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Piazza Armerina

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Comune di Piazza Armerina
Comune
Location of {{{name}}}
Map
CountryItaly
RegionSicily
ProvinceEnna (EN)
FrazioniFloristella, Grottacalda, Polleri, Santa Croce, Ileano, Azzolina, Farrugio, Serrafina
Government
 • MayorCarmelo Nigrelli (since ?, 2008)
Area
[1]
 • Total
302 km2 (117 sq mi)
Elevation
697 m (2,287 ft)
Population
 (2001)[2]
 • Total
21,040
 • Density70/km2 (180/sq mi)
DemonymPiazzesi
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
94015
Dialing code0935
Patron saintSanta Maria della Vittoria
Saint dayAugust 15
WebsiteComune di Piazza Armerina
The Cathedral of Piazza Armerina.

Piazza Armerina (Sicilian: Ciazza) is an Italian comune in the province of Enna of the autonomous island region of Sicily.

Panorama of Piazza Armerina with the commanding cathedral.

History

The city of Piazza (as it was called before 1862) began during the Norman domination in Sicily (11th century), but the area was inhabited since prehistoric times. The city was flourishing also during Roman times, as showed by the notable mosaics at the patrician Villa Romana del Casale.

Main sights

The town is famous chiefly for its Roman mosaics in the Villa Romana del Casale, about 3 km. to the southwest. It has a range of significant architecture dating from medieval through the 18th century. The discovery and excavation of the well-preserved, highly refined mosaics has helped attract tourists.

The medieval history of the city is manifest in some of its houses, which show Norman or Gothic architecture. The main landmarks include a range of architectural styles:

  • The massive Baroque Cathedral of Piazza Armerina (17th-18th century), built on the 15th-century foundations of a former church, from which the bell tower was taken and reused.[3]. Also original to the 15th c. church are the Catalan-Gothic style windows on the left side. The dome dates from 1768. The façade has a notable portal with spiral columns by Leonardo De Luca. The interior, with a single large nave, houses the Madonna della Vittoria (Madonna of the Victory). The Byzantine icon is traditionally associated with the banner donated by the Pope to Roger I of Sicily during the Council of Melfi. The cathedral has an unusual two-sided crucifix by an unknown artist. The Diocesan Museum holds reliquiaries, articles of silverware, monstrances and other religious art works.
  • The nearby Palazzo Trigona, house of the wealthy family who commissioned the church.
  • The Church of Fundrò, known also as St. Roch, with a carved tufa portal.
  • The nearby Palazzo di Città (1613), characterized by a fresco ceiling by Salvatore Martorana.
  • The massive Aragonese Castle (1392-96). It is square in shape, with square towers.
  • The church of San Giovanni Evangelista (14th century), with an interior covered with frescos by Guglielmo Borremans and assistants.
  • The baroque church of S. Anna (18th century), with its original sinuos facade inspired by the buildings of Borromini.
  • The church of St. Martin of Tours (1163)
  • The church of Santa Maria di Gesù (16th century), now abandoned.

Outside the city is the ancient Church of the Priorato di Sant'Andrea (1096), founded by Count Simon of Butera, a nephew of Roger I. It has important medieval frescoes.

Culture

Piazza Armerina holds an annual Palio dei Normanni, a re-enactment in costume of the entrance of the Norman Count Roger I to the city. It takes place on 14-August 15.

Politics, without sources

Piazza Armerina is known for its politically conscious youths and students. The two main political orientations in Piazza Armerina are "Fascism" or "Communism". Anarchism is a minor movement that uses vandalism and graffiti as propaganda. Piazza Armerina had been a predominantly "right-wing" comune; however, over the years, it has become more associated with the left after citizens learned that right-wingers were taking money away from the comune.

The current mayor Carmelo Nigrelli is a "left-wing" figure who contributed his wages to the community for the betterment of the people. Communist and Socialist ideas have become more accepted as workers, peasants and students have become more class-conscious. Class plays an important role in who people vote for in elections. Fascist elements are rapidly disintegrating and losing popular support. Social-democracy and socialism are on the political agenda for the people of Piazza Armerina.[citation needed]

Language

Piazza Armerina is one of the so-called "Lombardic" communes of Sicily, as its dialect differs notably from that of the neighbouring region. This is due to the destruction of the old Piazza by king William I of Sicily, and the subsequent repopulation by William II (according to other scholars, during the slightly later age of Frederick II) with colonists coming from "Lombard" regions of northern Italy, especially from Monferrato and Piacenza.

References

  1. ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  3. ^ Piazza Armerina

Additional reading

  • Sicily and Its Islands, Ugo La Rosa, Ed., 1993.

References


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