Description
Villa Romana del Casale is a luxurious ancient Roman Villa that dates back around the third or fourth century AD, whit mosaic floors of exceptional size and artistic beauty. Recently Sicily Roman Villa recognized by UNESCO as a world Heritage site. In the 20s’,30s’ and 40s’ of the last century were carried out the first surveys and excavation of the 50s’ when it was revealed in a comprehensive way around the monument. The villa Roman of Casale consists of four groups of rooms with galleries, thermal environment. It is a huge complex building in witch appears a pleasant movement of winding of different levels. The Villa is more than 3.500 square meter of mosaic floors.
Enna is situated near the center of the island, the ancient city was placed on the level summit of a gigantic hill, surrounded on all sides with precipitous cliffs almost wholly inaccessible. The few paths were easily defended, and the city was abundantly supplied with water which gushes from the face of the rocks on all sides. With a plain or table land of about 5 km in circumference on the summit, it formed one of the strongest natural fortresses in the world.
The most important monuments of Enna are:
The Castello di Lombardìa (Lombardy Castle), perhaps the most important example of military architecture in Sicily. It was built by Sicanians, rebuilt by Frederick II of Sicily, and restructured under Frederick II of Aragon. The castle is named for the garrison of Lombard troops that defended it in Norman times. It has an irregular layout which once comprised 20 towers: of the six remaining, the Torre Pisana is the best preserved. It has Guelph merlons.
The Duomo (Cathedral), a notable example of religious architecture in Sicily, was built in the 14th century by queen Eleonora, Frederick III’s wife. It was renovated and remodeled after the fire of 1446.
Time Excursions: 8h in total