Things to do in Assoro Italy – what to see attractions and activities

The construction dates back to the 14th century above an already existing structure. What is left of the castle today are two different structures. The first is the walls with an irregular perimeter. Then there are also the towers, the first one that is located on the southwest corner, the second that heads towards a gap in the boundary wall and then the third that follows another wall gap about 15m long. Inside the building is also the church of San Filippo, the facade of which is rather recent.

It is the symbol of the city, built on 26000 square meters. It is one of the greatest of the era. The name comes from a garrison of Lombard soldiers placed to defend the castle. The location of the castle is in the foreground and the city was born around it. Under the fortification, the Fortress of Ceres already existed, which was the cult of the Goddess of the Mass. In 1923, the castle also served as a prison. For almost half a century, the structure was the headquarters of the City Opera House.

Its porch is in Gothic-Catalan style, dating back to the fifteenth century.Inside you can find a valuable marble icon of the sixteenth century by the Carrara sculptor Giuliano Mancino and paintings by Saverio Marchese and many beautiful statues

The Cathedral of Nicosia was founded in 1856 by Monsignor Milana and a tombstone placed at the entrance of the sacristy attests to its occurrence. It was dedicated to St. Nicholas of Bari and represents the most significant architectural work of the Sicilian city. The main facade has a greater portal of Gothic-Norman style, where there are also Romanesque motifs such as acanthus leaves and twisted ropes. The Portico, on the other hand, dates back to the end of the fifteenth century and is the work of the sculptors of Palermo Gabriele De Battista and Andra Mancino.

The Bell Tower is an excellent example of Gothic-Norman architecture of the Sicily region and is part of the Cathedral of Nicosia. It was recently rebuilt as long ago it was damaged by lightning at the top.

The church has three naves.Inside there are two paintings of 1595 by the Zoppo di Gangi, a painting by Borremans and baptismal font, of which the basis is Roman.

The Church of SS. Salvatore was built between the 11th and 12th centuries on a majestic and mighty fortress of Quartzarenite that dominates the town of Nicosia. The building covers an area of about three hundred square meters and consists of a single nave, a chapel dedicated to Santa Rita and the rooms of the sacristy arranged on two elevations. Works from the 17th century are preserved within the Church, such as the “Madonna of Consolation” by Don Antonino Cardella and the “Climb to Calvary” by Nicola Mirabella.

The Basilica of S. Maria Maggiore of Nicosia was built in 1767 on the place where the original Basilica was previously built in the Norman era and destroyed in 1757 during a landslide. The structure of the building has a splendid Baroque portal and the interior is dominated by the six-story monumental work “Cona” by Antonello Gagini built in 1511. There are also historical materials such as the so-called Chair by Charles V, in which the emperor sat down in his visit to Nicosia in 1535.

Another unusual museum. Presents the paintings of the greatest Sicilian artists or who worked in Sicily from the fifteenth to the twentieth century, accompanied and described by purposefully composed soundtracks.

The Museum presents numerous pieces of goldsmiths from the 13th century until 800. Among the pieces we can name necklaces, pendants, bracelets worked in precious stones such as rubies, sapphires and diamonds. The treasure has a strong piece like the Crown of Mary SS of the Visitation, patroness of the city. The archaeological collection boasts Egyptian vases up to the pieces depicting the goddess Kore and the vast monetary collection with more than 4000 Greek, Roman and Sicilian coins.

The Church of San Michele has historical news dating back to the fourteenth century. It was built at the behest of Count Roger and donated to the Abbot of the Monastery of Patti. The structure has two round apses and elegant frames. The windows were originally opened but over time they were closed. The façade seems to date back to the eighteenth century; in a prominent position we find the fifteenth-century tower consisting of three floors.

The building of the XIV century with wooden ceilings and rich stucco decorations, a beautiful wooden choir from the late sixteenth, paintings of the Flemish Borremans and of Paladini in the sanctuary.

The Castle of Nicosia is located in the highest part of the city. The structure consisted of 4 towers where all the soldiers lived. The building was built in such a way that it was protected from enemies. Outside the walls there were small buildings that were used to warn the inhabitants of dangers. In 1065 the building was purchased by Count Roger who made it a fortress. Today there are few things left of the castle that prove its existence.

Inside, of great value, two oils,one depicting Our Lady of Valverde and one Our Lady of Graces,two statues, one of St. Joseph and the other of Mother Mary holding the Infant Jesus, banners, robes embroidered in gold and vestments.

Dates back to the seventeenth century. presents a façade in baroque style. Its single nave, houses paintings of remarkable workmanship, the statue of the Holy Family and the silver frontal altar

Place of worship in a time prior to city's birth. It is the largest of the necropolis perched at the foot of the mountain on which Enna is.

The museum is located in Palazzo Varisano, built from the 18th century. Inside there is a large collection of elements from the prehistoric, medieval and classical periods, coming from areas around the city, from several private collections and transfers from museums in the region. All items are well arranged according to the characteristics. The museum is open to the public.

A special museum that contains clay thumbnails of the 15 Enna brotherhoods, each with typical clothes and church membership. Each niche is flanked by a brief history of the Brotherhood.

What remained of the Church of St. John the Baptist. Restored in the '60s and '70s, has a construction of a small Arabic Norman dome in place of the conical spire in majolica that originally surmounted it.

The octagonal tower built under Frederick II of Swabia, which is dominant in the middle of a small public garden.

On top of the hill, where the temple dedicated to the goddess of wheat stands, you can enjoy a beautiful view all around and on Calascibetta Enna

The Sperlinga Castle was built according to medieval architecture. It was initially used as a sacred place by the inhabitants of the city. During the Byzantine period, the Castle underwent some changes and was transformed into a military garrison.

The Medieval Castle consists of a set of underground spaces located to the east of the rocky coast and on the western slope of the cliff. The tower and other masonry environments give the structure the idea of a fortress. You have access to the castle through a narrow path cut into the rock, and then reach two accesses: a portal and a staircase of which today only a trace remains in the masonry.