Enna (Sicily)

Enna is a city located roughly at the center of Sicily, southern Italy, in the province of Enna, towering above the surrounding countryside. At 931 m (3,054 ft) above sea level, Enna is the highest Italian provincial capital. The Castello di Lombardìa (Lombardy Castle) is perhaps the most important example of military architecture in Sicily. It was built by Sicanians, rebuilt by Frederick II of Sicily, and restructured under Frederick II of Aragon. It is one of the largest and most ancient edifices in Italy, with an area of some 26,000 m2 (280,000 sq ft). Lake Pergusa lies between a group of mountains in the chain of Erei, about 5 km from Enna. It is part of an important migratory flyway for many species of birds. The Pergusa nature reserve also has numerous species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Near Pergusa lake is the archaeological site known as Cozzo Matrice. These are the remains of an ancient prehistoric fortified village, with walls dating about 8000 BC. Other remains, dating to more than 2000 years ago, are a sacred citadel, a rich necropolis, and the remains of an ancient temple dedicated to Demeter. Pergusa is strongly linked to the myth of the Greek Persephone, Demeter's daughter, who was kidnapped from here by Pluto and taken to Hades, the underworld, for part of the year. From that captivity, seasons arose.