Inside of Sicily, as if to stop mining and arid nature of the central plateau, is Piazza Armerina: ocher spread like a brush between the light green hills of Erei. One of the main resorts on the island, with over twenty-two thousand inhabitants and a territory of about thirty thousand acres set in a beautiful scenery and archaeological environment.
The city's history is known from setting up in Norman Sicily revealed by the numerous works of art, traditions, and chronicles of the time, even from Gallo-Italic dialect characteristic of the Piazza Armerina. We know that such a war between Christians and Saracens, revolt suppressed by force of arms, the destruction of the old city and rebuild it around the end of the twelfth century.
In subsequent centuries, Piazza Armerina has seen all the historical events in Sicily: the domination of the Swabian, Angevin and that the Aragonese, the Spanish vice-royalty, the Bourbon, the Risorgimento, and finally the more recent history where the elderly are still witnesses. But is the city itself that keeps his past to reveal more attentive to visitors, who, on a trip back to the time, will be enchanted in front of the splendor of the churches and monuments and the beautiful colors of the mosaics of Villa Romana del Casale.
And the magic of past centuries will involve walking the streets of the old town, climb between the medieval streets, admiring not be surprised if the striking size of the cathedral that dominates the city, the elegance of the Palazzo Trigona and severity of the Castello Aragonese.
Discover the charm of getting lost in the dense and fascinating ups and downs of streets and alleys in search of the elegant palaces and churches that hide behind every corner, so you can only say that I have visited Piazza Armerina.
Villa Romana del Casale - Mosaics
Just three kilometers from the center, taking the road that leads from Piazza Armerina to Barrafranca, is the most extraordinary example of the Roman architecture: The Villa Romana del Casale and its splendid mosaics.
A monument for which the city has gained fame throughout the archaeological world and that is a unique tastes and customs of the Roman period.
The villa dates from the early fourth century and is divided into three large groups of rooms, patios, spas and peristyle.
The most important element of the complex is undoubtedly made up of the floor mosaics: a size (approximately 3,500 square feet) and a variety to have no equal in the world.
Of particular interest are the mosaics depicting the four seasons, the Circus Maximus, the Labours of Hercules, and the famous girl in a bikini, but also other scenes such as hunting and fishing reach sublime moments of mosaic art.
Events
The most important is undoubtedly that of "Palio dei Normanni", which takes place on 12, 13 and August 14 of each year to celebrate the liberation of Sicily from the Saracens by Roger the Norman.
The "Palio dei Normanni" officially begins on the afternoon of August 12, with the delivery of weapons and the blessing of the Knights jousters and neighborhoods in the Cathedral.
The second day included more than three hundred on foot and horseback riding clothes costumes come to life with a historic carousel troops in ancient Pluta, while the next day at the Stadium since the Palio is held, a tournament which attended by the knights of the four districts of the city.
Festivals and Traditions
Among the many traditions is particularly strong on 3 May that, going back to the tradition of pagan rites of spring, is celebrated with a pilgrimage to that country from the Sanctuary of the Old Town Square and finishes with a pleasant outing in the district address. Finally, in June there is the manifestation of the "flowering balconies and courtyards". The old town is lit with light and color: a contest rewards the best decorated balconies and courtyards, art exhibits, crafts and antiques are arranged in the palaces of the old city, between the Sicilian and floats parade through the city streets, at night, in the the most beautiful places of the old town you can attend performances and folk music.
