sought to possess this mountain eyrie. This history is perfectly illustrated in the hotchpotch architecture of the cathedral, a catalogue of Graeco-Roman remains, medieval walls, Gothic doors and apses, Renaissance artwork and baroque carvings.
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Fontana del Rato di Prosperina
In the evenings the Piazza F Crispi is absolutely heaving with Enna's smooching teenage population, but hustle your way through the crowd to enjoy the sunset over the rust red buildings of Calascibetta. In the centre is the Fontana del Rato di Prosperina (the Fountain of the Rape of Proserpina), commemorating Enna's most enduring legend. It is actually a copy of Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini's original, which is in the Galleria Borghese in Rome.
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Museo Archeologico di Palazzo Varisano
On the far side of Piazza Mazzini from the cathedral is the Museo Archeologico di Palazzo Varisano, which has a good, if small, collection of artefacts (labelled in Italian) excavated from throughout the region. Of particular interest is the Attic-style red-and-black krater (drinking vases) found in the town itself.
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La Fontana
Right opposite the fountain on the little piazza, this little restaurant is run by an eccentric older couple who've decorated the place in a mixture of kitsch and art nouveau. Mostly frequented by tourists, it's friendly and the food is straightforward Sicilian fare. It has outdoor seating on the piazza in summer.
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Palazzo Pollicarini
On the southwestern side of Piazza Colaianni next to the Grande Albergo Sicilia, is the Catalan-Gothic Palazzo Pollicarini, one of Enna's most handsome buildings. Although it has been converted into private apartments, you can still nip in to take a peek at the medieval staircase in the central courtyard.
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Marro Caffé
- Enna, Italy
- Restaurants › Café
This is a good café for both the summer and winter months. It's popular with a 25-and-up crowd, who come here for coffee, snacks, drinks and aperitivi. The interior is sleek and there's a covered outdoor seating area for the cooler months.
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Antica Hostaria
This Slow Food-acclaimed eatery is famous for its pork ragú, an ancient mountain staple served only in winter; no worries if you’re visiting in summer: the menu features other fine local recipes year-round.
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Cortile di San Martino
Within the Castello di Lombardia walls is a complex structure of courtyards; the closest one to the entrance, Cortile di San Martino (Courtyard of St Martin), is used in summer as an outdoor theatre.
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Torre Pisano
From Cortile di San Martino (Courtyard of St Martin) you can climb up Torre Pisano, from where there are fabulous views - at least when the fog, an enduring element of Enna's weather, has lifted.
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Torre di Federico II
Secret passageways once led to the octagonal Torre di Federico II, which now stands in the Enna's public garden; once part of the town's old defence system, it stands nearly 24m high.
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Cathedral
The cathedral is a catalogue of Graeco-Roman remains, medieval walls, Gothic doors and apses, Renaissance artwork and baroque carvings.
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Pizzeria Da Gino
Historic Pizzeria Da Gino has outdoor seating, and is absolutely buzzing with teenagers. Good atmosphere and great views.
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Alkenisa
This newly opened literary cafe is beautifully sited amid the restored stone walls of an ancient mosque-turned-church.
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Via Mercato Sant'Antonio Market
Via Mercato Sant'Antonio is a market in which you can find basics such as fresh fruit, bread and cheese every morning.
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Ristorante Centrale
This place has friendly service, an outside terrace and excellent traditional mountain food.
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