Enna, the place where Cicero once fought
Who knows! This small town at the 950-meter-high summit is remembered by a 1960 monument that honors the Roman lawyer who helped them with a lawsuit two thousand years ago.
Enna, the “navel” of Sicily — from its highest point, you can see half the island. Last time we told Cicero’s story; this time, let’s take a different angle: slip into the cracks of its stones and feel the warmth of history.
✨ Another way to experience Enna
Lombardy Castle — Sicily’s largest medieval fortress, expanded by the Normans in the 11th century. Six towers remain today. Standing on the walls overlooking the valley — the wind is so strong it’s hard to stand, but the view is absolutely worth it. The castle is partially under renovation, so it’s best to check if it’s open before you go.
The cathedral’s humble exterior and lavish interior — the outside is stone and mud, with an unassuming facade. Step inside and you’ll be amazed: wooden carved ceilings, Baroque columns, painted floor tiles, and bronze bas-reliefs. “How does such a treasure hide in this rundown town?” is the reaction of every visitor.
Marconi viewpoint — the best spot to capture sweeping valley shots, just a few minutes’ walk away. The fields, towns, and distant mountains of central Sicily spread out before you.
Hidden cliffside restaurant — a 5-minute walk from the cathedral, there’s a local favorite cliffside restaurant. Fresh, authentic Italian antipasti paired with Etna white wine, about 12 euros per person.
Cicero’s former residence monument — a 1960 plaque commemorates “Marcus Tullius Cicero, who once lived here.” Two thousand years later, a city still remembers him — that’s quite a legacy.
🗺️ Enna half-day/full-day itinerary
Half-day: Lombardy Castle (exterior + walls) → cathedral (focus on interior) → Marconi viewpoint → cliffside restaurant lunch
Full-day: same morning itinerary, then visit Morgantina archaeological site in the afternoon (1–2 hours, open hillside, bring sun protection)
🍜 Food
Bar dell’angolo enna near the cathedral offers clean, affordable Italian fast food; the cliffside restaurant Tagliere serves Italian ham and cheese antipasti paired with Etna white wine (about 12 euros per person).
📌 Tips
· Transportation: direct trains from Palermo/Catania, station name “Enna”; driving along country roads offers better scenery
· Parking: parking lot near the castle, no ZTL restrictions in the old town
· Tickets: cathedral is free; Lombardy Castle about 6 euros
· What to wear: non-slip shoes for slippery stone paths; bring a light jacket for the windy summit; sun protection for the open archaeological site
· Best time to visit: April–June and September–October to avoid the summer heat
Enna isn’t a trendy check-in spot; it’s the kind of place that makes you want to dig into history after your visit. A monument, a castle, a cliffside lunch — enough to savor for a long time 🌿