Enna / Pergusa

Hotel Riviera ***

Enna is located on a terrace, one thousand meters high, right in the center of the island, offering to the visitors suggestive views. It is an archaeological and agricultural center. Formerly Enna was occupied by the Syracusans, by the Carthaginians and by the Romans. From the 2^nd century B.C., the town had a long period of decline. Conquered by the Arabs in 859, it began to re-flourish under the Normans becoming one of the biggest cultural and political centers on the island. Reaching its maximum splendor in the 17^th century, Enna began to decay, but with the unification of Italy in 1860, it partially regained its force.

There are many monuments to visit: the Rock of Ceres and the remains of the temple with the same name; the medieval Castle of Lombardy, afterwards transformed into a theatre; the Tower of Frederick 1^st of Swabia from the 8^th century, with angular columns and umbrella vaults; 

the Pollicanni Palace dating from 1400, in Catalan style, with a baroque portal and Gothic drip-stone; the Alessi Museum with his archaeological and numismatical collection together with bronze finds, pieces of pottery and printed matters. 

 Another must is "The Greatest Mural in the World". On the hill of "Usta Ceres", at a height of 100 meters, there is an abandoned tufa quarry where you will find the largest mural painting in the world. It covers a surface of about 780 m². This mural was made by Fausto De Marinis who finished this work at the end of '81 after six months of hard work.