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Enna - 45 Via San Girolamo
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Enna, or Castruggiuvanni in Sicilian, derived from the city’s ancient name (Castrogiovanni), is Sicily’s only province with no coastline. Located in the geographical heart of the island at an altitude of over 900 metres above sea level, it’s home to approximately 26,000 inhabitants. The city boasts a history spanning millennia, having served as a stronghold for Greeks, Sicans, Syracusans, Romans, Byzantines, Berbers, Spanish rulers and the Bourbons before becoming a province of unified Italy.
Today Enna has experienced a remarkable revival after decades of hardship, emerging as a vibrant and thriving city. Since 2004, it has been home to Sicily’s fourth university, the Kore University. With traditional festivals, trade fairs, concert seasons and theatre programmes, Enna has established itself as a cultural hub worth discovering. Visit during one of the numerous events held throughout the year to experience this city in all its glory.
Enna, thanks to its long and complex history, boasts an impressive array of monuments and buildings within just a few square kilometres. Here are the main attractions to make the most of your visit, whether for a few hours or several days.
The Church of Maria Santissima della Visitazione, or more simply Enna Cathedral, is the city’s principal church, situated in the town centre overlooking a small but elegant piazza. Inside, you’ll find magnificent works by renowned artists including Flemish painter Guglielmo Borremans and Italian masters Filippo Paladini and Vincenzo Roggeri.
Built in the early 1300s, Enna Cathedral showcases a blend of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles, a result of numerous renovations spanning different periods. The exterior features an imposing façade crowned by a bell tower, upon which sits an enormous bell weighing 101 quintals. On the church’s right side, you’ll notice the Jubilee Door, now sealed but displaying impressive Sicilian Gothic architecture.
Inside, the cathedral captivates visitors with its splendid coffered wooden ceiling in the main nave, richly decorated apse adorned with stuccowork and frescoes, and a series of chapels housing remarkable paintings.
Castello di Lombardia is undoubtedly Enna’s most iconic symbol, rising majestically from the city’s highest point at 970 metres altitude. It ranks among Italy’s largest medieval castles, covering 26,000 square metres. Its name derives from the Lombard soldiers who defended the castle during the Norman era.
Construction began in 1130 and was completed in 1250, marking the starting point for Enna’s development. Today, Castello di Lombardia is one of the most fascinating sights in Enna, complete with remarkable features including the “theatre closest to the stars“, an open-air concert arena in the Piazza degli Armati, the lovely Piazza della Maddalena featuring an English-style garden equipped for picnics, and the Pisan Tower, the fortress’s tallest and best-preserved tower, from whose summit you can see all the way to Mount Etna and the sea.
After a day spent admiring Enna’s architectural treasures, churches and monuments, nothing beats a leisurely stroll along Via Roma, the main thoroughfare of the historic centre. It’s the beating heart of Enna’s urban life, with no fewer than 11 piazzas opening onto it. The street is lined with shops, restaurants and bars where you can relax and enjoy refreshments al fresco.
Within the historic centre stands Belvedere Marconi, a panoramic piazza from which, on clear days, you can even see Mount Etna in the distance.
The square dates back to 1927, when the Fascist regime undertook a series of urban projects that completely transformed the city’s appearance. It overlooks a magnificent panorama of surrounding mountains and countryside, from medieval Calascibetta to the peaks of the Nebrodi Mountains.
At the centre of the Belvedere piazza stands the Fountain of the Abduction of Proserpina, crafted in marble and crowned with a bronze statue depicting the mythological scene. The building that once housed the Grand Hotel Belvedere is particularly striking, featuring an elegant classical façade.
Within the rooms of Palazzo Varisano lies the Enna Regional Archaeological Museum, established by the Sicilian Region to showcase archaeological finds discovered throughout the province from 1979 to the present day.
Located in the city centre, a visit allows you to admire remains of ancient human settlements on the hills surrounding Enna. Among funerary inscriptions, terracotta objects and metal jewellery, visitors gain deeper insight into this corner of Sicily’s history, with detailed explanations and descriptions accompanying each exhibit.
Another principal symbol of Enna is the majestic Tower of Frederick II, an octagonal structure dating to the medieval period. Though not definitively confirmed, it’s believed that Frederick II of Hohenstaufen, the Swabian emperor, commissioned its construction in the early 13th century.
Standing 27 metres tall, the tower occupies a dominant position on a small hill. Its interior contains two large chambers, one on the ground floor and another on the first floor, connected by a spiral staircase that continues upwards to the summit, offering stunning panoramic views of the city and surrounding countryside.
For a day trip from Enna, nothing compares to a visit to the Pergusa Lake Special Nature Reserve, a protected natural area situated near Villaggio Pergusa.
Spanning 400 hectares, the reserve was established in 1995 by the Sicilian Region. The lake has neither inflows nor outflows (technically known as an endorheic lake) and holds considerable ecological significance. Its ecosystem supports remarkable biodiversity, being the only wetland in central Sicily and consequently a crucial stopover for migratory birds, making it essential for birdwatching enthusiasts.
To explore the reserve, there are nature trails and rest areas with bird-watching hides. There’s also an educational facility located within Villa Zagaria.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
For accommodation in Enna, there are essentially two options: you can choose the historic centre, particularly the Enna Alta area, or venture slightly outside the city to areas such as Contrada Santa Lucia, Casa Sant’Anna, Contrada Mugavero, Contrada Gentilomo or Contrada Santa Panasia. In these outlying areas you’ll find numerous private apartments and bed & breakfasts, with minimal noise disturbances.
Conversely, staying in the centre places you within walking distance of all Enna’s principal monuments, though you may experience some noise. Either way, the range of accommodation options is extensive, and you’ll certainly find something to suit your preferences.
Enna sits in central Sicily and consequently isn’t particularly close to any major cities, tourist destinations or airports. Fortunately, it’s well served by the A19 motorway, which passes just kilometres from the city centre. Simply exit at the Enna junction and follow the signs.
What's the weather at Enna? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Enna for the next few days.
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