Things to do in Enna – The Sicilian town with fog

Last Updated on 7 August 2024

Introduction

Before talking about what to see in Enna, let’s mention something about its history and peculiarities. Enna has a medieval soul with a few touches of Baroque here and there and its name derives from Henna, the name given to it by the Sicans in the 7th century BC.

At 931 meters high, it is the highest provincial capital in Italy, often shrouded in fog. Yes fog, you got it right. Many believe that in Sicily there is always a mild and sunny climate, but this is not the case. Indeed, temperatures and weather conditions vary a lot, depending on the area in which you are located. The city being located in the heart of Sicily has a much harsher climate than the coastal area.

Tip from Topsecretsicily: You can also book a guided tour of Enna to discover the medieval old town. Included in the tour is a visit to Caltagirone and the archaeological park of Morgantina.

What to see in Enna

Castle of Lombardy

It is one of the best preserved medieval castles in Sicily , such as the Manfredonico castle even if there are no real internal rooms to visit. The origins are probably Arab and then it was modified by the Normans, the Swabians and the Aragonese. From the castle you can also access the Pisana tower, 1200 meters high, from which you can admire a beautiful view of the city, the Madonie , the Nebrodi , the Erei mountains and Mount Etna.

Rock of Ceres

In the immediate vicinity of the castle is the fortress of Cerere. This place was dedicated to Demeter in Greek times and then to Ceres in Roman times . The sacred area also once extended well beyond the fortress, reaching the Lombardia castle. In fact, Cicero also describes these places and tells of two colossal statues (one dedicated to Ceres and one to Triptolemus). On the fortress of Ceres the facts are still visible today two large carvings in the rock , in which at the time of Cicero the 2 statues must have been.

Enna Cathedral

The Cathedral has Spanish origins, in fact it was founded in 1307 by Queen Eleonora, wife of Frederick II of Aragon, was subsequently damaged by a fire about a century later and then rebuilt in the 16th century, thus assuming Baroque details. The interior is very elegant, with a wooden ceiling and marble floor.

Archaeological Museum

Opened in 1985, it is located in the elegant Varisano palace built around 1700 in Baroque style. The building, however, also retains elements of the ‘500, having been erected on an older plant. It is located in front of the cathedral, right in the historic center. The museum preserves artifacts, especially vases, ranging from the prehistoric era to the Middle Ages, all found in the Ennese area .

Policarini Palace, St. Clare Church and Vittorio Emanuele Square

The Palace dates back to the 16th century and was built in the Gothic-Catalan style and was the home of noble families . It is spread over two floors, on the ground floor the services were organized and on the upper floor, which is accessed by a large staircase, there were the reception rooms.

In front of the building is the church of Santa Chiara, built between 1614 and 1616 by the will of the noble Francesco Rotundo. After the end of the Second World War the church was used as a Memorial for the Fallen.

Tower of Frederick II – In the center of Sicily

Finally, among the things to see in Enna there is also the beautiful Swabian tower. The building has three floors, rises to 24 meters and is located, with a margin of error of just a hundred meters, in the center of Sicily . The origins of this tower, as well as its purpose, are still a mystery today. What is known is that it was probably built by Frederick II of Swabia.

Interactive map – Points of interest in purple

To locate yourself once in the area, click on the enlarge symbol at the top right of the map.

Most popular activities for tourists in Sicily

What to see around Enna

Here you will find the most beautiful places to visit around Enna .

Typical dishes of Enna and surroundings

Do you want to try the typical dishes of Enna? You discover what to eat in Enna and surroundings.

Here instead you find the typical Sicilian dishes in general.

Flight, hotel and car booking

If you want to search for offers on flights, hotels or rental cars, you can use Skyscanner.it , certainly one of the best sites in the industry. Don’t forget, the sooner you book the more you save! In fact, prices always tend to increase with the passing of the days.