Enna, Sicily
Overview
Discover Enna: Private Tours, Experiences & Custom Travel
The town of Enna is located almost dead center in the middle of the region of Sicily and if you are visiting Piazza Armerina, you will most likely stay here since this is one of the area's most comfortable places to stay.
Enna was initially settled by the Siculi tribe one of the three indigenous tribes who had settled in Sicily. prior to the arrival of the Greeks (the others being the Elami and the Secani), Enna sits high above the surrounding countryside. It is the capital of the Province of Enna, and, at about 1000 meters, it is the highest capital city in the entire country of Italy.
Commanding the heights as it does, the city has been of strategic importance from the first days of its habitation, possibly as early as 1200 BC. It's strategic location resulted in it being much desired by a succession of warring empires. As a result the city and its principal buildings have been been repeatedly destroyed, rebuilt, refortified, replaced and refurbished, even up to recent times, giving the city a multi-layered, long-lived in look and feel.
The history of the city, of course, parallels that of the Island of Sicily in all important respects with rule passing from Greeks to Romans to Byzantines to Arabs to Normans, then to the Spanish and French. Sicily, of course, was integrated into what became the modern state of Italy in 1860.
Today, of course, the city of Enna offers travelers jaw-dropping views of Sicily's interior, all the way to Mount Etna on its eastern side. In and near the city itself are other attractions, including strolling the streets and piazzas of the centro storico - the historical cente, which largely follows Via Roma from its high point in the northeast where one finds Enna's most impressive ancient building, the Castello di Lombardia.
The castle was built in the late 13th or very early 14th century by Frederick III on existing fortifications built by previous occupiers, some think as a summer residence. Only 6 of its original 20 towers remain, the best preserved being the Torre Pisana, probably the highest of the original towers. Climb its stairs to take in incredible views of the Dittaino valley below.
The castle's irregular shape encompasses three separately walled spaces, one, the courtyard, now used by a summer theater group, another a green park and the latter an area overlooked by what were once the royal apartments and a Bishop's chapel. Below ground - various prisons in which you would not want to have been tossed and tortured. Archaelogical "digs" still take place in the complex.
The Duomo - or Cathedral - of Enna dates to the early 13th century. It has been destroyed and rebuilt and renovated several times so incororates features from almost every architectural period from Romanesque to Gothic to Baroque. Its facade, carved largely out of yellow tufa is of the latter period.
The Cathedral's campanile - or bell tower - nicely decorated to reduce its massiveness looms above the main portal. The nave is separated from its two side aisles with soaring Corinthian columns. There are lovely works by lesser known artists such as Borremans and Paladini, and decorative stucco from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Much of the ancient treasure of the Cathedral, including a diamond studded crown, the "Crown of the Virgin", has made its way into the extensive collection of the nearby Alessi Museum. Those who also enjoy an archaeological approach to history will enjoy the Archaeological Museum housed in the Palazzo Varisano, which has artifacts from around the entire Province of Enna dating back to the 6th century BC.
Three other churches bear mentioning: First, down the Via Roma from the castello, the Chiesa San Francesco, with a painted cross from the 15th century in its interior, and a tower dating from the same period that was part of the city's fortifications. The Church overlooks Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, Enna's principal gathering place, venue of the evening passeggiata. Here you will also find a low wall sitting high above the valleys below where you can think romantic, or other out-of-body thoughts.
Second, Chiesa San Giovani, in Piazza Coppola, is notable mostly for a bell tower that features pointed arches, beautiful archivolts and a mullioned window with decorations suggestive of Catalan influence. Lastly, Chiesa di San Tommaso, from the 14th and 15th centuries has many interesting features.
The city was once surrounded by walls, and entrance was gained through one of seven gates, Porta Janniscuru, in the Fundrisi quarter being the only one left. Outside the gate, the area is permeated by grottoes which at one time were part of an extensive necropolis - a city of the dead.
In Piazza Crispi there is a copy of the Rape of Persephone by Bernini - significant because according to myth, Persephone was abducted from the shores of nearby Lake Pergusa.
Slightly further down via Roma on Enna's southern flank, the Torre Fredrico, like the tower of the Chiesa San Francesco, and the Castle, part of the cities medieval fortifications.
So, that's mostly "it" about Enna, a city whose location at the top of central Sicily is its most compelling feature. Combined with visits to nearby Piazza Armerina and Morgantina, it is a more than worthy focus of the traveler's attention.
Written by Jesse Andrews, June 2016
Enna in pictures
Gallery
A few frames from our own trips. The rest are in the gallery below.
Enna, Sicily
Driver to Enna in Sicily
Ennas Incredible Cathedral
Map
Get your bearings before you go
Multi-Day Holidays Tours
Whole journeys, planned end to end
Exploring the 1 Euro Houses and Surrounding Areas in Sicily September 10-18, 2022
This unique adventure through Sicily will showcase some of the highlights of this unique island as we meet with local officials and experience towns which are welcoming visitors to restore houses that can be purchased for 1 Euro. We will show you th...
Small Group
8 Days / 7 Nights
Private & Small Group Tours in Enna
Days out with people who know the way
Private Tour of Ravenna
Explore the stunning 6th-century mosaics of the city with the help of a private guide.
Private
5 Hours
Photo Gallery
Explore Towns and Cities in Sicily
Every town here has its own personality. We know them by name.
Aeolian Islands
Agrigento
Castellammare del Golfo
Catania
Cefalu
Enna
Erice
Forza D'Agro
Giardini Naxos
Island of Favignana
Island of Ustica
Marsala
Messina
Modica
Mondello
Monreale
Noto
Palermo
Pantelleria Island
Piazza Armerina
Porticello
Ragusa
San Vito Lo Capo
Savoca
Scala dei Turchi
Sciacca
Scopello
Segesta
Selinunte
Siracusa
Taormina
Termini Imerese
Tindari
Trapani
Our Featured Properties
Stays we picked one by one
Italy,Sicily
Italy,Sicily
Italy,Sicily
Italy,Sicily,Marsala
Italy,Sicily
Italy,Sicily,Palermo
Italy,Sicily
Italy,Sicily,Mondello
Italy,Sicily,Trapani
Italy,Sicily
Popular Transfer Routes in Enna
The rides our guests ask for most, with a driver who knows the way.
Italy Vacation Specialists provides licensed private transfer services throughout Italy, including Enna and surrounding areas. With over 20 years of experience, our professional English-speaking drivers offer both Business Class and Luxury Class vehicles for airport transfers, city-to-city rides, and full-day chauffeur services. All vehicles are fully insured, well-maintained, and operated by vetted local drivers who know the roads, traffic patterns, and best routes across the region.
Rome
Florence
Private Transfer
Contact us
for pricing
Rome
Naples
Private Transfer
Contact us
for pricing
Rome
Venice
Private Transfer
Contact us
for pricing
Florence
Venice
Private Transfer
Contact us
for pricing
Milan
Venice
Private Transfer
Contact us
for pricing
Naples
Amalfi
Private Transfer
Contact us
for pricing
Rome
Amalfi
Private Transfer
Contact us
for pricing
Milan
Lake Como
Private Transfer
Contact us
for pricing
Florence
Siena
Private Transfer
Contact us
for pricing
Naples
Sorrento
Private Transfer
Contact us
for pricing
Every journey is different. Tell us where you need to go.
Request a Transfer QuoteQuick Enquiry Form
Tell us about your dream trip and we'll craft the perfect itinerary for you.
In their words
Stories That Stay With You
Here's what our guests share about their unforgettable journeys
From the journal
IVS Magazine
Latest
8 June 2026
Visiting Rome During a Heat Wave? Read This Before You Go
Read the piece
Plan it with us
For customized holidays and expert advice for travel in Italy and the Mediterranean, Get in touch with your travel agent or contact us via our.
-
Direct In Italy: +39 375 823 5314
-
Toll Free: 1-866-779-2565