Enna

From Free net encyclopedia

Enna, the ancient Henna, is located in the center of Sicily in the Province of Enna, towering above the surrounding countryside. It has earned a few nicknames, such as "belvedere" (panoramic viewpoint) or the "ombelico" (navel) of Sicily.

1 History
2 Monuments and sites
3 Pergusa lake and near areas
4 External links

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History

The colony of Henna was founded on this high plateau in 664 BC by colonists from Gela eager to exploit the area's agricultural resources. In 397 BC the town fell to Dionysius of Syracuse and it remained in Syracusan hands until the 3rd century BC when it entered the orbit of Roman power. In 859 AD it was the turn of the Saracens, who had to sneak in one by one through a swer to breach the town's hardy defenses.

The name was then altered into Castrogiovanni, by which it was known until 1927, when it was changed back to Enna by Mussolini. Today, the town is still important as an agricultural center.

Enna is now an important centre in archeological and educational studies. University of Enna was founded in 2004.

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Monuments and sites

Template:CommonsThe most important monuments are: Castello di Lombardia, perhaps the main castle in Sicily, the Duomo, an impressive cathedral, Torre di Federico, an octagonal ancient tower where the Sicilian Empereor Federico II lived, the Municipal Library placed in San Francesco building.

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Pergusa lake and near areas

Lake Pergusa is set between a group of mountains in the chain of Erei, and it's 5 km from Enna. It is a vital place in the migratory current of lots of birds. In addition to birds, which are certainly the protagonists of the Pergusa nature reserve, here there are also interesing species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Around the lake, there's the most important racing track of Southern Italy, the Autodromo di Pergusa, that hosted international competition and events, such as Formula 1, Formula 3000 and a Ferrari Festival with Michael Schumacher; near Pergusa lake, finally, there are an archeological site, know as Cozzo Matrice, and an important forest and green area, Selva Pergusina (that means "Pergusa's Wood"). In Cozzo Matrice you can find a sacred citadel, rich necroplises, and the most important temple dedicated to Kore in Italy, during the times of Romans.

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