B&B IL PONTE - Aidone (En)

Home > Aidone & Morgantina

Aidone & Morgantina

Why visit Aidone

Aidone is a small town of 5000 inhabitants. It is 800 ft above sea level and its territory is full of history, culture and beautiful landscapes.

It is not far from the three lakes: Lake Ogliastro, Lake Olivo, and the best known Lake Pergusa.
It is surrounded by forests and protected areas, where there are trails suitable for long walks on foot, by bicycle or horse. It is located at the center of one of the most interesting archaeological sites in Sicily. There are the main sites: Morgantina and the Roman Villa of Piazza Armerina - both Heritage Sites of the UNESCO, as well as many other sites that range from the Bronze Age to the Byzantine Period – Sabbucina, Phylosophiana, Montagna di Marzo, Monte Navone and Monte Altesina.

Like Enna and Piazza Armerina, it is a medieval town which owes its actual setting to the Norman period. Of the same period is its dialect the “ Galloitalico”.

Its climate in spring and summer is amiable, far away from the hot temperatures of the near towns and daily life here runs quietly and rather safely.

Aidone: what to see

The historical centre of Aidone is worthy of a visit, preferably on foot. It is wonderful to lose oneself in the narrow lanes and then be surprised by astonishing views or by lovely monuments like the façade of the Church of St. Domenic. This church of the 14th century is characterized by an original diamond-shaped rustication, in white stone from Comiso, underlined by the baroque setting of sandstone. At the bottom of Via Roma is the Mother Church, dedicated to the patron San Lorenzo, and the ruins of the medieval castle, from here you can enjoy an all-round view of the central-eastern Sicily, from the mountains Erei up to the volcano Etna

Enchanting are the two small churches situated at the end of the winding Via Erbitea: Sant'Antonio e SS.Maria delle Grazie; on the other side of town, is the Church of St. Anna, with the beautiful Crucifix carved by Frate Umile from Petralia.
On the main square, named after Philip Cordova, is the Torre Adelasia. Its facade has three architectural orders: Norman, Baroque and Catalan. is the bell tower of the Church of St. Maria La Cava, who still maintains the apse of the Norman period. Inside there is the black statue of St. Philip, a great destination for a pilgrimage in the first days of May.
A walk to the "Villa", the public park, leads us on the square Torres Truppia, where there is the Regional Archaeological Museum of Morgantina.
Aidone around, in addition to the archaeological park of Morgantina, there are also: the Medieval Castle of Pietratagliata, Lake Ogliastro and large forests of pines, eucalyptus, oak and Mediterranean scrub.

Morgantina

One of the most interesting archaeological sites of Magna Grecia, Morgantina, was found in our territory during the 50s.
This is a vast archaeological park with settlements dating back from the Bronze Age, to the Greek Age and later to the Roman.
Its center, which winds from the great Agorà allows the visit of the entire Greek Hellenistic city, with its public buildings, religious, and private - the Stoai, the Ekklesiasteron, the Theater, the Sanctuary, the Grain stores, the Neighborhoods, with the regular pattern of roads and the many well preserved houses (the House of Greeting, the House of Ganimede on the eastern hill, the house Pappalardo, the arch-tank House and the House of the Judge on the hill to the west).
In summer the theater is seat to suggestive, night-time, classical representations .
In August there is a performance in costume of "Morgantina rivive".

Many rests found in the entire archaeological area of Morgantina are exhibited in the Regional Archaeological Museum in Aidone, hosted by the Church and Convent of St. Francesco known as “I Cappuccini”.
La Venere di Morgantina
The subsoil of Morgantina has attracted many "tombaroli" (tomb raiders), who have plundered the site of many precious remains that, through the black market, have also reached the museums overseas, particularly Americans. The Ministry of Cultural Heritage, after a long negotiation, was obtained from the Paul Getty Museum in Malibu, California, restitution, among other things, the statue known as the "Venus of Morgantina", which now must return as soon as its original site.

Piazza Armerina and the Roman Villa

Very close to Aidone are the Piazza Armerina with its historical center rich of palaces and churches, well-rooted in the original Medieval, and throughout the world known for its Roman Villa, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Presents the biggest and most interesting mosaic floor of the Roman imperial period.
Every year in mid-August, on the occasion of the celebrations in honor of Our Lady of Victories, takes place the famous Palio of the Normans, medieval joust, with parades in medieval costume. The event recalls the donation of the banner of Our Lady given by Count Roger the city because it has been venerated in the Cathedral.

Enna and its Province

The city of Enna and its province are certainly worthy of a couple of days of stay.
Enna is the capital of the province the highest in Italy, you can visit the Castello di Lombardia, the Torre and the Villa Frederick II, the Cathedral, the Church of San Francesco, the Alessi Museum and the Archaeological Museum.
Of the towns of the province which deserve a visit, are certainly Nicosia, Sperlinga, with its beautiful castle carved into the rock, Pietraperzia, Villarosa (with its museum of rural culture and mining), Centuripe with its Archaeological Museum, which houses a remarkable collection of pottery dating back to Roman times.
Moreover, there is a significant natural heritage, the province is rich in lakes, parks and protected areas.