Piazza Armerina Attractions
Communications
SS 117b Enna-Gela.
Events
The "Palio dei Normanni" is held every year on 13th-14th August; this is a popular festival to commemorate liberation from Arab rule by the Normans under Roger I.
Location
Piazza Armerina is pleasantly situated on three hills in the middle of the Monti Erei. Most people merely pass through it on their way to see the mosaics in the nearby Villa Casale, but the town itself is most attractive, with a wealth of churches, and well worth a more detailed visit.
History
Piazza Armerina is a comparatively young town, having been founded in 1080 by the Norman Count Roger. He settled Lombards here to keep a watch on surrounding towns occupied by Saracens. In 1161, following a rebellion by Lombard barons, it was destroyed by order of the Norman King William I, but rebuilt in 1163. By 1296 it had become sufficiently attractive for Frederick III of Aragon to summon the Sicilian parliament here. It enjoyed its halcyon days during the 14th and 15th centuries, and again in the 17th century. It has been an episcopal see since 1817.
The square-built Castello Spinelli, with its towers and bastions, was constructed in the 14th century. Built in the Norman style are the church of San San Giovanni.
SS 117b Enna-Gela.
Events
The "Palio dei Normanni" is held every year on 13th-14th August; this is a popular festival to commemorate liberation from Arab rule by the Normans under Roger I.
Location
Piazza Armerina is pleasantly situated on three hills in the middle of the Monti Erei. Most people merely pass through it on their way to see the mosaics in the nearby Villa Casale, but the town itself is most attractive, with a wealth of churches, and well worth a more detailed visit.
History
Piazza Armerina is a comparatively young town, having been founded in 1080 by the Norman Count Roger. He settled Lombards here to keep a watch on surrounding towns occupied by Saracens. In 1161, following a rebellion by Lombard barons, it was destroyed by order of the Norman King William I, but rebuilt in 1163. By 1296 it had become sufficiently attractive for Frederick III of Aragon to summon the Sicilian parliament here. It enjoyed its halcyon days during the 14th and 15th centuries, and again in the 17th century. It has been an episcopal see since 1817.
The square-built Castello Spinelli, with its towers and bastions, was constructed in the 14th century. Built in the Norman style are the church of San San Giovanni.
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Villa Romana del Casale
The ruins of Villa Romana del Casale, discovered by archeologists in the 1930s, are from a huge manor house. It was inhabited until the 12th C and is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Morgantina
Morgantina is an archeological site dating from the 6th C B.C. Today many of the features of this old Sikel town have been unearthed and restored.
Gran Priorato di Santo Stéfano
Giovanni, with its Gothic portal and frescoes by Borreman, and in particular the 12th century church of Gran Priorato di Santo Stéfano; a few years ago some Norman frescoes were discovered hidden under later plaster.
Palazzo Trigona
The Palazzo Trigona in the cathedral square is a good example of the secular architecture of Piazza Armerina; it houses an art gallery with paintings by such artists as Canaletto, Caravaggio, Carlo Dolci and A. Faggini. The 1603 church of Sant'Ignazio is Baroque, with a library and municipal museum in its former convent building.
Sant'Andrea
The single-aisled church of Sant'Andrea outside Piazza Armerina dates back to 1096. Among its frescoes will be found a portrayal of "St Gregory's Mass". Below the Suffering Christ the Pope is shown celebrating mass in the presence of twelve cardinals. The inscription shows it to be Pope Pius II (1458-64), thus definitely dating the painting.
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