Piazza Armerina, a walk through the history of the Arabs and Normans and Greek mosaics
Have you ever heard of Piazza Armerina? This is a well-known location in the province of Enna. Its fame is mainly due to the presence of the marvelous Villa Romana del Casale, a building of historical and artistic value that has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.
This town lies in the southern Erei Mountains, with a medieval urban layout and a Baroque/Norman historic center. Another designation by which it is many times recognized is the “city of mosaics.”
To begin, a little history on Piazza Armerina.
The origins of this town are very old. From the various findings on Mount Navone, not far from the settlement, we can guess the presence of an inhabited center as early as the Age of theAncient Greece, presumably a sub-colony of Gela.
On the history of Piazza Armerina, where it is currently located, we are only certain of its Norman origin, thanks to the reference on the construction of the city that took place at the hands of William II in 1163. For the period prior to the founding, there are several hypotheses and legends about a village called Plutia, of Roman origin, but there is no classical source of its name. In some Muslim sources, people who found residence in Sicily, there is the Arabic name of this city that they pronounced Iblâtasa or Iblâtana, which was renamed by the Normans into Placia or Platsa.
What to see if you are passing through Piazza Armerina?
A very special place to seeis the Villa of Wonders, which houses a private museum. The structure dates back to the 18th century and houses the collection of the Cammarata family. At the highest part of the city, however, stands the Cathedral, a large building that took more than a century to complete.
Continuing the tour, you can admire the Trigona Palace of the Floresta, built during the reign of King Martin I. Instead, on the southern side of the city is the Aragonese Castle, dating back to the 16th century. In addition, during the same period, the city was enriched by the church of St. Roch, known as
Fundrò.
Should you find yourself in Piazza Armerina in August, more specifically in the days close to Ferragosto, this is when the most important event of the year is present, namely the Norman Palio, an ancient event where the city prepares to relive a glorious past, full of historical events that are now its tourist attraction.
We discover the main attraction: the mosaics of Villa Romana del Casale
The main attraction is definitely the Villa Romana del Casale, a typical example of a luxury residence Roman late-imperial. In this place there are beautiful mosaic floors, covering an area of about 3500 square meters, divided into 60 rooms. Within them, each mosaic is designed for the purpose of the room it fills. And thanks to these artifacts, it is possible to reconstruct the daily life of the Romans, especially the wealthier classes.
There are some mosaics very famous, such as one depicting some maidens in an ancient version of the bikini. A detail that shows us that already the Greeks and Romans made use of this type of swimsuit, an ideal outfit on certain occasions.
Another notable example is the Hall of the Little Hunt, with scenes that seem to throb with life. Horses that are depicted with incredible dynamism, dogs that really seem to be searching for game, and deer trying to escape from hunters. Exactly like a picture book of how to go hunting, but at the same time a proud account of the rituals surrounding it.
In addition to giving us a better understanding of the customs and traditions of the time, the mosaics are also indicative of a distinct refinement of theart In ancient Rome. This was mainly due to the accuracy with which the details of the three-dimensionality of the figures were worked on, by means of the study of shadows. A focus that was, by the end of the Empire, forgotten, as seen in the frontal crushed representations of the figures, only to be recovered centuries later.
What else to add, all that remains is to take a dip among these wonders?
Giulia Nari