Enna is a town in the hinterland of Sicily, known as “the terrace” for the incredible views it offers. It has a rich historical and cultural heritage and everything to discover, such as the historic monument of Porta Janniscuru.
This is located in one of the oldest and most charming neighborhoods of the Sicilian city. Enna is situated on a cliff at a height of 1000 meters from sea level. Its particular location makes it an ideal point from which to visit the beautiful Sicilian island. In the area there are many things to discover and visit immersed in the beautiful landscape of the Sicilian plain.
Porta Janniscuru, where it is located
The Porta Janniscuru is a historic monument of the Sicilian city of Enna and is the last of the six gates that were perched on the slopes of the mountain to defend the city. Today this is the only door left and is located in a particularly suggestive position.
It is located in the middle of a stone staircase and is located in the old district of Fundrisi characterized by narrow and winding streets. This is the area below the church of the Holy Spirit and is surrounded by caves that make it one of the most fascinating areas of Enna.
After the arch there is the particular and important cave of the Guardiola. Not far away is the cave of the Speziera with 65 carved niches inside the walls. These once housed votive statues.
The history of the Janniscuru Gate and its characteristics
The streets that allowed access to the city of Enna in the past flowed into a series of major and minor gates. The main ones were seven and performed a military and civil function. In fact, once closed the weak points of the fortresses the city became impregnable and safe.
The first written evidence about the existence of the gates is found in a document of 1575 kept in the State Archives of Enna. Here we are talking about the ban on people and goods entering through the doors because of the plague. The only survivor is Janniscuru, which was probably restored during the Arab domination.
The Janniscuru Gate has the style of a round Roman arch and has an imposing and massive appearance. Its width varies and is between 2 and 3 meters while its height is higher. Thanks to the restoration today the monument has returned to its former glory.
Foto : Tmatic travel
Enna, here’s what to see
Enna is called the terrace of Sicily for its privileged position on a hill that surmounts the plain. The city has a thousand-year history and offers a lot to see to the many tourists who come here from all over the world to explore the beauty of Sicily. In particular, its oldest neighbourhoods offer characteristic glimpses that reveal traces of a glorious past.
The area also has many castles to discover such as those of Sperlinga and Gagliano Castelferrato. These are evidence of the purely defensive character of these buildings. The oldest and most imposing castle is the one called Castello di Lombardia which was built in the thirteenth century to defend the north-east side of the city.
Enna also has a rich archaeological heritage that is exposed within the many museums present. One of the most interesting is the one that is inside the Varisano palace where are preserved finds ranging from prehistory to the Middle Ages.
Among the most important buildings of the Sicilian city is the Duomo. This is of Spanish origin and was made in 1307 by Queen Eleonora wife of Frederick II of Aragon. Finally, another building in Enna that is worth a visit is the tower of Frederick II. The building stands for 24 meters and has the distinction of being exactly in the center of Sicily.
What to eat in Enna
Enna is a city with a rich culinary tradition that can be rediscovered in its typical recipes. Over the course of history the city has been influenced by different cultures and also the traditional dishes and local ingredients reflect the dominations and the passage of different civilizations. The typical dishes of Enna respect the ancient teachings handed down over the years.
One of the specialties of the area is the gateau all’ennese. This iconic dish has its roots in the tradition and agricultural history of the city. It is rice with saffron and caciocavallo di Enna, with the addition of hard-boiled eggs, minced beef, tomato sauce, peas and breadcrumbs. Another very appreciated specialty is the meat loaf with milk ennese.
This is in fact one of the traditional dishes that is still prepared today. As for desserts, the most famous recipe is that of buccellati. These are pastry cakes filled with cream. These are prepared mainly during holidays such as Christmas.
Copertina: Tmatic travel
